No More DAX? Power BI’s NEW Feature Explained (File Included)

Introduction

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of DAX formulas in Power BI? Perhaps you're just getting started, and the thought of mastering DAX feels like a huge challenge. What if there was an easier way to handle those calculations? Say hello to Power BI's brand new visual calculations feature.

Visual calculations simplify the creation of DAX measures, allowing you to directly reference fields in your visuals. This means less hassle and more time to focus on what really matters: producing powerful reports.

Using Visual Calculations

Let’s take a closer look at how you can leverage visual calculations to create insightful reports with ease. You can follow along with the example file provided in the link within the video description.

Creating a Running Total

Before the introduction of visual calculations, writing running total measures involved using multiple DAX functions, which could be overwhelming, particularly for beginners. However, now you can add a running total effortlessly. Here’s how you do it:

Select the visual you want to modify.
Navigate to the Home tab, then click on 'New Calculation.' This action opens the visual calculation pane below the visual.
Click on the "fx" icon to access a range of templates for visual calculations, including a running sum option.

Upon clicking the running sum option, you will notice that it requires one argument: the field to sum. If you delete the existing field, a list of available fields in your visual appears. In this case, select the 'Sum of Sales' field and press Enter. Voila! You now have a running total of sales by month displayed in your visual.

A notable feature is the ability to hide the 'Sum of Sales' from your visual while retaining the running total. Just remember that you cannot delete the sum of sales because it is still referenced by your visual calculation.

Adding a Moving Average

Another common calculation that has historically posed challenges is the moving average. A traditional formula for moving averages can be intimidating, but using visual calculations streamlines this task. Here’s how to achieve it effortlessly:

Click 'New Calculation' and select the moving average template from the function dropdown.
The function prompts for two arguments: the field (in this case, 'Sum of Sales') and the window size (the number of periods you want to average).
After inputting '3' for a three-month moving average and naming it accordingly, hit Enter to see your moving average displayed.

Formatting Visual Calculations

If you need to edit your visual calculations, simple clicks will take you back to the visual calculation pane so you can make adjustments. However, there are some limitations with using visual calculations, such as the inability to apply formatting in the usual manner.

For instance, if you want to calculate sales as a percentage of the grand total, you can create a new calculation. While visual calculations themselves don't support traditional formatting, you can exploit a workaround using the FORMAT function to include percentage symbols in your formula.

Limitations of Visual Calculations

Currently, conditional formatting cannot be applied to visual calculations directly. If you wish to represent values as a percentage of the grand total, it may be more efficient to use the 'Show Values As' option available for your values field.

Visual calculations are currently a preview feature, with Microsoft expected to enhance capabilities and functionalities over time. To enable visual calculations, ensure you have the latest version of Power BI Desktop installed, navigate to Options, and ensure the feature is enabled.

Conclusion

Visual calculations simplify working with DAX formulas in Power BI, making data analysis more accessible. They open doors for users transitioning from Excel to Power BI, empowering them with powerful reporting capabilities without the steep learning curve associated with traditional DAX.

Keyword

DAX, Power BI, visual calculations, running total, moving average, formatting, data analysis, report generation, Excel.

FAQ

Q: What are visual calculations in Power BI?
A: Visual calculations are a feature in Power BI that simplifies creating DAX measures by allowing users to directly reference fields in their visuals.

Q: Can I create a running total without complex DAX formulas?
A: Yes! With visual calculations, you can create a running total easily by selecting a template and referencing the appropriate fields.

Q: Are there limitations to visual calculations?
A: Yes, limitations include the inability to apply traditional formatting and conditional formatting directly to visual calculations.

Q: Can I edit visual calculations once they are created?
A: Absolutely! You can edit visual calculations by clicking on them to return to the visual calculation pane and make necessary changes.

Q: How can I enable visual calculations in Power BI?
A: Ensure you have the latest version of Power BI Desktop, then go to Options, find Preview Features, and enable visual calculations. Restart Power BI to apply the changes.