Transcribed
Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) - Simply Explained
Jul 14, 2026 ·
15m 29s
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Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) - Simply Explained
Description
Many Power BI users think DAX is just Excel formulas with a new name and then wonder why their numbers don't add up. This episode explains DAX in plain English...
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Many Power BI users think DAX is just Excel formulas with a new name and then wonder why their numbers don't add up. This episode explains DAX in plain English for Power BI beginners and analysts: measures versus calculated columns, filter context, CALCULATE, iterators, time intelligence and the pitfalls to avoid.
In this episode
Key takeaways
Worth quoting
“Here's the thing, most people think DAX is basically Excel formulas with a different name, but it isn't. DAX is a whole different way of thinking about calculations.” – Mirko Peters (00:10)
“If the number needs to change when someone clicks a button, use a measure. If it is the same no matter what, a calculated column is fine.” – Mirko Peters (02:49)
Explore more on M365.FM
Follow and rate M365.FM in your podcast app, and join the free M365 community at m365con.net.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/m365-fm-microsoft-365-azure-cloud-power-platform-ai--6704921/support.
show less
In this episode
- 00:00 – What DAX really is
- 01:55 – Calculated columns versus measures
- 03:28 – The big idea: filter context
- 05:02 – CALCULATE, the most important function
- 07:11 – Iterator functions
- 09:03 – Time intelligence made simple
- 11:06 – Common beginner pitfalls
- 13:09 – Putting it all together
Key takeaways
- DAX works on whole tables and columns rather than cells, so treating it like Excel formulas leads to wrong results.
- Prefer measures over calculated columns, because measures recalculate in the current filter context while columns stay static and bloat the model.
- Master filter context and CALCULATE, use iterators only for row-by-row logic, and mark a proper date table so time intelligence works.
Worth quoting
“Here's the thing, most people think DAX is basically Excel formulas with a different name, but it isn't. DAX is a whole different way of thinking about calculations.” – Mirko Peters (00:10)
“If the number needs to change when someone clicks a button, use a measure. If it is the same no matter what, a calculated column is fine.” – Mirko Peters (02:49)
Explore more on M365.FM
- Episode page: the full episode with chapters, key quotes and FAQ on DAX basics
- DAX – the formula language the episode explains, from measures to CALCULATE and iterators
- Power BI – where DAX measures react to slicers, visuals and filters in every report
- Microsoft Excel – the comparison point, since DAX works on tables and columns, not individual cells
- Semantic model – the data model and relationships that DAX depends on, so fix it first
- Related episode: From DAX to Community: The Power BI Journey with Bernat Agulló Roselló (MVP)
Follow and rate M365.FM in your podcast app, and join the free M365 community at m365con.net.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/m365-fm-microsoft-365-azure-cloud-power-platform-ai--6704921/support.
Information
| Author | Mirko Peters M365, Azure & AI |
| Organization | m365 FM |
| Website | - |
| Tags |
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