Daily DAX : Day 463 INFO.VIEW.TABLES

DAX Function: INFO.VIEW.TABLES()

INFO.VIEW.TABLES is a DAX function in Power BI (introduced around late 2024) that returns a table containing metadata about all tables in your semantic model.It is part of the more user-friendly INFO.VIEW family of functions (compared to the older INFO.* functions), and — crucially — can be used inside calculated tables, measures, and columns (unlike most plain INFO functions).

Main Use Case

The primary and most powerful use case is automatic model self-documentation. You create one or more calculated tables that list:

  • All tables in the model
  • Their properties (name, description, storage mode, whether it's a calculated table, calculation group, date table, etc.)
  • Hidden/visible status, row count hints, etc.


→ The documentation stays up-to-date automatically every time the model refreshes.

Very useful for:

  • Large team / enterprise models
  • Handover to other developers
  • Governance & auditing
  • Training new team members
  • Finding hidden/orphaned tables
  • Quickly checking storage modes (Import / DirectQuery / Dual)



Returns: a table with metadata about every table in the current Power BI semantic model.

Key Columns (most useful ones)

Column NameWhat it showsTypical use
NameTable name (what you see in the Fields pane)Display / filter
DescriptionDescription entered in Model viewDocumentation
IsHiddenTRUE = hidden tableFind hidden/orphan tables
StorageModeImport, DirectQuery, DualPerformance & mode check
ExpressionDAX code if it's a calculated table (blank otherwise)Identify calc tables
CalculationGroupPrecedenceNumber if it's a calculation group (blank otherwise)Find calc groups
DataCategorye.g. "Time" for marked date tablesFind date tables

Most Common Pattern – Auto-Documentation

Tables in this model =
  SELECTCOLUMNS(
    INFO.VIEW.TABLES(),
    "Table", [Name],
    "Description", [Description],
    "Hidden?", [IsHidden],
    "Storage", [StorageMode],
    "Type",
      SWITCH(TRUE(),
        NOT(ISBLANK([CalculationGroupPrecedence])), "Calculation Group",
        NOT(ISBLANK([Expression])), "Calculated Table",
        [DataCategory] = "Time", "Date Table",
        "Regular Table"
      )
  )

Requirements & Limitations

  • Requires write permission on the semantic model
  • Not available in live connection mode in Power BI Desktop
  • Very useful in DAX Query View for quick checks
  • Best value when used as calculated table(s) inside the model


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