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Sebastian Taylor

DAX is essential for working with data and data models in Excel and Power BI. Many analysts start building complex DAX formulas, without a solid grounding in DAX basics, context manipulation, and time intelligence.

In this course, we’ll quickly review the basics of DAX formulas for creating Measures and Calculated Columns. We’ll explore the difference between DAX functions that return a scalar value, and those that return a table. With this deep understanding of scalar values and tables, we'll show you the ins and outs of data modeling and context manipulation.

Read more

DAX is essential for working with data and data models in Excel and Power BI. Many analysts start building complex DAX formulas, without a solid grounding in DAX basics, context manipulation, and time intelligence.

In this course, we’ll quickly review the basics of DAX formulas for creating Measures and Calculated Columns. We’ll explore the difference between DAX functions that return a scalar value, and those that return a table. With this deep understanding of scalar values and tables, we'll show you the ins and outs of data modeling and context manipulation.

Additionally, we'll demonstrate how DAX Studio can integrate with Excel and Power BI, speeding up your DAX development process. If you want to get better at using Excel and Power BI, and understand the power of DAX Studio, this course is for you. We keep it simple, clear, and focused, so you can learn fast and start applying your new skills right away.

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

Recall the core concepts of DAX: measures, calculated columns, row & filter Context

Apply functions that return a single, scalar value of various data types

Manipulate source data with Table Functions

Apply DAX concepts and functions on a Data Model

Analyze data over time with Date & Time Intelligence functionality

This DAX course is perfect for anyone who would like to build up their understanding of Business Intelligence in Excel and Power BI. This course is designed to equip anyone who desires to supercharge their career in data analysis, business intelligence, or other areas of finance with the fundamental knowledge of DAX.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Getting Started
In this course, we’ll review the basics of DAX formulas for creating Measures and Calculated Columns. We’ll explore the difference between DAX functions that return a scalar value, and those that return a table. With this deep understanding of scalar values and tables, we'll show you the ins and outs of data modeling and context manipulation.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces core DAX concepts and tools, which is standard in the business intelligence industry
Covers advanced topics including Time Intelligence, which is highly relevant in the business intelligence field
Taught by Sebastian Taylor, an experienced professional in the field
Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials, which are beneficial for practical learning
Requires a basic understanding of DAX and data modeling, which may be a limitation for complete beginners
Focuses on Excel and Power BI, which may not be suitable for learners who use other data analysis tools

