Introduction to DAX for Power BI

Course 1365

  • Duration: 2 days
  • Labs: Yes
  • Language: English
  • Level: Intermediate

This Introduction to DAX for Power BI presents Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) in Power BI from an intermediate to an advanced level. The journey starts with an introductory discussion about DAX, the syntax of DAX statements, and how to write structured DAX in the DAX editor. You also get an introduction to DAX Studio, a third-party tool that can be used to write DAX. You can decide if you want to use DAX Studio for the course exercises.

We will discuss many of the functions in DAX and how they could be used in a Power BI Project including explaining the use of iterator functions vs standard statistical functions. There are discussions explaining Calculated Columns, Tables, and Measures discussing the differences. There is also an explanation about Quick Measures and how we can utilize those. We will explain DAX Context and where those contexts apply. There are separate discussions for the CALCULATE function, the usage of a Data Model and incorporating a Date Dimension, and also using Time Intelligence Functions. We will conclude with a discussion around utilizing DAX with Row Level Security.

Introduction to DAX for Power BI Delivery Methods

  • In-Person

  • Online

Introduction to DAX for Power BI Course Benefits

Structure DAX with Power BI and DAX Studio

Extract business intelligence by using DAX

Add value with measures, calculated columns and calculated tables using DAX

Utilize the different types of Dax functions

Appreciate DAX context and where it applies

Understand the use of a Data Model and how to extend it

Create a Star and/or Snowflake schema as your data model

Add a Date dimension to your model

Implement Row Level security with DAX

Develop a Star Schema from a Flat File Schema

Decide when to use M in Power Query or DAX in Power BI

Leverage continued support with after-course one-on-one instructor coaching and computing sandbox

Introduction to DAX for Power BI Course Outline

Prerequisites

Audience Profile

This course has been designed specifically for experienced model developers. We recommend that attendees have prior experience working with Power BI Desktop to create data models.

Exam Information

Learning Tree Exam provided at the end of class

Chapter 1: Introduction to DAX

In this module, you will learn:

  • What is DAX?
  • DAX Functions
  • Calculated Columns and Tables
  • Quick Measures and Measures
  • DAX Context
  • Writing DAX in Power BI

Hands-On Exercise 1.1: Introduction to DAX

In this module, you will learn:

  • Understand the role of the Data Model in Power BI
  • Describe the components of a Data Model
  • What are Star and Snowflake schemas?
  • Fact and Dimension tables
  • How to build a Data Model from multiple Data sources
  • Why create a Date Dimension?

Hands-On Exercise 2.1: Working with a Data Model

In this module, you will learn:

  • Writing DAX with DAX Studio
  • Formatting DAX with DAX Formatter
  • Summarizing and Aggregating functions
  • Working with Joins
  • Filtering with DAX
  • Other useful Dax Functions

Hands-on Exercise 3.1 Working with DAX Functions – Part 1

  • Describe the power behind the CALCULATE function
  • Add filters with the CALCULATE function
  • Ignore filters with the CALCULATE function
  • Update filters with the CALCULATE function
  • Describe Time Intelligence and the Time Intelligence functions

Hands-On Exercise 3.2 Working with DAX Functions – Part 2

In this module, you will learn:

  • What is Row Level Security (RLS)
  • Useful DAX functions for RLS
  • Defining Roles for RLS
  • Crating DAX Rules for RLS
  • Managing Security and working with Members

Exercise 4.1 Implementing Row Level Security

In this module, you will learn:

  • Overview of M in Power Query
  • When to use M or DAX

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Introduction to DAX for Power BI FAQs

DAX is an acronym for Data Analysis Expressions. DAX is a functional programming language that consists of a collection of functions, operators, and constants that can be used in a formula, or expression, to calculate and return one or more values. DAX enables you to extract information from the data already in your model.

DAX consists of over 200 functions and these functions are split into categories. It is the combination of these functions that enables you to return insightful information from your data model. One example is the use of the Time Intelligence functions that enable you to calculate period comparisons quickly and effortlessly such as Previous Month, Previous Quarter, or Previous Year.

No, all software and licenses are supplied as part of the Training Course which also means you are not affecting your organization's Power BI Infrastructure. All Reports will be created in the Training System which is an implementation of a live system. The course virtual machine is available to you for a period after the course has finished.

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