In this short module, you will learn about the agenda, what the course covers, and what you need to get the sample dataset ready for the rest of the course.
DAX and Calculations in Power BI
This course is part of the Power BI from Rookie to Rock Star Training.
This training is designed for data modelers, who have the data prepared to be modeled for analysis. Usually, people who take this course need to also take the Power Query video course to learn about the step before the modeling. In this training, you will learn detailed modeling practices of Power BI, and DAX unleashed.
In this training, you will learn DAX from zero to hero. You will learn how to design the best model in Power BI with relationships, considering formatting and data types. You will learn about DAX which is the data modeling expression language in Power BI (and SSAS Tabular, and Power Pivot). You will learn from Simple DAX calculations to complex expressions and calculations for solving real-world challenges of a BI solution.
The training continues with more focus on DAX; we will talk about the evaluation context in DAX, which defines the mindset and the way of thinking when you are writing DAX expressions. You will learn about DAX function categories such as Aggregation functions, Iterators, Filter functions, parent-child functions, time intelligence functions, functions dealing with relationships, etc. You will learn all scenarios through hands-on examples of real-world data.
At the end of this training, you will be able to design the proper data model in Power BI, understand all relationship requirements and implement the right relationship, write complex DAX expressions for your analytics need, and put them all together to build the best model for your data analysis solution using Power BI.
Modules
Relationships
Relationships are one of the most important fundamental concepts to understand in a Power BI Model. In this module, you will learn what a relationship is, why we need it in a Power BI Model. You also learn about single vs. both-directional relationships and also active vs. inactive relationships.
Lessons
Model Configuration
In this module, you will learn some of the basics of modeling which is related to fields and tables configuration. You will learn about formatting fields, creating hierarchies, setting up the default summarization, and some other configuration for your data model.
Lessons
DAX and Calculations
There are three types of calculations in Power BI. In this module, you will learn about all of the three calculation types, their differences and their scenario of usage. You will also learn an introduction to the DAX language and how the DAX expression can be written.
Lessons
Common Functions in DAX
There is a set of functions that commonly used in many DAX expressions. These are functions that work as a filter or iterator or even Calculate. In this module, you will learn what is an Iterator and how it can be used in a measure. You will also learn about filter functions such as ALL or Filter and how they can work combined with an iterator function. You will also learn examples of conditional sum implemented using the functions mentioned in this module. at the end of the module, you will also learn about Calculate which is one of the most common and powerful functions used in DAX.
Lessons
Accessing other tables through Relationship
There are two functions that give you access to the data through existing relationships. In this module, you will learn about the Related function to access a value from the other side of the relationship, and also RelatedTable function to get a sub-table based on an existing relationship.
Lessons
Time Intelligence
Any BI system requires date-based analysis, which is what we call as Time Intelligence in Power BI. In this module, you will learn about DAX functions that deal with Time Intelligence. You will learn how to calculate year to date value, quarter to date, and how to make changes to make year to date to work with financial periods. You will learn how to compare this year’s value with last year’s value, or even with last month’s value, or even yesterday’s value. You will learn how to calculate the average rolling period. Functions that you will learn are included but not limited to DatesYTD, DatesQTD, SamePeriodLastYear, ParallelPeriod, DateAdd, DatesInPeriod etc.
Lessons
- 0701 Introduction to Time Intelligence
- 0702 Default Vs. Custom Date Table
- 0703 Calendar and CalendarAuto Functions
- 0704 Year to Date Calculation
- 0705 Financial Year to Date
- 0706 Quarter to Date and Month to Date
- 0707 Comparing this Year Vs. Last Year, Growth and Variance
- 0708 Calculating Last Month’s value using ParallelPeriod Preview
- 0709 DateAdd Function
- 0710 Rolling 12 Months Calculation using DatesInPeriod
- 0711 Calculating the Average in the Rolling 12 Months Period
Variables and Parameters
Using variables and parameters can enhance your DAX expression significantly. In this module, you will learn how to use variables, and how they are helpful in better performance and readability of your expression. You will also learn how you can make your expression dynamic using Parameters. Parameters that you can add using GUI, or even build the parameter table yourself.
Lessons
Parent-Child Functions
Parsing an organizational hierarchy, or the hierarchy of chart of accounts is not as simple as normal hierarchies. In DAX, we have a set of parent-child functions that are helpful to parse this kind of hierarchies, when the levels of hierarchies are stored in ID, and Parent ID structure. In this module, you will learn how to work with these functions.
Lesson
Relationship Functions
There are two functions that can change the behavior of relationships in Power BI. CrossFilter for changing the relationship to become both-directional, and UseRelationship to work with inactive relationships. In this module, you will learn about those functions and use cases of using them.