Power BI Concepts Series
Part - 3
Calculated Column and
Measure
Annu Jha
(DA)
Topic
What is Calculated Column?
What is Measure?
When to use Calculated Columns and Measures?
Difference between Calculated Column and Measures.
Calculated Column
• A Calculated column is a column that you create in a table
using a DAX formula.
• Calculated columns are computed row by row and stored in
a table.
• These columns are useful when you need to perform a
calculation for each row of data and store the result.
Key Points: Calculated Column
• Static: The column value remain static unless the data
refreshes. It is different from a measure, which recalculates
based on filter context.
• Row-by-Row Context: Calculated column evaluates the DAX
expression for each individual rows, using the row context.
• Stored in Table: The result of the calculated column is stored
directly in the table.
Measures
• A measure is a dynamic calculation that is used to aggregate
or perform operations on data in Power BI.
• Measures are typically used to calculates total, averages, or
other summary values, and they always depend on the filter
context applied to the report.
Key Points: Measures
• Dynamic: Measures result depend on the data being filtered
or selected in the report at the time.
• DAX- Based: Measures are created using DAX, allowing for
complex calculations.
• Aggregated Data: Measures operate on aggregated data,
such as calculating total sales or average profit.
When to use Calculated columns and Measures
When to use Calculated Column When to use Measure
• Row-by-Row Calculation. • Dynamic Aggregations
• Static Values. • Aggregating Data
• Used relationships or Filters. • Less Memory Usage.
Difference between Calculated column and Measure.
Calculated Column Measure
1. Expands table by creating new column. 1. Summarize data inro a single value.
2. Stored along with table, takes space in PBIx file. 2. Calculated at run time, stored temporarily.
3. It works on row context. 3. It works on filter context.
4. It takes physical space in the model. Hence it 4. It does not take physical space in model.
increases size of the model.
5. We can create relationship between two tables 5. We cannot create relationship between tables in
using calculated column. reports using measures.
6. Ex: Profit = [Sales_Amount] – [Cost_Amount] 6. Ex: Total_Quantity = SUM(Sales[Quantity])
Learn and Play With
Data
Stay Tuned for Next Part……..
