Compatibility level for tabular models

Applies to: SQL Server Analysis Services Azure Analysis Services Fabric/Power BI Premium

The compatibility level refers to release-specific behaviors in the Analysis Services engine. For example, DirectQuery and tabular object metadata have different implementations depending on the compatibility level. In-general, you should choose the latest compatibility level supported by your platform.

The latest supported compatibility level is 1600

Supported compatibility levels by version

Compatibility level Server version
1600 Power BI Premium, Azure Analysis Services, SQL Server 2022
1500 Power BI Premium, Azure Analysis Services, SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2019
1400 Azure Analysis Services, SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2019, SQL Server 2017
1200 Azure Analysis Services, SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2019, SQL Server 2017, SQL Server 2016
1103 SQL Server 2017*, SQL Server 2016, SQL Server 2014, SQL Server 2012 SP1
1100 SQL Server 2017*, SQL Server 2016, SQL Server 2014, SQL Server 2012 SP1, SQL Server 2012

* 1100 and 1103 compatibility levels are deprecated in SQL Server 2017.

Set compatibility level

When creating a new tabular model project in Visual Studio, you can specify the compatibility level on the Tabular model designer dialog.

ssas_tabularproject_compat1200

If you select the Do not show this message again option, all subsequent projects will use the compatibility level you specified as the default. You can change the default compatibility level in SSDT in Tools > Options.

To upgrade a tabular model project in SSDT, set the Compatibility Level property in the model Properties window. Keep in-mind, upgrading the compatibility level is irreversible.

Check compatibility level for a tabular database in SSMS

In SSMS, right-click the database name > Properties > Compatibility Level.

Check supported compatibility level for a server in SSMS

In SSMS, right-click the server name> Properties > Supported Compatibility Level.

This property specifies the highest compatibility level of a database that will run on the server. The supported compatibility level is read-only cannot be changed.

See also

Compatibility Level of a multidimensional database
Create a new tabular model project