Simple technique to learn DAX for Power BI beginners
Are you new to Power BI and struggling to learn DAX?
Then this article is for you!
What is DAX?
- DAX stands for Data Analysis Expressions.
- It’s used to create measures and calculated columns during the data modelling step in Power BI.
- DAX is necessary every time you need to arrive at a new value using the existing data.
DAX functions
If you look at the DAX documentation on the Microsoft website, there are 100+ DAX functions listed, which could scare you at first look. And with every new update in Power BI, new DAX functions with specific use cases are being launched.
But in reality, you would be using around 20–25 DAX functions regularly in most projects. So as a beginner, you need not learn all the available DAX functions in Power BI. Initially, learn the most commonly used functions like Sum, Average, Calculate, Filter, TopN, Format, Dateadd, etc. A simple google search will provide you with a list of common DAX functions.
Then, as you progress with Power BI, you will encounter certain situations where your existing DAX knowledge might not be able to solve your requirement.
In such a case, what to do?
Simple technique to master DAX as a beginner
I’ve faced this many times during my early days in Power BI. My solution to this problem is GOOGLE. As Dhaval Patel says in his YouTube videos, ‘Google is your best friend’ every time you face a technical problem.
Make sure you construct a phrase based on your requirement and search on Google.
Somewhere someone would have already solved your problem (in most cases)
You can refer to their solution or at least you will identify which new DAX function needs to be used for your problem. There are platforms like DAX guide or Microsoft Learn which provide you with the syntax and example use cases for each DAX function.
Thus, you will be learning new DAX functions on the job. With more experience, the number of DAX functions you learn will also increase. Ensure you make a note of every new DAX function you use in some Google/Word document for your quick future reference.
Mastering DAX
Having said that, the above technique is applicable only when you’re a beginner and new to Power BI. But if you want to learn DAX in a structured way, I’m attaching a few resources below (both free and paid).
SQLBI (free course)
Arpita’s Tech Corner (free YT playlist)
Maven Analytics (paid Udemy course)
Conclusion
At the end of the day, DAX is very important while working on complex Power BI projects and, hence it’s essential you know when and how to use DAX based on your requirements.
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