Hands-On Business Intelligence with DAX


Book Description

Implement business intelligence (BI), data modeling, and data analytics within Microsoft products such as Power BI, SQL Server, and Excel Key FeaturesUnderstand the ins and outs of DAX expressions and querying functions with the help of easy-to-follow examplesManipulate data of varying complexity and optimize BI workflows to extract key insightsCreate, monitor, and improve the performance of models by writing clean and robust DAX queriesBook Description Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) is known for its ability to increase efficiency by extracting new information from data that is already present in your model. With this book, you’ll learn to use DAX’s functionality and flexibility in the BI and data analytics domains. You’ll start by learning the basics of DAX, along with understanding the importance of good data models, and how to write efficient DAX formulas by using variables and formatting styles. You’ll then explore how DAX queries work with the help of examples. The book will guide you through optimizing the BI workflow by writing powerful DAX queries. Next, you’ll learn to manipulate and load data of varying complexity within Microsoft products such as Power BI, SQL Server, and Excel Power Pivot. You’ll then discover how to build and extend your data models to gain additional insights, before covering progressive DAX syntax and functions to understand complex relationships in DAX. Later, you’ll focus on important DAX functions, specifically those related to tables, date and time, filtering, and statistics. Finally, you’ll delve into advanced topics such as how the formula and storage engines work to optimize queries. By the end of this book, you’ll have gained hands-on experience in employing DAX to enhance your data models by extracting new information and gaining deeper insights. What you will learnUnderstand DAX, from the basics through to advanced topics, and learn to build effective data modelsWrite and use DAX functions and expressions with the help of hands-on examplesDiscover how to handle errors in your DAX code, and avoid unwanted resultsLoad data into a data model using Power BI, Excel Power Pivot, and SSAS TabularCover DAX functions such as date, time, and time intelligence using code examplesGain insights into data by using DAX to create new informationUnderstand the DAX VertiPaq engine and how it can help you optimize data modelsWho this book is for This book is for data analysts, business analysts, BI developers, or SQL users who want to make the best use of DAX in the BI and data analytics domain with the help of examples. Some understanding of BI concepts is mandatory to fully understand the concepts covered in the book.




The Definitive Guide to DAX


Book Description

This comprehensive and authoritative guide will teach you the DAX language for business intelligence, data modeling, and analytics. Leading Microsoft BI consultants Marco Russo and Alberto Ferrari help you master everything from table functions through advanced code and model optimization. You’ll learn exactly what happens under the hood when you run a DAX expression, how DAX behaves differently from other languages, and how to use this knowledge to write fast, robust code. If you want to leverage all of DAX’s remarkable power and flexibility, this no-compromise “deep dive” is exactly what you need. Perform powerful data analysis with DAX for Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Excel, and Power BI Master core DAX concepts, including calculated columns, measures, and error handling Understand evaluation contexts and the CALCULATE and CALCULATETABLE functions Perform time-based calculations: YTD, MTD, previous year, working days, and more Work with expanded tables, complex functions, and elaborate DAX expressions Perform calculations over hierarchies, including parent/child hierarchies Use DAX to express diverse and unusual relationships Measure DAX query performance with SQL Server Profiler and DAX Studio




Beginning DAX with Power BI


Book Description

Attention all SQL Pros, DAX is not just for writing Excel-based formulas! Get hands-on learning and expert advice on how to use the vast capabilities of the DAX language to solve common data modeling challenges. Beginning DAX with Power BI teaches key concepts such as mapping techniques from SQL to DAX, filtering, grouping, joining, pivoting, and using temporary tables, all aimed at the SQL professional. Join author Philip Seamark as he guides you on a journey through typical business data transformation scenarios and challenges, and teaches you, step-by-step, how to resolve challenges using DAX. Tips, tricks, and shortcuts are included and explained, along with examples of the SQL equivalent, in order to accelerate learning. Examples in the book range from beginner to advanced, with plenty of detailed explanation when walking through each scenario. What You’ll Learn Turbocharge your Power BI model by adding advanced DAX programming techniques Know when to use calculated measures versus calculated columns Generate new tables on the fly from existing data Optimize, monitor, and tune Power BI to improve performance of your models Discover new ideas, tricks, and time-saving techniques for better models Who This Book Is For Business intelligence developers, business analysts, or any SQL user who wants to use Power BI as a reporting tool. A solid understanding of SQL is recommended, as examples throughout the book include the DAX equivalents to SQL problem/solution scenarios.




