1. Module 11: Introduction to DAX Module 11 Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Module 11
Introduction to DAX

2. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Module Overview
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
DAX Fundamentals
Using DAX to Create Calculated Columns and Measures in a Tabular Data Model

3. Lesson 1: DAX Fundamentals
Course 10778A
Lesson 1: DAX Fundamentals
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Overview of DAX
DAX Functions
DAX Syntax and Data Types
Aggregations
Context
DAX Queries

4. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Overview of DAX
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
DAX is a formula-based language for building business logic and queries in tabular data models:
Calculated columns
Measures
Queries
Its syntax is similar to Microsoft Excel formulas:
It uses functions, operators, and values
It is easy to use and already familiar to information workers
It differs from Excel formulas in key ways:
It is designed to work with relational data, not data ranges
It includes more advanced functionality
There are new functions to expand DAX

5. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
DAX Functions
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Text functions
Information functions
Filter and value functions
Logical functions
Mathematical and trigonometric functions
Statistical and aggregation functions
Date and time functions
Time intelligence functions
For more information about the Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) function reference for Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012, see the “DAX Function Reference” at

6. DAX Syntax and Data Types
Course 10778A
DAX Syntax and Data Types
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
DAX formulas start with the equal sign (=) followed by an expression
Expressions can contain functions, operators, constants, and references to columns
Column references:
Fully qualified name:
Unqualified name:
Measure names must be enclosed in brackets
DAX uses eight data types
For the full syntax specification, see “DAX Syntax Specification for PowerPivot” at
'table name'[column name]
[column name]

7. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Aggregations
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Summarize underlying detailed data for analysis
Use automatic aggregation for simple calculations:
SUM
COUNT
MIN
MAX
AVERAGE
Create a measure for more complex aggregations
SUM('Reseller Sales'[Sales Amount])

8. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Context
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
A DAX measure or calculated column defines a field that you can use in a PivotTable table or a PivotChart chart
The exact values that appear in PivotTable tables and PivotChart charts vary with context:
Row context
Query context
Filter context

9. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
DAX Queries
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Client applications, such as the Power View reporting tool, issue DAX queries
You can write queries manually by using the DAX query language
You can filter, order, and summarize results
EVALUATE(
FILTER('Reseller Sales',
'Reseller Sales'[OrderDateKey]> ))

10. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Lesson 2: Using DAX to Create Calculated Columns and Measures in a Tabular Data Model
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Calculated Columns
Measures
Multiple Relationships
Time Intelligence
Dynamic Measures

11. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Calculated Columns
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Named columns that are populated by using a DAX formula
Create calculated columns in the Data View window of a PowerPivot for Excel workbook:
Add a new column
Provide a name
Enter a DAX expression in the formula bar
A value is calculated for each row in the table when the calculated column is created
Use calculated columns in PivotTable tables, PivotChart charts, slicers, and measure definitions
=CONCATENATE('Employee'[First Name], CONCATENATE(" ", 'Employee'[Last Name]))

12. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Measures
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Named formulas that can contain sophisticated business logic:
Implicit measures
Explicit measures
Create explicit measures in two places:
The PowerPivot Field List in an Excel worksheet
The Measure Grid in the table view in the PowerPivot window
Use measures in PivotTable tables and Pivot Chart charts
IF([Previous Year], ([Sum of Sales Amount] – [Previous Year])/[Previous Year], BLANK())