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Reviews summary

Demystifying dax and time intelligence

According to students, this course offers a largely positive experience for those aiming to deepen their DAX knowledge. Learners consistently highlight the clear and concise explanations of complex topics like context manipulation and time intelligence functions. Many find the practical examples and exercises to be particularly valuable, directly applicable to real-world scenarios in Excel and Power BI. The course is often praised for making difficult concepts "finally click", enabling a stronger foundation for data analysis and business intelligence roles. While generally well-received, some mention that advanced users might find certain sections introductory, but overall, it's considered a strong progression from DAX basics.
Some advanced users may find parts recap basic concepts; generally suitable.
"While the 'intermediate' title is accurate, some topics could have gone a bit deeper for those aiming for expert level."
"I found this course a bit basic for 'intermediate'. It rehashes a lot of introductory stuff before getting to the more complex parts."
"Could use more in-depth coverage on complex topics or optimization techniques in the time intelligence."
Integration with DAX Studio is highly beneficial for development.
"I found the DAX Studio section particularly helpful for optimizing my queries."
"The course's insights into DAX Studio significantly sped up my development process."
"Learning to use DAX Studio alongside Excel and Power BI was a game-changer for me."
Excellent for intermediate learners, bridging the gap from basic DAX.
"It's exactly what I needed to advance my skills from basic to truly intermediate."
"This is a must for anyone wanting to move beyond basic DAX."
"Good for professionals looking to enhance their analytical skills in BI and finance."
Significantly improves confidence and capability with DAX.
"Absolutely fantastic! As someone working with large datasets daily, the time intelligence functions were a game changer."
"My productivity has soared since completing this course and applying the DAX knowledge."
"I now feel much more confident building complex DAX measures and understanding context."
Provides immediately applicable skills for real-world data analysis.
"The examples were spot on, directly applicable to my Power BI reports. I appreciate the practical exercises."
"My reports in Excel and Power BI are much more robust now after applying what I learned here."
"I learned how to use practical tools and strategies that I could apply immediately to my work."
Complex DAX concepts are broken down into understandable parts.
"This course truly demystified DAX context and time intelligence. The examples were spot on..."
"I struggled with DAX until this course. The way context manipulation was broken down made it finally click."
"The instructor's explanations are incredibly clear, making even the most complex DAX functions easy to grasp."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intermediate DAX & Time Intelligence with these activities:
Review concepts of Power BI and Excel DAX basics
Refresh your understanding of the basic concepts of DAX, including measures, calculated columns, and context manipulation, to prepare for this course's more advanced topics.
Show steps
  • Review online tutorials on DAX basics
  • Create a simple DAX measure in Power BI or Excel
Complete the Microsoft DAX tutorial
Follow Microsoft's structured tutorial to gain a solid understanding of DAX syntax, functions, and best practices.
Show steps
  • Set up your environment for the tutorial
  • Go through the guided exercises in the tutorial
  • Complete the tutorial's assessment
Solve DAX practice problems
Test your understanding of DAX by solving practice problems that cover various concepts and functions.
Show steps
  • Find online DAX practice problems
  • Attempt to solve the problems on your own
  • Review solutions and learn from your mistakes
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Create a DAX cheat sheet
Consolidate your DAX knowledge by creating a cheat sheet that summarizes key concepts, functions, and syntax.
Show steps
  • Gather relevant DAX information
  • Organize the information into logical sections
  • Create a visually appealing and easy-to-use cheat sheet
Read 'DAX Patterns' by Alberto Ferrari and Marco Russo
Expand your DAX knowledge by reading a book that provides practical patterns and techniques for building efficient and maintainable DAX solutions.
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book thoroughly
  • Apply the patterns and techniques in your own DAX projects
Build a DAX dashboard for a real-world dataset
Apply your DAX skills to a practical project by building a dashboard that analyzes and visualizes data from a real-world dataset.
Show steps
  • Find a suitable dataset
  • Create a data model and import the data
  • Develop DAX measures and calculated columns
  • Design and build the dashboard
Participate in a DAX challenge or hackathon
Challenge yourself and showcase your DAX skills by participating in a competition where you can solve real-world data analysis problems.
Show steps
  • Find a suitable DAX challenge or hackathon
  • Form a team or participate individually
  • Analyze the problem statement and develop a solution
Volunteer as a DAX mentor or tutor
Share your DAX knowledge and gain valuable experience by helping others learn and apply DAX.
Show steps
  • Find opportunities to volunteer as a DAX mentor or tutor
  • Prepare your materials and resources
  • Provide guidance and support to learners

