Data Dictionary

The Data Dictionary lets you export your entire model schema to a spreadsheet and import changes back. It's the fastest way to review, document, and bulk-update your model's metadata.

Exporting

1. Click Export Data Dictionary in the toolbar (or right-click your model in the Explorer).
2. Choose XLSX (Excel) or ODS (Open Document) format.
3. Save the file.

The exported workbook has four sheets:

Sheet	What's In It
Tables	Table names, types, descriptions, visibility
Columns	Names, data types, format strings, descriptions, sort-by column, display folder, summarize-by, data category
Measures	Names, DAX expressions, format strings, descriptions, display folder
Relationships	From/to tables and columns, cardinality, cross-filter direction, active/inactive

Importing

Edit the exported spreadsheet (update descriptions, fix data types, change format strings) and import it back into Semantic Modeler to apply all those changes at once.

1. Click Import Data Dictionary in the toolbar.
2. Select your edited XLSX or ODS file.
3. Semantic Modeler matches rows to model objects by name and applies the updates.

Only non-empty cells in the spreadsheet overwrite existing values. If you leave a cell blank, the existing value in the model is preserved. This means reviewers can focus on the fields they care about without accidentally clearing anything.

Common Uses

• Documentation: Generate a complete model reference for your team.
• Auditing: Review all measures and relationships in one place.
• Onboarding: Give new team members a structured overview of the model.
• Bulk editing: Update dozens of descriptions, format strings, or data categories in a spreadsheet instead of clicking through the UI one by one.

For a step-by-step walkthrough that combines the Data Dictionary with AI-generated documentation, see Documenting Your Semantic Model.