Tool Availability Matrix (Desktop/Service × Mode × Tier)

This page is a quick reference for “why can’t I see/do X?” across:

  • where you are connected (Power BI Desktop vs Power BI Service),
  • how your org deployed MCP Engine (full vs read-only vs browse-only),
  • and what license tier is active (Free vs Pro vs Enterprise).

End users typically won’t call tools directly, but this matrix helps you understand what’s possible in your environment.

Notes before you use the matrix

  • Service (XMLA) connectivity can be disabled centrally. If Service looks Not available for you, ask your admin whether XMLA is enabled for this deployment.
  • Browse-only is leak-minimized: it intentionally suppresses expression/details and blocks query execution and refresh. It is designed for safe discovery/documentation, not analysis.
  • “Min tier” is the lowest tier where the tool exists. Higher tiers include lower tiers.

Interactive capability explorer

Use this first when your question is “Can I do X here?”:

Tool capability explorer

Choose your mode and tier to see what you can do right now.

Mode
Tier

Showing 11 available tools for Full mode at Free tier.

Core

List Model
list_model
Free

Explore semantic model objects and metadata with search-friendly listing actions.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Model Connection
manage_model_connection
Free

Connect to Power BI Desktop or Service and confirm which model is active.

No model needed
AvailableOpen full tool page
Refresh
refresh
Free

Trigger and monitor semantic model refresh operations.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Run Query
run_query
Free

Run DAX queries and inspect result sets and execution diagnostics.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page

Authoring

Manage Localization
manage_localization
Free

Create and manage culture-specific translations for model metadata.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Model Properties
manage_model_properties
Free

Update global model settings such as compatibility, culture, and annotations.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Schema
manage_schema
Free

Create and modify schema objects such as tables, columns, relationships, and partitions.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Security
manage_security
Free

Manage roles, RLS/OLS rules, and access-related semantic definitions.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Semantic
manage_semantic
Free

Author semantic logic including measures, KPIs, calculation groups, and expressions.

Model required
AvailableOpen full tool page

Governance/Advanced

Manage License
manage_license
Free

Inspect and manage active license state and entitlement levels.

No model needed
AvailableOpen full tool page
Manage Memory
manage_memory
Free

Store reusable team preferences, guardrails, and aliases for consistent behavior.

No model needed
AvailableOpen full tool page

Tools

ToolDesktopServiceFullRead-onlyBrowse-onlyMin tierNotes
list_modelAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableLimitedFreeBrowse-only: list/search only; expressions/details suppressed.
manage_auditAvailableAvailableLimitedNot availableNot availableEnterpriseOften hidden unless enabled; exports can be saved on server host. Admins can disable or hide audit tooling unless explicitly exposed.
manage_dependenciesAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableProImpact analysis for renames/deletes/refactors; depth can get large.
manage_licenseAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableFreeActivation may be admin-controlled; state stored server-side.
manage_localizationAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableFreeAuthoring (writes); metadata-only (captions/descriptions), not DAX/M translation.
manage_memoryAvailableAvailableAvailableLimitedNot availableFreeRead-only: view/export only; Pro enables workspace/model scopes + masking settings.
manage_model_changesAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableProUndo/redo/checkpoints/rollback; history is local to the MCP server instance.
manage_model_connectionAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableFreeService requires XMLA enabled/auth; Desktop requires an open PBIX.
manage_model_propertiesAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableFreeAuthoring (writes); compatibility upgrades are high-impact and confirm-gated.
manage_policyAvailableAvailableAvailableLimitedLimitedProEdits locked in read-only/browse-only and in bundle-locked org setups. Some organizations lock policy edits via admin policy bundles.
manage_schemaAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableFreeAuthoring (writes); bulk changes can partially apply; Desktop requires saving PBIX to persist.
manage_securityAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableFreeAuthoring (writes); validate with aggregate queries; perspectives are usability, not security.
manage_semanticAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableFreeAuthoring (writes); calc groups/UDFs may require compat upgrade confirmation.
manage_testsAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableNot availableProTests + baselines stored on server; exports may be saved to server disk.
refreshAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableFreeStatus is best-effort; no cancel; may prompt on first model modification.
run_queryAvailableAvailableAvailableAvailableNot availableFreeService-only: some impersonation scenarios; keep outputs small/masked.

If something is missing or blocked

See also