Introduction to DAX
in Power BI
I N T R O D U C T I O N TO DA X I N POW E R B I
Jess Ahmet
Content Developer, DataCamp
What is DAX?
Data Analysis eXpressions
Formula language to create calculations
Columns, tables, measures
Based on Excel formulas and functions
e.g., SUM()
Used in other Microsoft tools
Power Pivot and Analysis Services
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
DAX functions
Predefined formulas that perform calculations on specific values called arguments
Function syntax indicates the order of arguments expected
Function categories
Aggregation - SUM() , AVERAGE() , COUNT()
Date and Time - TODAY() , MONTH() , YEAR()
Logical - IF() , AND() , OR()
Text - CONCATENATE() , UPPER() , LEFT()
And many more...
DAX reference:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-function-reference
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
DAX functions example
SUM() LEFT()
Syntax: SUM(<column>) Syntax: LEFT(<text>, <num_chars>)
Description: Adds all the numbers in a Description: Returns the specified
column. number of characters from the start of a
text.
One argument: <column>
Example: SUM(Sales) Two arguments: <text> , <num_chars>
Example: LEFT('DataCamp', 4) = "Data"
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Creating calculated columns
Expands our existing datasets without editing the source data
Evaluates at a row level and adds a new column to an existing table
Calculated at data load or when the data is refreshed
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Creating calculated columns
Expands our existing datasets without editing the source
Evaluates at a row level and adds a new column to an existing table
Calculated at data load and when the data is refreshed
DAX example: Price_w_tax = Price + ( Price * Tax )
Item Price Tax
A $ 20 25%
B $ 45 0%
C $ 100 15%
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Creating calculated columns
Expands our existing datasets without editing the source
Evaluates at a row level and adds a new column to an existing table
Calculated at data load and when the data is refreshed
DAX example: Price_w_tax = Price + ( Price * Tax )
Item Price Tax Price_w_tax
A $ 20 25% $25
B $ 45 0% $45
C $ 100 15% $115
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Creating calculated measures
Enables complex calculations
Aggregates multiple rows and adds a new field that can be added to visualizations
Calculated at query time as you interact and filter
More efficient because the calculation is not run every time the table is accessed
Two ways to create a measure
Write a measure from scratch
Use the built-in Quick Measure tool
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Creating calculated measures
Item Price Tax Price_w_tax
A $ 20 25% $25
B $ 45 0% $45
C $ 100 15% $115
Total_price_w_tax = SUM(Price_w_tax)
Total_price_w_tax = $25 + $45 + $115 = $185
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Summary
Calculated columns: Calculated measures:
Evaluate for each row
Add a new column to an existing table
Calculated at data load or when the data is
refreshed
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Summary
Calculated columns: Calculated measures:
For evaluating each row For aggregating multiple rows
Add a new column to an existing table Results in another field that you can add to
a visualization
Calculated at data load or when the data is
refreshed Calculated at query time as you interact
and filter
Item Price Tax Price_w_tax
Total_price_w_tax = SUM(Price_w_tax)
A $ 20 25% $25
B $ 45 0% $45
C $ 100 15% $115
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Summary
Calculated columns: Calculated measures:
For evaluating each row For aggregating multiple rows
Add a new column to an existing table Results in another field that you can add to
a visualization
Calculated at data load and when the data
is refreshed Calculated at query time as you interact
and filter
Item Price Tax Price_w_tax
Total_price_w_tax = SUM(Price_w_tax)
A $ 20 25% $25
B $ 45 0% $45
C $ 100 15% $115
1 Calculated tables will be covered later.
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Adventure Works
Sells bikes and bike-parts globally
Table: Sales
Transactional data for each order line of
a sale
Contains categorical data including
product category
INTRODUCTION TO DAX IN POWER BI
Let's practice!
I N T R O D U C T I O N TO DA X I N POW E R B I
Creating calculated
columns and
measures
I N T R O D U C T I O N TO DA X I N POW E R B I
Jess Ahmet
Content Developer, DataCamp
Let's practice!
I N T R O D U C T I O N TO DA X I N POW E R B I
