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13. DAX: Data Analysis Expressions

13.4 DAX Syntax

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Measure Name = FUNCTION( Table[Column], argument2, ... )
  • Measure/column name, then =, then the expression.
  • Table names with spaces or reserved words need single quotes: 'Date'[Year]. (We always quote 'Date' because Date is also a function name.)
  • Columns are always in square brackets: Orders[Quantity].
  • Text strings in double quotes: "Blinkit".
  • Comments: -- or // for one line, /* … */ for multiple lines.
  • Use Shift + Enter for a new line in the formula bar; indent for readability.
  • DAX is not case-sensitive for function names, but consistent style helps.

Data types in DAX

Whole number (Int64), Decimal number, Currency (fixed decimal), Date/time, Boolean (TRUE/FALSE), String, and BLANK (DAX's version of null). Most arithmetic treats BLANK as 0, while visuals hide rows where all measures are blank.

Operators

Type Operator Example
Arithmetic + - * / ^ Orders[Quantity] * RELATED(Product[Unit Price])
Comparison = == <> > >= < <= Orders[Delivery Time Mins] <= 10
Text concatenation & DarkStore[Area] & ", " & DarkStore[City]
Logical && (AND), || (OR), NOT() Orders[Platform] = "Blinkit" && Orders[Quantity] > 5
List membership IN { } DarkStore[City] IN { "Pune", "Nashik" }

= treats BLANK as equal to 0 or empty string; == is a strict equality where BLANK only equals BLANK.

Ravindra Bagale's Tip

A common syntax mistake is referring to a measure with a table prefix (Orders[Total Sales]) or to a column without one. Use Table[Column] for columns and [Measure] for measures. It makes formulas readable and avoids ambiguity. Clear?