Using DAX in Power BI

This two-day instructor-led course provides data professionals with the knowledge and practical skills required to use Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) within Microsoft Power BI. Learners explore how DAX enables advanced calculations, analytical modelling, time intelligence, filtering, ranking and hierarchical analysis to deliver meaningful business insights.

Through a combination of instructor-led learning and hands-on labs, participants gain practical experience creating calculated columns, measures and calculated tables; managing evaluation and filter context; building time intelligence solutions; and developing advanced analytical calculations using real-world business scenarios. By the end of the course, learners will be able to confidently design, build and maintain robust Power BI semantic models using DAX.

Prerequisites

Participants should have:

• A working knowledge of Microsoft Power BI.
• Experience creating Power BI reports and dashboards.
• Familiarity with relational data concepts and data modelling principles.
• An understanding of relationships within Power BI semantic models.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel formulas is beneficial.

Target audience

This course is designed for:

• Power BI developers.
• Data analysts.
• Business intelligence developers.
• Report and dashboard developers.
• Data professionals responsible for creating analytical models and reports using Microsoft Power BI.
• Power BI users looking to develop advanced DAX skills for reporting and data analysis.

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the principles, syntax and evaluation behaviour of DAX.
• Create calculated columns, measures and calculated tables using DAX.
• Apply row context, filter context and query context to build dynamic calculations.
• Build advanced analytical calculations using functions such as CALCULATE, SUMX, FILTER and RANKX.
• Create time intelligence solutions using date tables and period comparison functions.
• Develop calculations that work across related tables and multiple date relationships.
• Use filtering, ranking and hierarchy functions to create rich analytical models.
• Apply DAX best practices when developing and maintaining Power BI semantic models.

Module 1: DAX Fundamentals and Evaluation Context

• Understand the role of DAX within Power BI semantic models.
• Explore calculated columns, measures and calculated tables.
• Understand DAX syntax, conventions and formula structure.
• Learn the differences between row context, filter context and query context.
• Explore how evaluation context affects calculation results and report behaviour.

Module 2: Calculations and Aggregations

• Create calculated columns and reusable measures using DAX.
• Apply logical functions including IF and SWITCH.
• Work with aggregation and iterator functions such as DISTINCTCOUNT, SUMX and AVERAGEX.
• Build robust calculations using DIVIDE.
• Improve readability and maintainability using VAR and RETURN.

Module 3: Calendars and Time Intelligence

• Create and manage date tables using CALENDAR and CALENDARAUTO.
• Build date dimensions and hierarchies for time-based reporting.
• Create month-to-date, quarter-to-date and year-to-date calculations.
• Compare periods using DATEADD, PARALLELPERIOD and SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR.
• Work with multiple date relationships using USERELATIONSHIP.

Module 4: Creating Summaries with CALCULATE and SUMMARIZE

• Create dynamic calculations using CALCULATE.
• Build filtered table expressions using CALCULATETABLE.
• Create grouped summary tables using SUMMARIZE and GROUPBY.
• Develop custom aggregations and business-focused measures.
• Understand when to use scalar values and table expressions.

Module 5: Relationship Functions

• Retrieve related data using RELATED and RELATEDTABLE.
• Create calculations across multiple related tables.
• Work with active and inactive relationships in Power BI models.
• Apply USERELATIONSHIP to support alternative date and reporting scenarios.
• Control filter propagation using CROSSFILTER.

Module 6: Filtering and Context Management

• Create advanced filters using FILTER.
• Manage filter behaviour with ALL, ALLEXCEPT and ALLSELECTED.
• Build dynamic calculations using VALUES and SELECTEDVALUE.
• Detect and respond to filter context using ISFILTERED and HASONEVALUE.
• Combine filtering techniques to create responsive analytical measures.

Module 7: Ranking and Analytical Calculations

• Analyse unique values using DISTINCT.
• Create ranked calculations using RANKX.
• Identify top and bottom performers using TOPN.
• Build comparative and positional calculations.
• Develop insights based on relative performance and trend analysis.

Module 8: Parent-Child Hierarchies

• Create hierarchical models using PATH functions.
• Analyse hierarchy membership using PATHCONTAINS.
• Retrieve hierarchy levels using PATHITEM and PATHITEMREVERSE.
• Calculate hierarchy depth using PATHLENGTH.
• Retrieve related values and attributes using LOOKUPVALUE.

Exams and assessments

There are no formal examinations included in this course. Learners reinforce their understanding through practical hands-on labs, instructor-led demonstrations, and real-world reporting scenarios designed to build confidence developing advanced analytical models and calculations using DAX within Power BI.

Hands-on learning

This course includes:

• Practical Microsoft Power BI DAX labs.
• Hands-on exercises creating calculated columns, measures and calculated tables.
• Guided activities using context management, filtering and time intelligence.
• Practical exercises using analytical, ranking and hierarchy functions.
• Real-world business intelligence reporting scenarios.
• Instructor-led demonstrations of Power BI semantic modelling and DAX best practices.