I have ground to a halt on trying to replicate quite a simple thing in FM into a data module. (I know FM isn't going anywhere, but when you want navigation paths you have to use DMs).

In FM the join editor has the handy expression editor. Within an FM model i have a join along the lines of...

[Generic Dimension].[Key] in ( [Fact Table].[Calendar Key_1], [Fact Table].[Calendar Key_2] )

Quite a simple join.   I just can't figure out any way of doing this kind of join in DMs. And changing the existing data source isn't really possible.

Within DMs, when you create a filter you get the option to either use the "I'm a beginner" interface, or there is an option to use an expression editor. When you create a calculation in a DM there is an expression editor. So it's not like the concept of an expression is beyond DMs.  You're just not trusted to use an expression when you create a join. Unless I am missing something...

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Marc Reed
Reporting Lead
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In Data Modules, you either use the "beginner interface" or you right out add a "Table using SQL ...". The latter gives you everything, except any kind of a modern, convenient, graphical user interface. All you can do is posting a request for  improvements, I guess.

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Thomas Wolf
BI-Manager
Techniker Krankenkasse
Hamburg
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I think that's part of my point. There are a few places in DM where users are trusted to type stuff in: Filters, Expressions, even SQL! Yet when it comes to joins, DM assumes that no one knows how a join expression could possibly be hand written and must be authored using the user interface that is very restricted. This is one area where until Data Modules can do the same types of joins as FM we have to revert back to FM.

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Marc Reed
Reporting Lead
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Original Message:
Sent: Thu March 06, 2025 09:54 AM
From: Thomas Wolf
Subject: Unable to replicate Fm joins in Data Modules

In Data Modules, you either use the "beginner interface" or you right out add a "Table using SQL ...". The latter gives you everything, except any kind of a modern, convenient, graphical user interface. All you can do is posting a request for  improvements, I guess.

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Thomas Wolf
BI-Manager
Techniker Krankenkasse
Hamburg
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