Creating a VPAX file
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You create a VPAX file by extracting the model metadata from a Power BI or Analysis Services model. The VPAX file contains all the information needed by DAX Optimizer to analyze the model and produce the list of issues.
Extraction tools
The following tools can be used to create a VPAX file:
Creating a VPAX file from DAX Studio
The Model Metrics feature in DAX studio includes an Export Metrics option that creates the VPAX file.
Creating a VPAX file from Bravo
The Save as VPAX button in the Analyze Model feature of Bravo for Power BI creates the VPAX file.
Creating a VPAX file from Tabular Editor 3
In Tabular Editor 3, you can use the VertiPaq Analyzer feature to create the VPAX file:
- Select the View / VertiPaq Analyzer menu item.
- Click Collect Stats in the VertiPaq Analyzer window.
- Click Export in the VertiPaq Analyzer window to save the VPAX file.
Using the latest version of extraction tools
DAX Optimizer is updated regularly to support the latest features of Power BI and Analysis Services. If the VPAX file is created with an old version of the extractor tools, DAX Optimizer displays a warning message because it might generate less accurate suggestions.
If you proceed with the analysis, the result produced is still valid but less accurate than what it would be by using the latest version of the extraction tools.
If possible, we suggest updating the extraction tool to the latest version and creating a new VPAX file to analyze.