Up and Running with DAX for Power BI: A Concise Guide for Non-Technical Users

This book focuses on explaining the core concepts of DAX, the function language of Power BI and PowerPivot, in a way that ordinary folks can gain the skills required to tackle complex data analysis problems. It is written for Excel users and non-technical users of varying levels of ability or anyone who wants to learn DAX for Power BI but lacks the confidence to do so.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 367 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2022
Publisher: APress

This book is designed to provide a concise and accessible guide to learning the DAX function language of Power BI and PowerPivot. While it may not be an introductory book on DAX, it aims to explain the core concepts of DAX in a way that ordinary folks can gain the skills required to tackle complex data analysis problems. However, it is important to note that some of the topics covered, such as context transition and table expansion, are considered advanced and challenging areas of DAX.

While there are numerous resources available on DAX, most are written with developers in mind, making learning DAX appear an overwhelming challenge, especially for those coming from an Excel background or with limited coding experience. The reality is, to hit the ground running with DAX, it is not necessary to wade through copious pages on rarified DAX functions and the technical aspects of the language. There are just a few mandatory concepts that must be fully understood before DAX can be mastered.

Knowledge of everything else in DAX is built on top of these mandatory aspects.

Author Alison Box has been teaching and working with DAX for over eight years, starting with DAX for PowerPivot, the Excel add-in, before moving into the Power BI platform. The guide you hold in your hands is the outcome of these years of experience explaining difficult concepts in a way that people can understand. Over the years, she has refined her approach, distilling down the truth of DAX, which is "you can take people through as many functions as you like, but it's to no avail if they don't truly understand how it all works."

You will learn to use DAX to gain powerful insights into your data by generating complex and challenging business intelligence calculations, including but not limited to:

• Calculations to control the flow of data through your data model.
• Calculations to calculate the impact of changes in your data model on your KPIs.
• Calculations to generate complex calculations and measures that are not possible with other tools.
• Calculations to create custom visuals and reports that provide a deeper understanding of your data.
• Calculations to automate routine tasks and reduce errors.

By mastering the DAX function language, you will be able to unlock the full potential of Power BI and PowerPivot and take your data analysis to the next level. Whether you are a business analyst, data scientist, or just someone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of your data, this book will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.

Weight: 736g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781484281871
Edition number: 1st ed.