6 DAX Expression Functions Flashcards
What is the purpose of Time Intelligence functions in DAX?
To analyze trends, seasonality, and performance over time and compare data across different periods
What does the DAX function FIRSTDATE do?
Gets the first date in a period
What does the DAX function LASTDATE do?
Gets the last date in a period
What is the purpose of the PARALLELPERIOD function?
To compare a period to a previous period
What does the SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR function return?
The same period from the previous year
What do the TOTALQTD and TOTALMTD functions calculate?
Totals for quarter-to-date and month-to-date
What is a moving average in DAX?
A calculation that averages values over a specified period
Why is having a dedicated date table important in DAX?
For optimal time intelligence calculations
What is the difference between measures and calculated columns in DAX?
Measures perform aggregations based on filter context; calculated columns operate on a row-by-row basis
What does the DISTINCTCOUNT function do?
Counts only unique values in a column, ignoring duplicates
What is the difference between COUNT and COUNTA?
COUNT counts numbers; COUNTA counts non-blank values, including text
What are iterator functions in DAX?
Functions like SUMX and AVERAGEX that perform calculations row-by-row before aggregating
Fill in the blank: The SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR function is used to retrieve data from the _______ year.
previous
True or False: COUNT function in DAX counts both numbers and text values.
False
What can DAX functions for time intelligence help identify?
Trends, forecasting future performance, and understanding KPIs
List three examples of time intelligence functions in DAX.
- FIRSTDATE
- LASTDATE
- SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
What is the function of AVERAGEX in calculating moving averages?
Calculates the average over a specified set of data points
