DAX is where most Power BI beginners get stuck.

Not because DAX is impossible but because they try to learn everything at once.

The truth is:
You only need a small set of DAX functions to start building useful dashboards.

These are the 8 DAX functions every beginner should learn first.

Why DAX Matters in Power BI

DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is what allows you to:

• Create calculations
• Build KPIs
• Control how numbers change with filters

Without DAX, Power BI is just charts.

With DAX, Power BI becomes analysis.

8 Essential DAX Functions for Beginners

1. SUM()

Adds values in a column.

Total Sales = SUM(Sales[Amount])

Why it matters:
This is the foundation of almost every metric.

2. COUNT() / COUNTROWS()

Counts values or rows.

Total Orders = COUNTROWS(Orders)

Why it matters:
Used to track volume, activity, and growth.

3. AVERAGE()

Calculates the average.

Average Sales = AVERAGE(Sales[Amount])

Why it matters:
Helps analyze performance trends and benchmarks.

4. CALCULATE()

Changes how calculations behave under filters.

Sales in 2025 = CALCULATE(
    SUM(Sales[Amount]),
    YEAR(Sales[Date]) = 2025
)

Why it matters:
CALCULATE is the most important DAX function to understand.

5. IF()

Adds logical conditions.

Sales Category =
IF(Sales[Amount] > 1000, "High", "Low")

Why it matters:
Used for flags, labels, and conditional logic.

6. DISTINCTCOUNT()

Counts unique values.

Unique Customers = DISTINCTCOUNT(Sales[CustomerID])

Why it matters:
Essential for customer, user, and product analysis.

7. FILTER()

Filters tables using conditions.

High Value Sales =
CALCULATE(
    SUM(Sales[Amount]),
    FILTER(Sales, Sales[Amount] > 1000)
)

Why it matters:
Gives you more control than basic filters.

8. RELATED()

Pulls data from related tables.

Customer Country = RELATED(Customers[Country])

Why it matters:
Lets you use relationships correctly in calculations.

Measures Over Columns

Beginners often create too many calculated columns.

Best practice:
Use measures whenever possible, they’re faster and more flexible.

Common DAX Mistakes Beginners Make

• Copying formulas without understanding
• Ignoring filter context
• Overusing calculated columns
• Avoiding CALCULATE

Learn the logic, not just the syntax.

Why These 8 Functions Are Enough at First

With just these functions, you can:

• Build KPIs
• Create dashboards
• Answer business questions
• Pass beginner Power BI interviews

Advanced DAX comes later.

DAX doesn’t need to be scary.

Start with these 8 functions, understand how filters affect them, and Power BI will finally make sense.

Master basics first — complexity can wait.

FAQs