Inspecting TMDL in the browser

TMDL is the text form of a Power BI semantic model. BI Workbench can inspect pasted TMDL, or a .pbix, .pbit, .bim, or zipped .pbip, and show tables, columns, and measures. The file stays in the browser.

When Desktop is the wrong first step

Opening a large .pbix just to confirm a measure name or a hidden column wastes time. A text inspect is enough when you need the shape of the model, not a refresh.

It is also useful when you have been sent TMDL from Desktop and want to search names before you merge anything.

What BI Workbench does

Paste TMDL or choose a file. The inspect lists tables and fields. You can search by name or DAX.

Nothing is sent to a server. That matters when the model contains business names you would not put in an online formatter.