DAX Cookbook


Book Description

Solve real-world business problems by learning how to create common industry key performance indicators and other calculations using DAX within Microsoft products such as Power BI, SQL Server, and Excel. Key FeaturesLearn to write sophisticated DAX queries to solve business intelligence and data analytics challengesHandle performance issues and optimization within the data model, DAX calculations and moreSolve business issues with Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and SQL Server using DAX queriesBook Description DAX provides an extra edge by extracting key information from the data that is already present in your model. Filled with examples of practical, real-world calculations geared toward business metrics and key performance indicators, this cookbook features solutions that you can apply for your own business analysis needs. You'll learn to write various DAX expressions and functions to understand how DAX queries work. The book also covers sections on dates, time, and duration to help you deal with working days, time zones, and shifts. You'll then discover how to manipulate text and numbers to create dynamic titles and ranks, and deal with measure totals. Later, you'll explore common business metrics for finance, customers, employees, and projects. The book will also show you how to implement common industry metrics such as days of supply, mean time between failure, order cycle time and overall equipment effectiveness. In the concluding chapters, you'll learn to apply statistical formulas for covariance, kurtosis, and skewness. Finally, you'll explore advanced DAX patterns for interpolation, inverse aggregators, inverse slicers, and even forecasting with a deseasonalized correlation coefficient. By the end of this book, you'll have the skills you need to use DAX's functionality and flexibility in business intelligence and data analytics. What you will learnUnderstand how to create common calculations for dates, time, and durationCreate key performance indicators (KPIs) and other business calculationsDevelop general DAX calculations that deal with text and numbersDiscover new ideas and time-saving techniques for better calculations and modelsPerform advanced DAX calculations for solving statistical measures and other mathematical formulasHandle errors in DAX and learn how to debug DAX calculationsUnderstand how to optimize your data modelsWho this book is for Business users, BI developers, data analysts, and SQL users who are looking for solutions to the challenges faced while solving analytical operations using DAX techniques and patterns will find this book useful. Basic knowledge of the DAX language and Microsoft services is mandatory.




Mastering Microsoft Power BI


Book Description

Design, create and manage robust Power BI solutions to gain meaningful business insights Key Features Master all the dashboarding and reporting features of Microsoft Power BI Combine data from multiple sources, create stunning visualizations and publish your reports across multiple platforms A comprehensive guide with real-world use cases and examples demonstrating how you can get the best out of Microsoft Power BI Book DescriptionThis book is intended for business intelligence professionals responsible for the design and development of Power BI content as well as managers, architects and administrators who oversee Power BI projects and deployments. The chapters flow from the planning of a Power BI project through the development and distribution of content to the administration of Power BI for an organization. BI developers will learn how to create sustainable and impactful Power BI datasets, reports, and dashboards. This includes connecting to data sources, shaping and enhancing source data, and developing an analytical data model. Additionally, top report and dashboard design practices are described using features such as Bookmarks and the Power KPI visual. BI managers will learn how Power BI’s tools work together such as with the On-premises data gateway and how content can be staged and securely distributed via Apps. Additionally, both the Power BI Report Server and Power BI Premium are reviewed. By the end of this book, you will be confident in creating effective charts, tables, reports or dashboards for any kind of data using the tools and techniques in Microsoft Power BI.What you will learn Build efficient data retrieval and transformation processes with the Power Query M Language Design scalable, user-friendly DirectQuery and Import Data Models Develop visually rich, immersive, and interactive reports and dashboards Maintain version control and stage deployments across development, test, and production environments Manage and monitor the Power BI Service and the On-premises data gateway Develop a fully on-premise solution with the Power BI Report Server Scale up a Power BI solution via Power BI Premium capacity and migration to Azure Analysis Services or SQL Server Analysis Services Who this book is for Business Intelligence professionals and existing Power BI users looking to master Power BI for all their data visualization and dashboarding needs will find this book to be useful. While understanding of the basic BI concepts is required, some exposure to Microsoft Power BI will be helpful.