Career center

Learners who complete Intermediate DAX & Time Intelligence will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 50 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intermediate DAX & Time Intelligence.
Provides a rigorous introduction to time series econometrics, with a focus on theoretical concepts. It is particularly useful for graduate students and researchers in econometrics and statistics.
Is widely considered the essential reference for understanding DAX, the formula language of Power BI. It provides a comprehensive deep dive into DAX concepts, evaluation contexts, and optimization techniques. While challenging, it's invaluable for anyone seeking to truly master Power BI's analytical capabilities and is often recommended for intermediate to advanced users and professionals.
Focuses specifically on Power Query (M), the data transformation engine in Power BI. It's an excellent resource for users who need to connect to, clean, and shape data efficiently before analysis. It covers the M language in detail with practical examples, making it highly relevant for data preparation tasks.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to multivariate time series analysis, with a focus on applications in finance, economics, and engineering. It covers a wide range of topics, including vector autoregressive models, state space models, and forecasting.
More than just a basic Excel guide, this book focuses on applying Excel to real-world data analysis and business problems. It's ideal for those looking to deepen their understanding of using Excel for practical applications, including newer features like dynamic arrays and Power Query. is commonly used as a textbook and strong reference for business professionals.
A comprehensive and in-depth guide to DAX, covering advanced concepts and techniques for data modeling, calculation, and visualization, making it suitable for experienced users and professionals.
Serves as a practical cookbook for solving common business problems using DAX. It provides a collection of reusable DAX patterns, making it an excellent companion to 'The Definitive Guide to DAX' for applying DAX in real-world scenarios.
A comprehensive guide to mastering the Power Query M language, this book is for users who need to perform complex data transformations. It delves into the intricacies of M code and provides practical examples for real-world problems.
This practical guide is specifically tailored for those interested in financial modeling using Excel. It provides step-by-step instructions and focuses on applying Excel features to solve common business and financial problems. It's a valuable resource for students and professionals in finance and business roles looking to solidify their modeling skills.
The second edition of this book provides updated coverage on expert data modeling techniques in Power BI. It's a key resource for users looking to build optimized data models for complex reporting and business needs.
Written by the same authors as 'The Definitive Guide to DAX', this book provides a strong foundation in data modeling and analysis using Power BI and Power Pivot. It's a great bridge for those transitioning from Excel and offers clear explanations of key concepts with practical examples.
Focuses specifically on Power Query, a powerful tool within Excel and Power BI for connecting, transforming, and combining data from various sources. It's highly relevant for contemporary data analysis workflows and is essential for users who need to clean and prepare data efficiently before analysis. This book adds significant depth to data manipulation skills within Excel.
Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to data modeling, covering fundamental concepts, techniques, and diagramming. It includes hands-on exercises and self-tests to reinforce learning, making it suitable for high school and undergraduate students, as well as those new to the field.
Combines financial analysis and modeling concepts with the application of Excel and VBA. It's a valuable resource for those in finance who want to leverage Excel's power for complex analysis and automation. It deepens understanding by integrating financial theory with practical Excel implementation.
Offers a detailed look at Power Query, focusing on practical techniques for data collection, combination, and transformation. It's an essential resource for anyone dealing with messy data and provides valuable skills for efficient data preparation in Excel and Power BI. This book significantly deepens understanding of data wrangling.
Is highly recommended for those who want to master financial modeling in Excel. It simplifies complex financial concepts and provides in-depth techniques for building, developing, and deploying financial models. It's a valuable resource for finance professionals and students seeking to deepen their financial modeling expertise.
Focuses on the practical application of Power Query for data collection, combination, and transformation in both Excel and Power BI. It's a valuable resource for anyone who spends significant time preparing data for analysis.
An advanced guide to DAX, focusing on performance optimization and best practices for data modeling, calculation, and visualization, suitable for experienced users and professionals.
Aimed at intermediate to advanced users, this book delves into expert techniques for creating impactful Power BI solutions. It covers various aspects of Power BI, including data modeling, visualization, and deployment, making it a valuable resource for professionals seeking to enhance their skills.
Focuses on the essential skill of data modeling within Power BI, covering concepts relevant to Power BI, Analysis Services tabular, and SQL databases. It's a valuable resource for understanding how to structure data for effective analysis.
Comprehensive guide covering a vast range of Excel topics from beginner to advanced levels. It's an excellent resource for gaining a broad understanding of Excel's capabilities and serves as a valuable reference tool for various functions, formulas, and features. While published in 2018, its foundational content remains highly relevant for solidifying core Excel skills.
Focuses on modern data analysis techniques within Excel, including Power Query and Power Pivot. It's a contemporary resource for users looking to update their data cleaning and reporting processes and perform more rigorous data analysis directly within Excel. It's highly relevant for professionals working with data regularly.
Considered a classic in financial modeling, this book focuses entirely on using Excel to implement financial models. It's a thorough resource for those seeking a deep understanding of financial modeling principles and their practical application in Excel, drawing on real-world company data.
The first volume in a series, this book offers a collection of universal data models applicable across various industries. It's a practical guide providing pre-built patterns for common business concepts like parties, products, and orders. This is an excellent reference for data modelers at all levels, particularly useful for jump-starting modeling projects.
