How to add a calculated column in Power BI [SUPER GUIDE]

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Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Power BI is an incredibly usefultoolwhen it comes to making calculations. However, quite a few users are encountering issues with adding a calculated column in Power BI.

One userdescribedthe problem on the official forum:

I’m quite new with Power Bi and i am using a matrix to group mydatalike this (image below). Now I want to add a new column which allow me to make a new calculation = ([q’ty per unit of 3rd month] – [q’ty per unit of 2nd month]) * [Price per Unit of 3rd month]Is there any simple way help me to do so since I’m not an expect with DAX. Thanks for your help.

So, the OP wants to add a new column that will allow a new calculation. Today we will show you how to do that in a few easy steps.

Steps to add a calculated column in Power BI

1. Create a measure using DAX

DAX stands forData AnalysisExpression and it is the formula language in Power BI. Here you can add functions and formulas for your columns like in the image below.

In the upper case (second arrow), add the following:

Result =VAR qty_per_unit_of_3rd_month =CALCULATE ( MAX ( Table[q’ty per unit] ), FILTER ( Table, Table[Month] = 3 ) )VAR qty_per_unit_of_2rd_month =CALCULATE ( MAX ( Table[q’ty per unit] ), FILTER ( Table, Table[Month] = 2 ) )VAR Price_per_Unit_of_3rd_month =CALCULATE ( MAX ( Table[Price per Unit] ), FILTER ( Table, Table[Month] = 3 ) )RETURNqty_per_unit_of_3rd_month – qty_per_unit_of_2rd_month * Price_per_Unit_of_3rd_month

Adapt the values to make the formulas work for your case.

This guide will make you a better Power BI user. Do check it out now.

2. Apply the measure directly to the slicer

You can also modify the measure as below:

Result =VARqty_per_unit_of_first_month_in_slicer =CALCULATE ( MIN ( Table[q’ty per unit] ), ALLSELECTED ( Table ) )VARqty_per_unit_of_last_month_in_slicer =CALCULATE ( MAX ( Table[q’ty per unit] ), ALLSELECTED ( Table ) )VARPrice_per_Unit_of_last_month =CALCULATE (MAX ( Table[Price per Unit] ),FILTER ( Table, Table[Month] = qty_per_unit_of_last_month_in_slicer ))RETURNqty_per_unit_of_last_month_in_slicer – qty_per_unit_of_first_month_in_slicer * Price_per_Unit_of_last_month

The second measure applies directly to the slicer, so you can compare different months, such as the first and the last.

Conclusion

With calculated columns, you can organize and visualize yourdatain various ways. But first, you need to know a few basic principles and measures for these columns. They are pretty easy to work with once you get to understand them.

How do you add calculated columns in Power BI? Do let us know in the comments section below!

How to add a calculated column in Power BI [SUPER GUIDE]#

Steps to add a calculated column in Power BI#

1. Create a measure using DAX#

2. Apply the measure directly to the slicer#

Conclusion#

How to add a calculated column in Power BI [SUPER GUIDE]

Steps to add a calculated column in Power BI

1. Create a measure using DAX

2. Apply the measure directly to the slicer

Conclusion