Master DAX Foundations in Power BI: Calculations, Data Models & Filter Flow (Part 1)

Video by: Reid Havens

Start thinking in DAX instead of Excel. This interactive guide walks through everything you need to build a mental model for Power BI calculations: what DAX actually is, how measures differ from calculated columns, table and column references, star schema basics, and how filters flow from dimension to fact tables. Part 1 of a 3 part DAX Fundamentals series.

Topics covered:

• Excel formulas vs DAX: what changes and why

• Measures vs calculated columns: when to use each

• DAX syntax: table references, column references, and measure calls

• Star schema: fact tables, dimension tables, and relationships

• Filter flow: how slicers and relationships shape your results

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This One Change Made My Time-Intelligence [DAX] Performance Faster!

Video by: Reid Havens

Microsoft's new calendar-based time intelligence isn't magic, but it's a necessary optimization for every new model (and existing ones with performance issues).

The Results:
✅ Simplified query plans
✅ Fewer rows scanned by Storage Engine (SE)
✅ Same DAX, better syntax

The performance gains come from smarter query optimization. If you're working with large fact tables and time-based calculations, this is how the engine should be working.

What I cover:

• How calendar-based functions optimize the storage engine

• DAX Studio query plan comparison (side-by-side)

• Setting up calendar categories in Power BI

• Migrating from classic DATEADD to calendar-based syntax

• FREE Power BI Calendar Template (PBIX)

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Livestream - PBI Calendar Overhaul: Calendar-Based Time Intelligence (with Jeroen [Jay] ter Heerdt)
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Introducing calendar-based time intelligence in DAX

PBI Calendar Overhaul: Calendar-Based Time Intelligence (with Jeroen [Jay] ter Heerdt)

LIVESTREAM DATE/TIME 📅

October 31st @ 9:30 AM (Pacific Time)

DESCRIPTION 📄

Product Manager Jeroen ter Heerdt demos Power BI’s new calendar-based time intelligence (Preview) — the long-overdue toolbox for anyone who’s ever cursed at week calculations, fiscal oddities, or retail 4-4-5 madness. He’ll show how to enable the preview and use the Calendar options UI or the TMDL model view to declare calendars so DAX finally behaves the way your business calendar actually does.

Expect live demos of week-aware DAX, examples mapping fiscal/retail/ISO calendars, tips on validating calendars (cardinality, partial vs complete categories), and notes on when this can improve performance versus classic time intelligence. This session is practical, so follow along with the preview enabled and bring your weird calendar.

GUEST BIO 👤

Dutch Data Dude. Product Manager at Microsoft.

Jeroen (Jay) ter Heerdt is a Product Manager at Microsoft. He works on Power BI and is passionate about "all things data"; his current focus is on DAX and modeling topics. He strives to be a “datanerd” in all aspects of his life. Jeroen combines enthusiasm, vision, and hands-on experience into his talks. He is on most social media as @jaypowerbi.

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Create a Variance Line ONLY Between First and Last Values in Power BI

Video by: Reid Havens

Wrap up the Power BI visual calculation series by drawing a variance line between the first and last values in your chart! In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use two visual calcs to anchor the start and end points, then connect them with a custom line and error bars — perfect for highlighting overall change over time.

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