DAX with Tabular Model Series – What is DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), Where it is used ?

This stairway will contain a series of articles that will expand on the DAX foundation that I have learned over three years. This stairway should help readers prepare for writing, Mastering and Optimizing DAX with Tabular Model

Full form of DAX is Data Analysis Expressions. This language is created by Microsoft to fetch data from Tabular model cubes. This can be used at some more places, that information is given below.

Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) is the formula language used to create custom calculations in Microsoft PowerPivot for Microsoft Excel workbooks and SQL Server 2012 Analysis Services (SSAS) tabular model projects.

DAX formulas include functions, operators, and values to perform advanced calculations on relational tables and columns, including lookups to related values and related tables.

While DAX applies to both PowerPivot workbooks and tabular model projects, this topic applies more specifically to tabular model projects authored in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).

Before reading this topic, you should have a good understanding of tabular models and the tabular model project authoring environment in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).

Lets learn some basic DAX formulas in comparision with SQL. Today we will see how we can select all the columns from a single table

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Select [all_Columns] from [MonthlySales]

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EVALUATE
 (
    MonthlySales
 )

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As you can see in SQL we have started with a Key word SELECT and in case of DAX our query should start with a key word called “EVALUATE”. MonthlySales is the name of the table in a tabular model cube. Consider EVALUATE as similar to SELECT.

That’s all folks; I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about What is DAX and How to select data from a single table and I’ll see you soon with more “DAX” articles.

Thanks!

Pawan Kumar Khowal

MSBISKills.com