DAX (Data Analysis Expression)

In Power BI, computations are expressed using the DAX formula language. It is based on Microsoft Excel formulas, but unlike the latter, it is not exportable to other programmers and can only be utilized within Power BI. Based on the available data source, the DAX syntax enables you to define measurements, calculated columns, and fields.

Columns with Measures and Calculations

In the syntax, formulae that return values are enclosed in brackets (). In order for Power BI to properly understand logic or nested constructs like IF statements, THEN/ELSE IF/ELSE constructs, DO loops, or WHILE loop constructions when evaluating your expressions, you must enclose them in parenthesis. In Power BI, measurements and calculated columns are also created using DAX. We’ll demonstrate how to use DAX to add a new column to the Employee table. Select “Modeling -> New Column” from the Data View menu.

 

“New Column” menu item. The name of the default column is displayed in the formula bar. The DAX queries can be run in this formula bar. shown in the below picture.

 

Example for DAX

 

Power BI – Differences between the M Language and DAX

Power BI supports both M Language and DAX as expression languages. Both are more comparable to the formulas in Microsoft Excel than they are to any programming language. However, M and DAX are distinct from one another and are applied in various ways when creating Power BI models. As we get to know Microsoft’s new Power BI, we understand there’s more going on behind the scenes. Besides the fact that it considers straightforward and simple admittance to every one of the information sources in your association, it additionally empowers you to control the information in manners that were unthinkable previously.

Both DAX and M languages are included in the most recent edition of Power BI. By applying computations to the incoming data or by connecting to additional data sources and running queries against them, both are utilized to alter the data. You will learn all there is to know about DAX and M language in this post, including how they interact and how they can increase the value of your data. The new Power BI programming language M combines the readability of Excel with the flexibility of SQL. It is made to be easy to understand, read, and utilize.

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M Language

M Query is a “mashup” query language that can be used to query a lot of data from many sources.It is used in the first part of the data import process for Power BI Desktop, which is when data is loaded into the data model and queries are run in the background using M....

DAX (Data Analysis Expression)

In Power BI, computations are expressed using the DAX formula language. It is based on Microsoft Excel formulas, but unlike the latter, it is not exportable to other programmers and can only be utilized within Power BI. Based on the available data source, the DAX syntax enables you to define measurements, calculated columns, and fields....

Differences between DAX and M Language

A formula language is DAX. A query language is called M Language. M Language is less potent than DAX. For instance, M cannot currently define KPIs and measurements, but DAX can. Both of these languages have some differences. Nevertheless, they have extremely similar functions, as follows: Using straightforward syntaxes, they enable you to do data queries within the Power BI service and then display the results using graphs and charts. The biggest difference between them is how versatile they are when building calculated fields or calculated measures to be used in reports; at this time, DAX allows for far greater sophistication than M. (though this will likely change over time). Since its initial release in 2010 with Power Pivot for Excel, the M language has been integrated into the Power BI service....