Pro DAX with Power BI


Book Description

Learn the intricate workings of DAX and the mechanics that are necessary to solve advanced Power BI challenges. This book is all about DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), the formula language used in Power BI—Microsoft’s leading self-service business intelligence application—and covers other products such as PowerPivot and SQL Server Analysis Services Tabular. You will learn how to leverage the advanced applications of DAX to solve complex tasks. Often a task seems complex due to a lack of understanding, or a misunderstanding of core principles, and how certain components interact with each other. The authors of this book use solutions and examples to teach you how to solve complex problems. They explain the intricate workings of important concepts such as Filter Context and Context Transition. You will learn how Power BI, through combining DAX building blocks (such as measures, table filtering, and data lineage), can yield extraordinary analytical power. Throughout Pro Dax with Power BI these building blocks are used to create and compose solutions for advanced DAX problems, so you can independently build solutions to your own complex problems, and gain valuable insight from your data. What You Will Learn Understand the intricate workings of DAX to solve advanced problems Deconstruct problems into manageable parts in order to create your own recipes Apply predefined solutions for addressing problems, and link back step-by-step to the mechanics of DAX, to know the foundation of this powerful query language Get fully on board with DAX, a new and evolving language, by learning best practices Who This Book Is For Anyone who wants to use Power BI to build advanced and complex models. Some experience writing DAX is helpful, but not essential if you have experience with other data query languages such as MDX or SQL.




Supercharge Power BI


Book Description

Master the power of DAX and data modeling in Power BI to elevate your data analysis skills. This comprehensive guide covers essential functions, advanced techniques, and practical examples for mastering business analytics. Key Features Comprehensive coverage of DAX functions Step-by-step progression from basics to advanced topics Practical examples to reinforce learning Book DescriptionThis guide is designed to empower Power BI users with advanced skills in data modeling and DAX. It begins with an introduction to the foundational concepts of data modeling, where you'll learn how to structure your data for optimal performance and analysis. You’ll then progress to mastering essential DAX functions, including iterators, filters, and time intelligence. These chapters will help you create sophisticated calculations that bring your data to life. As you advance, the guide delves into more complex topics like evaluation context, context transition, and disconnected tables. These concepts are crucial for understanding how DAX formulas interact with your data, enabling you to build more accurate and insightful reports. The guide also covers practical applications, such as transferring DAX skills to Excel and using advanced Power BI features like Analyze in Excel and Cube Formulas. By the end of this book, you'll have a deep understanding of both data modeling and DAX, equipping you with the knowledge to tackle complex data challenges. Whether you’re working on business intelligence projects or enhancing your data analysis capabilities, this guide will give you the tools to excel in Power BI.What you will learn Create and load data models Master DAX functions Utilize filter propagation Implement time intelligence Transition context efficiently Transfer DAX skills to Excel Who this book is for This book is ideal for data analysts, business intelligence professionals, and Power BI users looking to deepen their understanding of DAX and data modeling. A basic understanding of Power BI and familiarity with data analysis concepts are recommended.




Beginning Microsoft Power BI


Book Description

Analyze company data quickly and easily using Microsoft’s powerful data tools. Learn to build scalable and robust data models, clean and combine different data sources effectively, and create compelling and professional visuals. Beginning Power BI is a hands-on, activity-based guide that takes you through the process of analyzing your data using the tools that that encompass the core of Microsoft’s self-service BI offering. Starting with Power Query, you will learn how to get data from a variety of sources, and see just how easy it is to clean and shape the data prior to importing it into a data model. Using Power BI tabular and the Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), you will learn to create robust scalable data models which will serve as the foundation of your data analysis. From there you will enter the world of compelling interactive visualizations to analyze and gain insight into your data. You will wrap up your Power BI journey by learning how to package and share your reports and dashboards with your colleagues. Author Dan Clark takes you through each topic using step-by-step activities and plenty of screen shots to help familiarize you with the tools. This third edition covers the new and evolving features in the Power BI platform and new chapters on data flows and composite models. This book is your hands-on guide to quick, reliable, and valuable data insight. What You Will Learn Simplify data discovery, association, and cleansingBuild solid analytical data models Create robust interactive data presentations Combine analytical and geographic data in map-based visualizations Publish and share dashboards and reports Who This Book Is For Business analysts, database administrators, developers, and other professionals looking to better understand and communicate with data




