Power BI - What are measures? Tutorial

In this video, you will learn about measures in Microsoft 365. The video covers the importance and benefits of using measures in the Microsoft 365 suite.
Measures allow you to analyze and visualize data effectively, helping you make informed decisions.
This knowledge will enhance your productivity and enable you to maximize the potential of Microsoft 365.

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Available in Microsoft365

Objectifs :

This video aims to teach users how to create a new measure in Power BI Desktop using Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) to perform basic calculations and data analysis. It will guide users through the process of defining a measure, formatting it, and displaying it in a report.

Chapitres :

Introduction to Measures in Power BI
In Power BI Desktop, users can utilize Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) to address various calculation and data analysis challenges. When the default measures do not meet specific needs, users have the option to create their own measures. This video focuses on creating a new measure, with a follow-up video planned to cover quick measures.
Creating a New Measure
To create a new measure, follow these steps: 1. Select the desired table in Power BI. 2. Navigate to the ribbon and click on 'New Measure'. 3. A formula bar will appear at the top, similar to Excel. Start your formula with an equal sign. 4. Rename the measure from 'Measure' to 'Sales Revenue'. 5. After the equal sign, input the DAX function you wish to use. In this case, we will use the SUM function to calculate the total cost. 6. Open parentheses and specify the table name, followed by the field you want to sum (e.g., 'Total Cost'). 7. Close the parentheses and press Enter or click the check mark.
Formatting the Measure
Once the measure is created, it will be represented by a calculator symbol in the fields pane. To format the measure: - Select the measure and choose the desired format (e.g., Euros). - If you prefer no decimal points, change the decimal places to 0 and press Enter.
Adding the Measure to a Report
To display the newly created measure in a report: 1. Select a visual type, such as the 'Card' visual. 2. Drag the 'Sales Revenue' measure onto the card. 3. To view the full amount, go to the format button, select 'Data Label', and change 'Display Units' from 'Auto' to 'None'. 4. Adjust the width of the card as needed.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In this video, we learned how to create and format a new measure in Power BI Desktop. Future videos will explore additional types of measures and their applications in data analysis.

FAQ :

What is Power BI used for?

Power BI is used for data visualization and business intelligence, allowing users to analyze data and share insights through interactive reports and dashboards.

What are Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)?

DAX is a formula language used in Power BI and other Microsoft tools to create custom calculations and queries on data models.

How do I create a new measure in Power BI?

To create a new measure in Power BI, select the table, click on 'New Measure' in the ribbon, and enter your DAX formula in the formula bar.

What is the difference between a new measure and a quick measure?

A new measure allows you to write custom DAX formulas for calculations, while a quick measure provides a guided interface to create common calculations without coding.

How can I format a measure in Power BI?

You can format a measure in Power BI by selecting the measure and adjusting the format settings in the properties pane, such as changing the number format to currency.

What is a visual in Power BI?

A visual in Power BI is a graphical representation of data, such as charts or tables, that helps users understand and analyze information effectively.

Quelques cas d'usages :

Sales Performance Analysis

Using DAX measures to calculate total sales revenue and visualize it in Power BI can help sales teams track performance against targets and identify trends over time.

Budget Tracking

Creating measures to sum total costs allows finance departments to monitor expenses against budgets, providing insights into spending patterns and areas for cost reduction.

Customer Insights

By using DAX to create measures that analyze customer purchase behavior, businesses can tailor marketing strategies and improve customer engagement.

Operational Efficiency

Applying DAX measures to operational data can help organizations identify bottlenecks and optimize processes, leading to improved productivity and reduced costs.

Performance Dashboards

Building dashboards with various visuals that utilize DAX measures allows stakeholders to quickly assess key performance indicators and make informed decisions.

Glossaire :

Power BI

A business analytics tool by Microsoft that enables users to visualize data and share insights across their organization or embed them in an app or website.

Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)

A formula language used in Power BI, Excel, and other Microsoft tools to define custom calculations and queries on data models.

Measure

A calculation used in Power BI that is evaluated based on the context of the data in the report. Measures are typically used to aggregate data.

New Measure

An option in Power BI to create a custom measure using DAX formulas to perform calculations on data.

Quick Measure

A feature in Power BI that allows users to create common calculations without writing DAX code by using a guided interface.

SUM

A DAX function that adds up all the values in a specified column or table.

Total Cost

A field in a data table that represents the total expenses incurred.

Visual

A graphical representation of data in Power BI, such as charts, tables, or cards, used to convey information effectively.

Data Label

Text that appears on a visual in Power BI to provide context or information about the data being displayed.

Display Units

Settings in Power BI that allow users to format the way numbers are displayed, such as in thousands, millions, or as whole numbers.

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expressions Das to solve a number of basic

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calculation and data analysis problems.

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If Power BI default measures

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do not respond to your needs,

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you have the option to create your

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own measures or predefined them.

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You are given two choices. "New measure"

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or "quick measure". In this video,

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we'll see how to create a new measure first.

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Then we'll approach the second

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option in the next video.

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First select the table. Open it,

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and now I'm going to go back to the

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ribbon and click on new measure.

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A formula bar is going to

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appear on top just as in Excel,

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remember the equal sign anounces a formula.

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Just before that,

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I'm going to switch the word

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measure to sales revenue.

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After the equal sign,

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this is where you're going to give the name

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Of the Dex function you wish to use,

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so here I wish to calculate or

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add up the values under the total

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cost field that appears here.

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The dex function is =SUM

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You open the parentheses and then you

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just give the name of the table sales.

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Like so and then I can locate also

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the current field in question.

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Total cost, I double click.

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Close the parentheses and either

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press enter or the check mark.

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So you will notice that I can

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recognize the measure because the

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symbol shows it as a Calculator.

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It is now selected and if I wish to

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switch the format of that number.

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I'm just going to go here.

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Select "euros",

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And if I don't want it,

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decimal point, second select 2

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instead of type 0 and press enter.

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Now on the report I'm going to

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go ahead and pick a visual , I will

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pick the one amount value card.

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And then all I have to do is

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select against sales revenue like

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this and drag it onto the card.

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Now if I want to see the full about,

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I can go back over here to the format button.

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Under datalabel, under display units

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from auto, I'll switch it to none.

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Then I can just adjust the

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widths of the card as such.

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In other videos,

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we'll see how to use other type of measures.

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