Analyst in Action

Have you worked with field parameters? Another functionality that Power BI offers is to improve your reports. What does it do for the users? At first, it looks like a button but it helps to toggle between different fields (can be columns or measures). Let's get our hands dirty and start with an example. I am using sample superstore data. The idea is to make a clustered bar chart with profit and sales in it. On the Y axis, I need both category and subcategory. The basic approach will be just to add another level to the Y axis which will act as a drill down. But what if I say you don't need a drill down. Yes, that's possible with the use of field parameters. Let's create one!! Go to the new parameter under modeling. Select the field parameter from there you will get a pop-up window that looks something like this. You can name your parameter and just drag the fields from the respective tables. I need only category and sub-category. Pro tip- If you can't find the field...

This blog may seem to be very elementary but I firmly believe it is the foundation of DAX in Power BI. Our nucleus for today is Calculated columns and measures in Power BI. If you are a Power BI user you must have come across these terms. You can find both of them in the home tab (placed next to each other). We will highlight the difference between both of them and the limitations associated with them. Let's get started!! You can easily increase the table size by adding calculated columns to it and you can provide a DAX or logic for that column. The most pivotal thing we need to be aware of such columns is that they are calculated at the row level. There are situations when you can't create a relationship between tables in such cases calculated columns can come to the rescue. But be aware that the calculated column occupies a space in the memory which can be good or bad in different scenarios. If the DAX for your calculated column is complex then it can provide you a much bette...

Let's continue where we left in the last blog. As we are quite familiar with the concept of parameters in Tableau Public ( Creating Parameter in Tableau ). In today's blog, we are going to create parameters in Power BI. Parameter is one of the most used features in Power BI as it saves time and makes the dashboard more dynamic in nature. You can easily create parameters in Power BI just by selecting the transform data and on top of that window you can see "Manage Parameter".  In this blog, the main objective is to see how parameter works and how it can improve the reports. To start off I am taking the Global Sample Superstore data into account. Before using parameters if we select regions and sales together we get a simple bar graph. Along with it if I add states then you can see all the states and their sales in the bar graph. It looks great as a method of representation but if your focus is data visualization then it looks really primitive in nature and not easy to ...