Microsoft Power BI Quick Start Guide


Book Description

Bring your data to life with Power BI Key Features Get to grips with the fundamentals of Microsoft Power BI and its Business Intelligence capabilities Build accurate analytical models, reports and dashboards Get faster and more intuitive insights from your data using Microsoft Power BI Book DescriptionMicrosoft Power BI is a cloud-based service that helps you easily visualize and share insights using your organization's data.This book will get you started with business intelligence using the Power BI toolset, covering essential concepts such as installation,designing effective data models, as well as building basic dashboards and visualizations to make your data come to life You will learn how to get your data the way you want – connecting to data sources sources and how to clean your data with the Power BI Query Editor. You will next learn how to properly design your data model to make your data easier to work with.. You will next learn how to properly design your data model to navigate table relationships and build DAX formulas to make your data easier to work with. Visualizing your data is another key element of this book, and you will learn how to follow proper data visualization styles and enhanced digital storytelling techniques. By the end of this book, you will understand how to administer your organization's Power BI environment so deployment can be made seamless, data refreshes can run properly, and security can be fully implementedWhat you will learn Connect to data sources using both import and DirectQuery options Use the Query Editor to apply data transformations and data cleansing processes, including learning how to write M and R scripts Design optimized data models by designing relationships and DAX calculations Leverage built-in and custom visuals to design effective reports Use the Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service to implement Row Level Security on your model Administer a Power BI cloud tenant for your organization Deploy your Power BI Desktop files into the Power BI Report Server Who this book is for This book is for aspiring Business Intelligence professionals who want to get up and running with Microsoft Power BI. If you have a basic understanding of BI concepts and want to learn how to apply them using Microsoft Power BI, this book is for you.




Microsoft Power BI Cookbook


Book Description

Publisher's note: This edition from 2021 is outdated and does not cover the most recent Power BI updates. A new third edition, updated to the latest release is now available in color Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free eBook in the PDF format. Key Features Update your knowledge with new recipes for query optimization, aggregation tables, Power BI API, and paginated reports Work with recipes across diverse Power BI platforms including the Power BI Service and Mobile Applications Implement custom solutions with M and DAX languages through actionable guidance and proven development techniques Book DescriptionThe complete everyday reference guide to Power BI, written by an internationally recognized Power BI expert duo, is back with a new and updated edition. Packed with revised practical recipes, Microsoft Power BI Cookbook, Second Edition, helps you navigate Power BI tools and advanced features. It also demonstrates the use of end-to-end solutions that integrate those features to get the most out of Power BI. With the help of the recipes in this book, you’ll gain advanced design and development insight, practical tips, and guidance on enhancing existing Power BI projects. The updated recipes will equip you with everything you need to know to implement evergreen frameworks that will stay relevant as Power BI updates. You’ll familiarize yourself with Power BI development tools and services by going deep into the data connectivity, transformation, modeling, visualization, and analytical capabilities of Power BI. By the end of this book, you’ll make the most of Power BI’s functional programming languages of DAX and M and deliver powerful solutions to common business intelligence challenges.What you will learn Cleanse, stage, and integrate your data sources with Power Query (M) Remove data complexities and provide users with intuitive, self-service BI capabilities Build business logic and analysis into your solutions via the DAX programming language and dashboard-ready calculations Implement aggregation tables to accelerate query performance over large data sources Create and integrate paginated reports Understand the differences and implications of DirectQuery, live connections, Import, and Composite model datasets Integrate other Microsoft data tools into your Power BI solution Who this book is for If you’re a BI professional who wants to up their knowledge of Power BI and offer more value to their organization, then this book is for you. Those looking for quick solutions to common Power BI problems will also find this book an extremely useful resource. Please be aware that this is not a beginner’s guide; you’ll need a solid understanding of Power BI and experience working with datasets before you dive in.