Comprehensive treatment of real analysis, including a chapter on scalar functions. It covers topics such as the real number system, limits, continuity, derivatives, and integrals. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the advanced theory of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to measure theory and integration. It covers topics such as the Lebesgue measure, the Lebesgue integral, and the Radon-Nikodym theorem. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the measure-theoretic foundations of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of functions of several variables. It covers topics such as the multivariable calculus, differential forms, and Stokes' theorem. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the multivariable calculus of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of differential forms and their applications. It covers topics such as the exterior derivative, Stokes' theorem, and de Rham cohomology. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the differential geometry of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of geometric measure theory. It covers topics such as the Hausdorff measure, the Minkowski content, and the Federer-Fleming theorem. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the geometric measure theory of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of convex functions and their applications. It covers topics such as the convexity of functions, the Fenchel-Moreau theorem, and the duality of convex functions. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the convexity of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of the calculus of variations. It covers topics such as the Euler-Lagrange equation, the Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and the Noether theorem. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the calculus of variations of scalar functions.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory of optimal control theory. It covers topics such as the Pontryagin maximum principle, the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, and the calculus of variations. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the optimal control theory of scalar functions.
A comprehensive guide specifically for Excel 365, covering its features and capabilities. Similar to the Excel 2019 Bible, this book offers broad coverage and serves as a valuable reference for users of the subscription-based version of Excel, ensuring relevance to the latest updates.
This handbook provides a solid foundation in financial modeling concepts and their implementation, often using Excel as a tool. It's a good resource for those who want to understand the theory behind financial models while also learning how to build them practically. It's suitable for both students and professionals.
Offers a practical, step-by-step guide to relational database design, including data modeling principles. It's aimed at beginners and those without extensive technical backgrounds, making it suitable for high school or early undergraduate students and business professionals who need to understand database fundamentals.
While not solely focused on data modeling, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the systems and concepts underlying modern data management. It discusses various data models in the context of distributed systems, scalability, and reliability, offering valuable insights for architects and engineers.
This guide provides a quick introduction to Power BI for beginners, covering essential topics like data modeling, visualization, and storytelling with data. It's a good resource for getting up to speed quickly with the core functionalities of Power BI.
Aims to help Power BI users understand the underlying concepts of DAX to write more effective measures. It focuses on building a strong foundation in DAX thinking, which is essential for creating accurate and insightful measures in Power BI. This good resource for those who have started using DAX but need to improve their understanding of how it works to write more complex measures.
Explores reusable data model patterns for common business structures. It helps in applying data modeling rules in an enterprise context and provides high-level models for various business areas. This valuable resource for experienced modelers and professionals looking for proven solutions to recurring modeling challenges.
Serves as a practical guide for beginners to get started with self-service data analytics using Power BI Desktop and Excel. It covers the fundamental steps involved in the BI process using these tools.
Presents an agile approach to dimensional modeling, emphasizing collaboration and iterative development. It provides practical techniques for designing dimensional models that effectively support business requirements and the creation of measures. This valuable resource for data modelers and BI teams looking to adopt a more agile methodology for their data warehousing projects.
An updated guide to VBA and macros in the latest Excel versions, this book strong resource for automating tasks and extending Excel's functionality. It's suitable for users who want to move beyond basic formula and function usage and into more powerful automation.
A concise and practical guide for absolute beginners, this book introduces the basic interface, creating worksheets, using simple formulas, and basic data manipulation. It's an excellent starting point for those with no prior Excel experience and helps build foundational knowledge.
Offers a broad overview of the entire business intelligence lifecycle, providing context for where measures and dimensions fit within a larger BI strategy. It covers topics from data integration to analytics, helping readers understand the process of transforming raw data into actionable insights. This good resource for gaining a broad understanding of the landscape in which measures are used and is valuable for both students and professionals seeking a holistic view of BI. It can serve as a useful reference for understanding the various components of a BI system.
Specifically aimed at Excel users transitioning to Power BI, this book leverages existing Excel knowledge to introduce Power Pivot, Power Query, and DAX. It's a helpful resource for those with a strong Excel background looking to expand their capabilities.
While not solely an Excel book, 'Data Smart' must-read for anyone in data analysis. It provides a comprehensive guide to using data analysis techniques and tools, including how Excel can be used in real-world scenarios. It helps contextualize Excel within the broader field of data science and is valuable for both beginners and experienced professionals.
A comprehensive guide to DAX for Power BI, covering essential concepts, functions, and techniques for data analysis and reporting, making it suitable for beginners and intermediate users.

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