13. Demonstration: Creating and Using Measures and Calculated Columns
Course 10778A
Demonstration: Creating and Using Measures and Calculated Columns
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Create a calculated column
Create a measure
Use measures and calculated columns in PivotTable tables and PivotChart charts
Use measures to create different groupings of data
Task 1: Create a calculated column
Ensure that the MIA-DC1 and MIA-SQLBI virtual machines are both running, and then log on to MIA- SQLBI as ADVENTUREWORKS\Student with the password Pa$$w0rd. Then in the D:\10778A\Demofiles\Mod11 folder, run Setup.cmd as Administrator.
In the D:\10778A\Demofiles\Mod11 folder, double-click the Demo.xlsx file.
In the Demo workbook, click the PowerPivot tab, and then on the PowerPivot ribbon, click PowerPivot Window.
In the PowerPivot window, click the Geography tab.
In the Geography table, scroll across to the last column, double-click Add Column, type Full Location Name, and then press Enter.
In the formula bar above the Geography table, type the DAX formula in the following code example, and then press Enter.
=CONCATENATE([State or Province Name], CONCATENATE(“, “,[Region Name]))
Right-click the State or Province Name column header, and then click Hide from Client Tools.
Task 2: Create a measure
In the PowerPivot window, in the upper-left corner, click the Switch to Workbook button.
Click the Add Measure Demo tab, and then click PivotTable1.
In the PowerPivot Field list, click Refresh if notified that PowerPivot data was modified.
In the PowerPivot Field List, right-click Reseller Sales, and then click Add New Measure.
In the Measure Settings dialog box, in the Measure Name (all PivotTables) field, type Total Profit.
In the Formula field, type the DAX formula in the following code example, and then click Check Formula:
=SUM(‘Reseller Sales’[Sales Amount]) – SUM(‘Reseller Sales’[Total Product Cost])
In the Category field, click Currency, and then click OK.
Task 3: Use measures in a PivotTable table and a PivotChart chart
When the you create the Total Profit measure, it should automatically appear in the PivotTable1 table. If it does not, in the PowerPivot Field List, expand Reseller Sales, and then select Total Profit.
In Reseller Sales, select Sales Amount.
Expand Product, drag Category to the Row Labels area, and then release it.

14. Multiple Relationships
Course 10778A
Multiple Relationships
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Tabular data models support multiple relationships between tables
Only one relationship is active at a time
The active relationship is used by default in DAX formulas
The USERELATIONSHIP function enables you to select the relationship that you want to use for a specific formula
=CALCULATE(SUM(Reseller Sales[Sales Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Reseller Sales[ShipDateKey],Date[DateKey]))

15. Demonstration: Using a Specific Relationship in a Measure
Course 10778A
Demonstration: Using a Specific Relationship in a Measure
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
In this demonstration, you will see how to:
Use the USERELATIONSHIP function to specify the relationship to use in a formula
Task 1: Specify the relationship to use in a formula
In the Demo workbook, click the PowerPivot tab, and then on the PowerPivot ribbon, click PowerPivot Window.
On the ribbon, in the View group, click the Diagram View button.
Rest the cursor arrow on each of the three lines between the Reseller Sales table and the Date table, one at a time. The lines represent the relationships between the tables.
In the PowerPivot window, in the upper-left corner, click the Switch to Workbook button, click the Multiple Relationships Demo tab, and then click anywhere in PivotTable1.
In the PowerPivot Field list, click Refresh if notified that PowerPivot data was modified.
In the PowerPivot Field List, expand Reseller Sales.
Right-click Sales With Ship Date, and then click Edit Formula.
In the Measure Settings dialog box, review the formula, and then click Cancel.
Drag Sales With Ship Date to the Values area in the PowerPivot Field List, and then release it.
In the PowerPivot Field List, expand Date, drag Calendar Year to the Row Labels area, and then release it.
Close Demo.xlsx and do not save changes.

16. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Time Intelligence
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Compare data from one time period against equivalent data from a different time period
The tabular model should contain a separate table that contains only date information
The date table should have a continuous range of dates without any gaps
The column in the date table that uses the date data type should use day as the lowest level of granularity
Mark the table as Date Table to use time intelligence functions against that table
Use time intelligence functions to build measures
CALCULATE([Sum of Sales Amount], DATEADD('Date'[FullDateAlternateKey], -1, YEAR))

17. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Dynamic Measures
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Calculate different values for each row in a PivotTable table:
Create a linked table that contains the input values for the dynamic measure
Use the HASONEVALUE function to check that there is a single input value for each row
Use conditional logic to apply different calculations to each row based on the input value
IF([Check Single Values)], SWITCH(VALUES('Time Period'[Period]), "Current Year", [Sum Of Sales Amount], "Previous Year" [Previous Year], "YOY Growth" , IF(NOT(ISBLANK([Previous Year])), [Sum of Sales Amount] – [Previous Year], BLANK())), BLANK())

18. Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Course 10778A
Lab Scenario
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
As a senior business analyst at Adventure Works Cycles, you want to perform some detailed analysis of the data in tabular data model. Specifically, you want to:
View the full name of each employee and aggregate sales data based on the reporting hierarchy of sales employees and managers
View the sales contribution of each sales employee and manager as a percentage of the total sales achieved
View year on year sales growth as a percentage
View sales values for the current year and previous year, and show the year on year growth as a monetary value
Students will perform the lab in the role of a data analyst in the Adventure Works Cycles company, and:
Create calculated columns in a PowerPivot Excel workbook.
Create measures.
Upload the Power Pivot workbook to SharePoint and view it there.
Use the PowerPivot workbook in SharePoint as a data source for an Excel PivotTable
Point out that the instructions in the lab are deliberately designed to be high-level so that students need to think carefully about what they are trying to accomplish and work out how best to proceed for themselves. Encourage students to read the scenario information carefully and collaborate with each other to meet the scenario requirements. Remind students that if they find a particular task or exercise too challenging, they can find step-by-step instructions in the lab answer key.

19. Lab 11: Creating Calculated Columns and Measures by Using DAX
Course 10778A
Lab 11: Creating Calculated Columns and Measures by Using DAX
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Exercise 1: Creating Calculated Columns
Exercise 2: Creating Measures
Exercise 3: Using Time Intelligence
Exercise 4: Creating a Dynamic Measure
In this lab, students will create calculated columns, use calculated columns to create a hierarchy, create and reuse measures, create a measure that uses time intelligence, and create a dynamic measure.
Exercise 1
In this exercise, students will create a calculated column by using the CONCATENATE function. Then, they will use the PATH, PATHITEM, and LOOKUPVALUE functions to create calculated columns to support a parent-child relationship hierarchy. Finally, they will use the hierarchy in a PivotTable table.
Exercise 2
In this exercise, students will create a measure that uses the CALCULATE and ALL functions to calculate total sales for all employees. Then, they will reuse this measure to calculate the percentage of sales per employee. Finally, they will use these measures in a PivotTable table and add conditional formatting.
Exercise 3
In this exercise, students will mark a table as Date Table and use the DATEADD function to create a measure. Then, they will reuse this measure to calculate year-on-year growth.
Exercise 4
In this exercise, students will create a linked table and use the HASONEVALUE function to create a measure that checks input values. Then, they will use the IF, SWITCH, VALUES, NOT, ISBLANK, and BLANK functions to create a dynamic measure.
Logon information
Virtual machine
MIA-SQLBI
User name
ADVENTUREWORKS\Student
Password
Pa$$w0rd
Estimated time: 60 minutes

20. Module Review and Takeaways
Course 10778A
Module Review and Takeaways
Module 11: Introduction to DAX
Do you or your colleagues use Excel formulas? What limitations have you encountered? What features of DAX might help you to overcome these limitations?
Do you have any table relationships for which the ability of DAX to support multiple relationships might be useful?
Will time intelligence functionality be useful to you? What kinds of analyses might you want to perform?
Review Questions
Point the students to the appropriate section in the course so that they are able to answer the questions presented in this section. Some guidance for discussing the answers to the questions is included below.
Do you or your colleagues use Excel formulas? What limitations have you encountered? What features of DAX might help you to overcome these limitations?
Answers will vary depending upon individuals and their experiences.
Do you have any table relationships for which the ability of DAX to support multiple relationships might be useful?
Answers will vary depending upon individuals and their experiences. Suggest common multiple relationship scenarios such as relationships that involve Date tables.
Will time intelligence functionality be useful to you? What kinds of analyses might you want to perform?
Answers will vary depending upon individuals and their experiences. Try to match students’ suggestions to the relevant time intelligence functions.