Failed to move the data reader to the next row
Power BIIn general form, with the parts that change in brackets:
Failed to move the data reader to the next row. The query referenced calculated table '[table]' which does not hold any data because there is an error in its expression.
A visual asked the model for data, and the query failed. The first line says only that. Under "See details", the technical details name the calculated table the query needed. That table is empty, because its own DAX fails.
- Usually
- A calculated table's DAX names something that was deleted
- Fix
- Open the calculated table the details name, and read its DAX.
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How the message appears
Copied exactly from each source. A name in square brackets replaced one from someone else's project.
Error fetching data for this visual Failed to move the data reader to the next row. Please check the technical details for more information. If you contact support, please provide these details. Underlying Error QueryUserError More details The query referenced calculated table 'Metric' which does not hold any data because there is an error in its expression.
What causes it
A calculated table's DAX names something that was deleted
Our field parameter, which is a calculated table, listed a measure with
NAMEOF('Sales'[Profit YTD]). We deleted that measure. The table's DAX then failed, so the table held no rows, and every visual that used it failed, including a slicer that never showed Profit YTD. The message names the table, not the measure. The warning on the table in the Data pane names the measure.Source: Power BI Desktop 2.159.883.0, Studio fixture F13d[1].
The Report Doctor finds this. It reports “DAX names something the model does not have”, with the file and line.
The fix
Open the calculated table the details name, and read its DAX. Hover over the warning on that table in the Data pane: it names what is missing. Put the measure or column back, or take it out of the table's DAX.
In tables/Field Parameter.tmdl:
NAMEOF('Store'[Store Name])Line 1 changes.
NAMEOF('Store'[Store])Store has no column Store Name, so the field parameter names one that does not exist.
From the SalesSense sample project by Rui Romano (MIT licence).
The Power BI Report Doctor reads a PBIP folder or .zip and lists the file and line to fix. Nothing is uploaded. For the other messages a project can stop on, listed by the file that causes each, see Power BI Desktop can't open a PBIP.
Worth knowing
- This page lists the cause we reproduced.
- The warning on the table is Column cannot be found or may not be used.
Sources
- [1]Desktop run: Power BI Desktop 2.159.883.0, Studio fixture F13d. Our run on Wide World Importers open data: we deleted the measure Profit YTD while a field parameter, another measure and a visual still named it. The messages are typed from our screenshots. Seen 2026-10-23.
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