The document provides an agenda for a webinar on Power BI DAX kickstart. It introduces DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) as the language used in Power BI, Excel Power Pivot, and SQL Server Analysis Services Tabular. It discusses calculated columns and measures as the primary vehicles for DAX calculations. It also outlines the main functions groups in DAX and provides examples. The webinar aims to help attendees get started with DAX.

1. POWER BI DAX KICKSTART
Overview and Mechanics of Data Analysis eXpressions

2. • Introductions
• Introducing Data Analysis eXpressions
(DAX)
• Vehicles of delivery: calculation types
– Calculated columns
– Measures
• Functions: groups and examples
• Summary
• Additional resources
• Q&A
Agenda
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3. Presenters
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Michael Weinhauer
Practice Area Director
Solutions Architect
Senturus, Inc.
Bill Pearson
Microsoft Business
Intelligence Architect
Senturus, Inc.

4. Hundreds of Free Resources
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www.senturus.com/resources/

5. This slide deck is from the webinar:
Power BI DAX Kickstart
To view the FREE video recording with demos and
download this deck, go to:
https://senturus.com/resources/power-bi-dax-
kickstart/
Like What You See?
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6. INTRODUCING DATA ANALYSIS
EXPRESSIONS

7. • DAX serves as the language of:
– Power BI
– Excel Power Pivot
– SQL Server Analysis Services Tabular
• Initially seems simple, but the learning curve can
increase dramatically – and at the worst possible times
• DAX comprises programming concepts that will be
unfamiliar to many who have worked with SQL and
other query languages
• We’ll discuss tips in easing the effort required to get to
know DAX from the first glimpse
Data Analysis eXpressions Language
7

8. • Function calls drive execution
• Elements of DAX are derived from:
– Excel functions
– SQL
– MDX
• Example of a simple formula
UniqueCustomerCount =
COUNT(Customer[CustomerKey])
DAX Is an Expression Language
8

9. • The general format
– ‘TableName’[ColumnName]
• Quotes can be omitted
– If TableName does not contain spaces
– BEST PRACTICE: Don’t use spaces
• TableName can be omitted
– Current table is searched for ColumnName
– BEST PRACTICE: Always use complete TableName /
ColumnName to avoid ambiguity
• Brackets for column name cannot be omitted
DAX Syntax for Columns
9

10. DAX can be employed in Power BI through a couple of
mechanisms:
• Calculated columns
• Measures
Primary Vehicles for DAX: Calculation types
10

11. Example: Calculated column in the Product table that
computes the “Gross Profit Margin” for each product
Intro_CalCol_Product_Margin =
'Product'[ListPrice]-'Product'[StandardCost]
Calculated Column Creation
11

12. DEMO: Create Calculated Column
12

13. Example: Measure in the Product table that computes the
Total Quantity (based on Order Quantity in the related
Internet Sales table)
Intro_Measure_Product_TotalQty =
SUM(InternetSales[OrderQuantity])
Measures Creation
13

14. DEMO: Create Measure
14

15. • Calculated columns are best when we need to
– Slice or filter on the value
• Measures are best when we need to
– Calculate percentages
– Calculate ratios
– Perform complex aggregations
– Fully take advantage of filter context
• Space and CPU utilization
– Columns consume memory
– Measures consume CPU
Calculated Columns vs. Measures
15

16. A great way to think of DAX functions (approx. 200 as of
4-2019) are as members of working groups. This is my
take on those “primary groups:”
DAX Functions: Primary Groups with Examples
16
Primary Group Examples
Text LEFT(), CONCATENATE(), VALUE()
Aggregate AVERAGE(), COUNT(), MAX()
Math / Trig CEILING(), INT(), ROUND()
Date and Time DATE(), DATEVALUE(), YEAR()
Time Intelligence TOTALQTD(), TOTALYTD(), DATESBETWEEN()
Foundation CALCULATE(), ALL(), RELATED(), FILTER()

17. Let’s Take a Look …
Demo / Walkthrough

18. Power BI Design Stages: Where Does DAX Fit In?
18
Get Data Visualize
&
Analyze
ModelTransform Publish
&
Collaborate
- Connect
- Import
- Refresh
- Stream
- Shape
- Cleanse
- Rename
- Merge
- Filter
- Relate
- Calculate
- Hide
- Format
- Sort
- Filter
- Slice
- Interact
- Drill
- Configure
- Pin
- Collaborate
- Embed
- Export
- AnalyzeDAX

19. • Don’t try to memorize DAX functions
• Keep working DAX samples in a reference .pbix
• Name calculations intuitively
• Maintain “support” environments
– Development
– Testing
– Learning (especially samples .pbix file)
• Collect articles and references
As You Learn DAX, a Few Pointers …
19

20. Introducing Data Analysis eXpressions
(DAX)
Vehicles of delivery: Calculation
types
Calculated columns
Measures
Functions: Groups and examples
Summary

21. Enjoy the Full Webinar Presentation
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28. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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30. www.senturus.com/senturus-resources/
Free Resources
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Power BI Premium Demystified
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Creating and Publishing Paginated Reports in Power BI Service
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