Power BI For Solving

Common Analytical
Problems
A Guide to DAX Formula Patterns
 Time Intelligence
Used for time-based analysis, aggregating data over periods.

Example: TOTALYTD(Sales[Revenue], Date[Date])

Time functions often require a continuous date table for accuracy.

Watch out for leap years!

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 Filter Context
The set of filters actively applied to a calculation.

Code: CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]), Sales[Country] = 'USA')

The CALCULATE function can modify the filter context.

Always ensure the right granularity when applying filters.

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 Row Context
Refers to the current row during calculations in functions like SUMX or
FILTER.
Application: Using SUMX(FILTER(Sales, Sales[Revenue] > 1000),
Sales[Revenue]) to sum only high sales.

Created implicitly by iterators or explicitly using EARLIER().

Avoid nested row contexts to keep DAX efficient.

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 RELATED & RELATEDTABLE
Retrieves related values from another table.

Code: RELATED(Product[Price])

Useful for looking up values in a normalized schema.

Ensure relationships are set up correctly.

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 Evaluation Context
Determines the context in which DAX formulas are calculated.

Example: Context can be row or filter.

Mastery of context is key to DAX.

Understand the differences for accurate calculations.

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 CALCULATE Function
Modifies the filter context.

Code: CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]), ALL(Sales))

Most frequently used function in DAX.

It can override or add filters.

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 ALL Function
Removes one or more filters.

Application: ALL(Sales[Product]) removes product filter.

Used to create 'All' level aggregates.

Avoid using without understanding its effect.

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 EARLIER Function
Refers to the previous row context.

Code: Useful in nested calculations.

Often misunderstood, but powerful.

Commonly used in ranking.

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 RANKX Function
Ranks values in a table.

Application: RANKX(ALL(Sales), Sales[Revenue])

Key for competitive analysis.

Watch out for ties in ranking.

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 Variables
Store intermediate calculations.

Code: VAR avgSales = AVERAGE(Sales[Revenue])

Improves readability & performance.

Use extensively to break complex formulas.

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 SWITCH Function
Alternative to nested IFs.

Application: SWITCH(TRUE(), Sales[Country]='USA', 'America',

Sales[Country]='UK', 'Europe')
More efficient than multiple IFs.

Can simplify logic dramatically.

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 DIVIDE Function
Safe division, handles divisors of 0.

Code: DIVIDE(Sales[Revenue], Sales[Units])

Returns alternate result for divide by zero.

Safer than the '/' operator.

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 BLANK Function
Represents no data or gaps.

Application: Used to handle missing values.

Not the same as NULL in SQL.

Can influence aggregations & visuals.

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 Userelationship
Specifies a relationship for a calculation.

Code: CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date],

'Date'[Date]))

For models with multiple relationships.

Only one relationship is active at a time.

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 KEEPFILTERS
Preserves existing filters while adding new ones.

Application: CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]),
KEEPFILTERS(Sales[Country]='USA'))

Modifies CALCULATE's default behavior.

Useful for nuanced filter scenarios.

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 SUMMARIZE
Creates a summary table.

Code: SUMMARIZE(Sales, Sales[Country], 'Total Revenue',

SUM(Sales[Revenue]))

Powerful aggregation tool.

Can be resource-intensive.

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 NATURALLEFTOUTERJOIN
Combines rows from two tables.

Application: Joining on common columns.

Resembles SQL's LEFT JOIN.

Be mindful of large tables.

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 DATESYTD
Calculates Year to Date values.

Code: DATESYTD(Date[Date])

Essential for financial reporting.

Ensure continuous date table.

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 SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
Compares to the same period in the prior year.

Application: Year-over-year growth.

Critical for trend analysis.

Ensure date alignments.

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 PATH Functions
Hierarchy & parent-child functions.

Code: PATH(Employee[EmpID], Employee[MgrID])

Useful for organizational charts.

Requires unique identifiers.

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 CONTAINS Function
Checks for value in a table.

Application: CONTAINS(Sales, Sales[Product], 'Bike')

A lookup function.

Faster than using a filter.

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 COALESCE Function
Returns first non-blank value.

Code: COALESCE(Sales[Discount], 0)

Handles missing data elegantly.

Can chain multiple columns.

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 GENERATESERIES
Creates a table of numbers.

Application: GENERATESERIES(1,10,1)

Useful for creating sequences.

Can be used for date intervals.

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 CROSSFILTER Function
Modifies relationship direction.

Code: CROSSFILTER(Sales[Date], Date[Date], None)

Can enable or disable relationships.

Advanced model manipulation.

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 CONCATENATEX
Combines text values.

Application: CONCATENATEX(VALUES(Sales[Product]), Sales[Product], ', ')

Useful for creating lists.

Mind the delimiter.

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 ISFILTERED & ISCROSSFILTERED
Checks for active filters.

Code: ISFILTERED(Date[Month])

Debugging and conditional logic.

Differentiate direct and indirect filters.

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 TREATAS Function
Applies values as a filter.

Application: TREATAS({'USA', 'UK'}, Sales[Country])

Dynamic filtering technique.

Versatile for passing filters.

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 FORMAT Function
Converts data types to text.

Code: FORMAT(Date[Date], 'MMM yyyy')

Custom date and number formatting.

Locale can affect results.

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 ERROR Function
Returns a custom error.

Application: IF(SUM(Sales[Revenue]) < 0, ERROR('Negative Revenue'))

Data validation and alerts.

Use sparingly.

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 CUBE Functions
Integrates DAX with MDX.

Code: Useful for BI tools integration.

Bridge between tabular & multidimensional.

Advanced topic.

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 SELECTEDVALUE
Returns the selected value in a slicer.

Application: SELECTEDVALUE(Country[Name], 'All Countries')

Detects single selections.

Default value for multi-select.

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 DATEDIFF
Calculates difference between dates.

Code: DATEDIFF(Date[StartDate], Date[EndDate], DAY)

Time duration calculations.

Supports days, months, and years.

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 UNION, EXCEPT, INTERSECT
Combine tables with set operations.

Application: UNION(VALUES(Sales1[Product]), VALUES(Sales2[Product]))

SQL-like operations in DAX.

Ensure consistent schemas.

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 X Functions (Iterators)
Perform row-wise calculations.

Code: SUMX(VALUES(Sales[Product]), Sales[Revenue] * Sales[Price])

Core concept in DAX.

Often resource-intensive.

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 Continuous Learning
Stay updated with Power BI updates. Exploring new features in
the latest version. Engage in Enterprise DNA forum.

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