⚛️Data Model - Element
This is the table. The one you’ll use in every report. In this video, we explore the element table—the largest and most foundational table in the entire Power BI + VIM data model. From Revit IDs and keys to instance flags and embedded hierarchies, this session is essential for anyone working with BIM data in Power BI.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro – What the element table is and why it matters
00:27 Where to find the data model reference on docs.vimaec.com
01:08 Conceptual vs physical elements (and how to filter them)
02:24 External keys – what they are and why to ignore them
03:06 How relationships work: element key, instance key, and many-to-one joins
05:02 Folder organization and column layout
05:37 Keys: count vs sum – don’t mess this up
07:03 Combined Revit ID and element index explained
07:55 Element vs instance – what’s the difference and why it matters
09:08 Why you should use element name instead of family name
11:02 Case sensitivity in Power BI (and how we solved it)
13:10 Why case-sensitive fields can’t be sliced or searched
14:14 Revit ID vs Unique ID – which one should you use?
15:58 is pinned, has material, and is in room explained
18:06 Understanding instance flags and filtering by isInstance
22:40 How to simplify long category lists with instance filtering
22:49 Reference data folder – the cheat code for easier reports
24:42 Building the Explorer manually vs using reference data
27:25 Super Component Distance – embedded hierarchy in Revit families
29:15 Using the hierarchy to select parent + children (e.g., curtain walls + panels)
30:09 Wrap-up – What to ignore, what to focus on, and what’s next
📚 What You’ll Learn
✅ How the element table connects everything in your BIM data
✅ When to use element name, Revit ID, or category tag
✅ The value of case-sensitive fields (and how to use them correctly)
✅ Why reference data is your shortcut to better reports
✅ How hierarchy levels (super component distance) simplify selection
🌐 Try it yourself: https://vimaec.com
📄 Data model reference: https://docs.vimaec.com
💡 Building your own Explorer? Duplicate it, filter with isInstance = 1, and start there!
👍 Like • 🔔 Subscribe • 💬 Drop your questions or tricks in the comments below!