Analytics is entering a new era with the introduction of translytical capabilities—an innovative fusion of transactional and analytical functionalities. Microsoft’s Fabric platform is leading this revolution, transforming Power BI from a static, data vizualisation platform into a dynamic data app that bridges data insights and operational actions.
With the introduction of Databases and Mirroring in Fabric, we can now manage both operational and analytical databases within a single platform. This creates endless possibilities for seamless data integration and real-time analytics, enabling the businesses to drive more informed decision-making and optimize their operations.
Traditionally, analytic platforms have relied on data synchronized from operational systems, often causing delays in decision-making. Translytical apps address this challenge, enabling users to get insights from their operational databases directly from their Power BI Reports and as well take actions, make relevant data updates based on the insights. Imagine applying discounts, adjusting forecasts, or managing inventory—all from a single interface without switching systems.
Image Source: Microsoft Ignite 2024, “Microsoft Fabric: What’s New and What’s Next,” Microsoft.
Data functions in Power BI
We can now create User Defined Functions in Fabric to update the database and assign the function in Power BI. So, the end users can update the data in the database from Power BI itself. The translytical feature has now made this very simple and straightforward. This eliminates the need for Power Apps, Power Automate, REST APIs, and / or custom visuals for write-back functionality, automatically refreshing the dataset and report, and reloading the report pages after the write-back in Power BI.
- Create the UDF in Fabric to update the data
Image Source: Microsoft Ignite 2024, “Microsoft Fabric: What’s New and What’s Next,” Microsoft.
Image Source: Microsoft Ignite 2024, “Microsoft Fabric: What’s New and What’s Next,” Microsoft.
2. Assign the UDF to a button in Power BI
For example, we can select High-Risk Opportunities in a report and decide to offer a 30% discount to convert them into sales. After entering the discount value and adding a note, we can click Submit. This will update the database in real-time and immediately refresh the report to reflect the changes.
Image Source: Microsoft Ignite 2024, “Microsoft Fabric: What’s New and What’s Next,” Microsoft.
Few use cases:
- Healthcare
Translytical apps enable real-time updates to patient records, billing information, or treatment plans directly from analytical dashboards. For example, medical professionals can update patient status or medication dosages while reviewing trends and forecasting healthcare needs. This real-time integration ensures that patient care decisions are based on the most current data. - Banking
Can use Translytical apps for tasks such as credit scoring and approvals, loan processing, fraud detection, and real-time risk management. A financial analyst could update customer risk profiles or approve a transaction directly from a Power BI report. - Sales and Marketing
Update opportunities, adjust pricing and discounts, or update customer information in real-time. Sales teams can modify the status of deals or add notes to customer interactions directly within the dashboard, improving collaboration and accelerating the sales cycle. - Inventory Management
Companies can use Translytical apps to dynamically adjust inventory levels, update reorder points, and trigger restocking processes from within the analytics interface. - Finance
Users can approve transactions, update budgets, reconcile transactions, and forecast cash flows instantly. Financial teams can adjust projections based on new insights or real-time data from operations, leading to more accurate financial planning and quicker responses to market fluctuations.
Why it matters?
Amir Netz, CTO and Technical Fellow, Microsoft Fabric describes this as the “biggest upgrade to Power BI since its inception,” and for good reason. By merging analytics with operational functionality, translytical apps transform Power BI into a dynamic platform that bridges the gap between insights and actions. This capability redefines BI, removing the divide between insights and execution. Businesses can now:
- Respond faster to changing conditions with real-time updates.
- Reduce inefficiencies and manual errors through integrated workflows.
- Empower teams to act on insights without relying on external systems.
Risks of Translytical apps and ensuring safe implementation
While translytical apps offer groundbreaking benefits, they also introduce challenges that require careful management. Direct database manipulation through Power BI can lead to errors or inconsistencies, potentially disrupting critical processes or causing data loss if not properly controlled. Additionally, this functionality expands the attack surface, increasing security risks.
To mitigate these risks, we must enforce robust governance with clear policies, and carefully implement user permissions and role-based access controls to prevent unauthorized changes and maintain data integrity. Workflows should be tested in staging environments, validation and error handling are critical to maintaining data accuracy.
It will be interesting to see how Microsoft incorporates features like audit logs, data recovery, and enhanced input validation to address these challenges.
Ready to elevate your data and analytics?
The Ignite 2024 updates reflect Microsoft’s commitment to innovation, at Ascendion our goal is to ensure that these advancements translate into real business success. From strategic planning to flawless execution and continuous optimization, we help enterprises unlock the full potential of Microsoft Fabric.
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References: Microsoft Ignite 2024, “Microsoft Fabric: What’s New and What’s Next,” Microsoft.
