Create Measures by Using DAX with Power BI
Your analytics are only as good as your calculations—and that’s where DAX measures separate amateurs from analysts. This course cuts through the theory and teaches you to write measures that actually solve business problems, not just sit in a model gathering dust.
AIU.ac Verdict: Ideal for BI developers and data analysts who need to move beyond basic Power BI visuals into calculated intelligence. The 69-minute runtime is a strength for busy professionals, though you’ll want prior Power BI familiarity to get maximum value.
What This Course Covers
You’ll learn the anatomy of DAX measures—context, syntax, and evaluation order—before moving into practical patterns like year-to-date calculations, running totals, and ratio analysis. Brent walks you through real scenarios where measures outperform calculated columns, and you’ll see how filter context shapes your results.
The course emphasises hands-on application: you’ll build measures that respond to user selections, handle edge cases like blank values, and optimise for performance. By the end, you’ll understand not just how to write DAX, but why certain approaches work better for specific business questions.
Who Is This Course For?
Ideal for:
- Power BI developers: Need to move beyond basic visuals into sophisticated calculated logic that drives decision-making.
- Data analysts transitioning to self-service BI: Want to own their analytics pipeline without relying on SQL or backend developers for every calculation.
- Business intelligence professionals: Building enterprise models and need to master DAX syntax and best practices quickly.
May not suit:
- Complete Power BI beginners: This assumes you’re comfortable navigating Power BI Desktop; foundational BI concepts aren’t covered.
- SQL-only analysts: If you’ve never used Power BI, you’ll struggle with the interface context before grasping DAX logic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Create Measures by Using DAX with Power BI take?
1 hour 9 minutes. It’s designed for busy professionals who need focused, practical training without filler.
Do I need Power BI experience before starting?
Yes. You should be comfortable with Power BI Desktop basics—data loading, relationships, and creating visuals. This course assumes you know the interface.
Will I learn advanced DAX patterns?
The course covers intermediate-to-advanced measure patterns including context manipulation, time intelligence, and performance considerations. It’s not beginner DAX syntax.
Can I apply this to Excel Power Pivot?
Largely yes—DAX syntax is identical. However, the course focuses on Power BI’s interface and optimisation strategies, so some context may differ in Excel.
Course by Brent Allen on Pluralsight. Duration: 1h 9m. Last verified by AIU.ac: March 2026.
