Tabular Editor 3 Editions
This document provides an overview and comparison of the different editions of Tabular Editor 3.
Supported Data Modeling Scenarios
The main difference between the various editions of Tabular Editor 3, is which types of tabular data modeling scenarios they support. To understand this difference, consider that Analysis Services (Tabular) exists in a number of different "flavors":
- Power BI Desktop (make sure you you understand the limitations)
- Power BI Premium through the XMLA Endpoint (Premium Per User or Premium Capacity [A, EM or P SKUs])
- SQL Server (2016+) Analysis Services (Editions: Developer, Standard, Enterprise)
- Azure Analysis Services (Tiers: Developer, Basic, Standard)
We consider the highlighted flavors of Analysis Services to be Enterprise-Tier, and as such, these may only be used with Tabular Editor 3 Enterprise Edition.
Important
Tabular Editor only allows editing data models using Compatibility Level 1200 or higher. This is the default on any instance of Analysis Services starting from SQL Server 2016. For the same reason, Tabular Editor does not support Excel PowerPivot, as this uses an earlier Compatibility Level.
Please refer to the matrix below for the full overview of supported scenarios:
| Scenario / Edition | Desktop | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| External Tool for Power BI Desktop | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Load/save model metadata to disk** | ❌ | ✔* | ✔ |
| Workspace Mode*** | ❌ | ✔* | ✔ |
| Power BI Premium Per User | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SQL Server Developer Edition | ❌ | ✔* | ✔ |
| SQL Server Standard Edition | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| SQL Server Enterprise Edition | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Azure AS Developer Tier | ❌ | ✔* | ✔ |
| Azure AS Basic Tier | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Azure AS Standard Tier | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Power BI Premium Capacity (P SKUs) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Power BI Embedded Capacity (A/EM SKUs) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔ |
*Note: Enterprise Edition is required if the Analysis Services data model contains perspectives or tables with multiple partitions (does not apply to Power BI Desktop or Power BI Premium Per User models).
**Note: Supported file formats are: .pbit (Power BI Template), .bim (Analysis Services model metadata), .vpax (VertiPaq Analyzer) and database.json (Tabular Editor folder structure).
***Note: Workspace Mode allows Tabular Editor 3 to simultaneously save model metadata to disk and synchronize a database on any of the editions of Analysis Services or Power BI supported by the Tabular Editor 3 edition purchased.
Modeling Restrictions for non-Power BI models
Specifically for Analysis Services (not Power BI) data models, we restrict a few data modeling operations inside Tabular Editor 3 as well, corresponding to the restrictions on Azure Analysis Services Basic Tier and SQL Server Analysis Services Standard Edition:
| modeling Feature / Edition | Business | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Perspectives | ❌ | ✔ |
| Multiple partitions | ❌ | ✔ |
There are no other feature differences between the Tabular Editor 3 editions, than the ones listed above.
Modeling Restrictions for Power BI models
There are no feature differences across the Tabular Editor 3 editions for Power BI data models.
Note
Please keep in mind that Power BI Desktop currently does not support all Data modeling operations. For this reason, Tabular Editor 3 by default blocks operations that are not supported by Power BI Desktop. However, this restriction can be removed under Tools > Preferences > Power BI.
Important
Tabular Editor can only be used as an external tool for Power BI Desktop when the Power BI report (.pbix or .pbit) file contains a data model (Import, DirectQuery or Composite). Reports using Live connection are not supported since these reports do not contain a data model. More information.
Personal vs. Transferable licenses
Our Desktop Edition and Business Edition uses a personal licensing model. This means, that a user receives their own personal License Key, which can not be shared or transferred to other users. When a user no longer requires the product, their subscription should be cancelled to avoid recurring payments.
Our Enterprise Edition uses a transferable licensing model. The license administrator receives a single License Key, which is then valid for a number of named users up to the quantity purchased. Users are identified by their e-mail address, which is entered the first time a user activates an installation of Tabular Editor 3. The license administrator may contact support in case a user should be removed from the license, such as when an employee leaves the team.
Multiple installations
Each Tabular Editor 3 user is allowed to install the tool on multiple machines depending on the type of license held:
| Desktop | Business | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous installations | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Note
Sharing a single license among multiple users is against our licensing terms.
You can deactivate an existing installation at any time from within the tool itself, by choosing the "Change license key..." option under "Help > About Tabular Editor". You can also deactivate an installation through our self-service portal by navigating to the "Licenses" tab.
If you need more simultaneous installations of Tabular Editor 3 than listed above, please contact licensing@tabulareditor.com.
Enterprise Edition Volume Discounts
Our Enterprise Edition is priced in tiers, according to the following table (similar discount rates apply to monthly commitment):
| Tier | Yearly price per seat |
|---|---|
| First 5 seats | $950.00 USD |
| Next 6-10 seats | $900.00 USD |
| Next 11-20 seats | $850.00 USD |
| Next 21-50 seats | $800.00 USD |
| Seats 51 and above | $750.00 USD |
As an example, if you need 12 seats, the price breaks down as follow:
Seats 1-5: 5 x 950.00 = $ 4,750.00
Seats 6-10: 5 x 900.00 = $ 4,500.00
Seats 11-12: 2 x 850.00 = $ 1,700.00
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Total $ 10,950.00
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If you require more than 100 seats, please contact sales for a quote.