Energy BI gives report creators with a wide range of strategies for calculating and modeling knowledge. Some generally useful instruments embody calculated columns, calculated tables, and measures.
In case you are a more moderen Energy BI person, chances are you’ll be not sure which of those is your best option on your wants. In case you’ve been utilizing Energy BI for some time, you might be most likely aware of these capabilities, however could also be questioning in case you are using them optimally. Let’s outline each and discover its main makes use of.
Calculated Columns
A calculated column is a column of information that’s added to an present desk in your mannequin. That is finished both in report view or knowledge view utilizing a DAX formulation to find out the information that’s displayed. The column will likely be proven underneath Subject as typical, however you’ll discover a logo indicating {that a} formulation was used.
Calculated columns are like different columns in your report, together with that they’re saved in reminiscence. Once you refresh your report, the column will calculate row by row, so it can’t offer you real-time updates.
When to make use of a calculated column
A calculated column generally is a useful gizmo in case you are trying to mix knowledge from a number of columns in a desk or throughout tables. You may additionally wish to extract particular sub-data from present columns.
To create a calculated column:
- Proper-click on the desk title
- Click on “New Column”
- Enter your DAX formulation
Calculated Tables
A calculated desk differs from different tables you may need in your report as a result of it’s created by pulling from knowledge that’s already in your mannequin, whereas most different tables are imported from an out of doors supply.
A calculated desk can have a reference to different tables. Chances are you’ll select to affix two tables, or extract knowledge from a number of tables to be displayed collectively. Like calculated columns, these tables are saved in reminiscence and can replace each time the supply knowledge is up to date.
When to make use of a calculated desk
Calculated tables are nice for knowledge that you just wish to be saved within the mannequin, versus having real-time calculations. If you could be a part of two tables or mix knowledge from a number of tables, this operate will work nicely for you. Many report creators get pleasure from it for creating calendar tables as nicely.
You might also select to make use of a calculated desk for calculations that you don’t want in your finish report, or that won’t be shared with others. This feature is sweet for modeling completely different eventualities. Modelers usually use calculated tables to debug a prolonged DAX expression to verify it’s operating easily.
To create a calculated desk:
- From Report View or Information View, go to the Modeling tab
- Inside Modeling, discover the part for Calculations
- Click on “New Desk”
In case you create the desk in Information View, it is possible for you to to see it immediately, so this generally is a good place to begin.
Measures
Measures are a quite common operate in Energy BI. They’re greatest used for aggregated knowledge, just like the oft-used SUM or SUMX. You possibly can create a measure particular to your wants utilizing a DAX formulation. Energy BI additionally has “fast measures” which might be already in DAX, so test these to avoid wasting your self from writing the code. This can be a nice possibility in case you are nonetheless studying DAX or have a standard calculation want that’s doubtless already represented within the fast measures.
Measures are calculated in actual time, so they don’t seem to be saved in reminiscence. You possibly can create a measure in Report View or Information View. Once you create a measure, you’ll discover that it’s listed underneath Fields with a calculator image subsequent to it. This means that it’s the results of a calculation, reasonably than pulled from one other supply.
When to make use of a measure
Measures are most helpful if you could mixture your knowledge in a roundabout way, or want up-to-the-minute calculations. The opposite profit of making a measure is that you may then apply it to different tables as nicely – as soon as it’s created you possibly can transfer it as wanted. If you already know there’s a calculation you may be finishing usually, create a measure for ease of use sooner or later.
To create a measure:
- In Report view, go to the Modeling tab
- Click on “New Measure”
- Enter your DAX formulation
- When full, your measure will likely be listed underneath Fields
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