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.
If you’re a more moderen Energy BI person, it’s possible you’ll be not sure which of those is the only option to your wants. In case you’ve been utilizing Energy BI for some time, you’re in all probability acquainted with these capabilities, however could also be questioning in case you are using them optimally. Let’s outline every one 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 accomplished both in report view or knowledge view utilizing a DAX system to find out the info that’s displayed. The column will probably be proven beneath Discipline as regular, however you’ll discover an emblem indicating {that a} system was used.
Calculated columns are like different columns in your report, together with that they’re saved in reminiscence. While you refresh your report, the column will calculate row by row, so it can not provide you with real-time updates.
When to make use of a calculated column
A calculated column is usually a useful gizmo in case you are seeking to mix knowledge from a number of columns in a desk or throughout tables. You may also 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 system
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. You might 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 every time the supply knowledge is up to date.
When to make use of a calculated desk
Calculated tables are nice for knowledge that you simply wish to be saved within the mannequin, versus having real-time calculations. If you should be part of two tables or mix knowledge from a number of tables, this operate will work effectively for you. Many report creators get pleasure from it for creating calendar tables as effectively.
You might also select to make use of a calculated desk for calculations that you do not need in your finish report, or that won’t be shared with others. This feature is nice for modeling completely different eventualities. Modelers typically use calculated tables to debug a prolonged DAX expression to verify it’s working easily.
To create a calculated desk:
- From Report View or Knowledge View, go to the Modeling tab
- Inside Modeling, discover the part for Calculations
- Click on “New Desk”
In case you create the desk in Knowledge View, it is possible for you to to see it straight away, so this is usually 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 system. Energy BI additionally has “fast measures” which might be already in DAX, so verify these to avoid wasting your self from writing the code. It is a nice choice 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 Knowledge View. While you create a measure, you’ll discover that it’s listed beneath Fields with a calculator image subsequent to it. This means that it’s the results of a calculation, somewhat than pulled from one other supply.
When to make use of a measure
Measures are most helpful if you should mixture your knowledge indirectly, or want up-to-the-minute calculations. The opposite profit of making a measure is you could then apply it to different tables as effectively – as soon as it’s created you’ll be able to transfer it as wanted. If you recognize there’s a calculation you’ll be finishing typically, 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 system
- When full, your measure will probably be listed beneath Fields
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