DAX basics in Power BI - Analysis

As you learn how to create effective DAX formulas, you can use your data more efficiently and begin to address real business issues that affect your overall business results.

Knowledge of working in Power BI.

Power BI Users.

• DAX theory
• Syntax / concepts
• Counted columns vs measures
• DAX filters
• DAX sessions
• Contexts
• A few tips and tricks for DAX
• Practice with DAX in Power BI
• Creating a calendar
• COUNT, SUM, AVERAGE
• CALCULATE
• TIME Function (for analytics YoY, MoM, YTD%)
• CALCULATETABLE vs FILTER
• Table functions (UNION, ADDCOLUMNS, CROSSJOIN,…)

Materials are in electronic form.

Is DAX similar to Excel formulas?
Yes, syntactically DAX resembles Excel — it uses similar functions (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT) and formula-writing logic. The key difference is that DAX works with entire tables and the relationships between them, not just individual cells, and it also introduces the concept of context, which has no equivalent in Excel. So if you know Excel formulas, you have a good foundation, but DAX is learned as its own language.

Do I need to complete the Power BI Fundamentals course before enrolling in the DAX course?
Not formally. Power BI Fundamentals is listed as a recommended previous step, so if you can already work with Power BI (even from self-study or work experience), you can enroll in the DAX course directly.

What's the difference between a calculated column and a measure?
A calculated column is computed for each row of a table individually, and the result is physically stored in the data model — it works similarly to a column in Excel. A measure, on the other hand, is calculated dynamically only when used in a visual, and it adapts to the current filter context (e.g., a selected time period or category). Measures are therefore more powerful and flexible for aggregations and analysis.