The Definitive Guide to DAX
Mastering the semantic model expression language for Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, and Excel
3rd Edition
Published on 4. March 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
848 pages
978-0-13-824472-9 (ISBN)
Description
Seasoned Experts Alberto Ferrari and Marco Russo Help You Master DAX for Superior Business Intelligence Solutions
The Definitive Guide to DAX is an authoritative resource for mastering the DAX language, which is pivotal for creating measures for semantic models in Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, Analysis Services, and Excel. With years of experience since the inception of Power Pivot, the authors offer a comprehensive reference that navigates through the unique and complex concepts of DAX, making it an essential tool for BI professionals. This third edition updates you with the latest features and provides a framework for writing efficient DAX code, enhancing your ability to customize calculations in data models. You will gain the skills necessary to understand and apply advanced DAX concepts, structure code in user-defined functions, and leverage new calendars for time intelligence calculations.
By reading this book, you will:
Understand the foundational concepts of DAX and its unique language structure
Master the use of evaluation contexts to enhance data analysis
Utilize CALCULATE and CALCULATETABLE functions effectively
Implement variables to simplify complex DAX expressions
Leverage classic and new calendar based time intelligence functions
Work with iterators to perform advanced calculations
Apply visual calculations to improve report interactivity
Create and manage calculation groups for dynamic reporting
Handle complex hierarchies and relationships in data models
Author DAX queries for testing and troubleshooting
About This Book
For BI professionals and Excel power users eager to deepen their understanding of DAX and enhance their data modeling capabilities with advanced techniques
For data analysts and IT specialists seeking to optimize their use of Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, Analysis Services, and Excel for more efficient and insightful data analysis
The Definitive Guide to DAX is an authoritative resource for mastering the DAX language, which is pivotal for creating measures for semantic models in Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, Analysis Services, and Excel. With years of experience since the inception of Power Pivot, the authors offer a comprehensive reference that navigates through the unique and complex concepts of DAX, making it an essential tool for BI professionals. This third edition updates you with the latest features and provides a framework for writing efficient DAX code, enhancing your ability to customize calculations in data models. You will gain the skills necessary to understand and apply advanced DAX concepts, structure code in user-defined functions, and leverage new calendars for time intelligence calculations.
By reading this book, you will:
Understand the foundational concepts of DAX and its unique language structure
Master the use of evaluation contexts to enhance data analysis
Utilize CALCULATE and CALCULATETABLE functions effectively
Implement variables to simplify complex DAX expressions
Leverage classic and new calendar based time intelligence functions
Work with iterators to perform advanced calculations
Apply visual calculations to improve report interactivity
Create and manage calculation groups for dynamic reporting
Handle complex hierarchies and relationships in data models
Author DAX queries for testing and troubleshooting
About This Book
For BI professionals and Excel power users eager to deepen their understanding of DAX and enhance their data modeling capabilities with advanced techniques
For data analysts and IT specialists seeking to optimize their use of Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, Analysis Services, and Excel for more efficient and insightful data analysis
More details
Series
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Boston
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 230 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 46 mm
Weight
1390 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-13-824472-9 (9780138244729)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Alberto Ferrari | Marco Russo
The Definitive Guide to DAX
Mastering the semantic model expression language for Microsoft Power BI, Fabric, and Excel
E-Book
12/2025
3rd Edition
Addison Wesley
€47.49
Available for download
Previous edition
Marco Russo | Alberto Ferrari
Definitive Guide to DAX, The
Business intelligence for Microsoft Power BI, SQL Server Analysis Services, and Excel
Book
07/2019
2nd Edition
Microsoft Press
€55.31
Shipment within 3-4 weeks
Persons
Alberto Ferrari and Marco Russo are renowned experts in the fi eld of business intelligence and data analysis, specializing in the DAX language and Microsoft Power BI. As the founders of sqlbi.com, they have established a leading platform for DAX tutorials and articles, sharing their extensive knowledge with a global audience. With a deep understanding of DAX since its early days in Power Pivot, Marco and Alberto have become influential figures in the BI community, regularly speaking at prestigious international conferences such as Microsoft Fabric Conference, PASS Summit, and SQLBits.
Content
1 Introduction to learning DAX
2 Introducing DAX
3 Introducing the filter context and CALCULATE
4 Manipulating the filter context
5 Introducing the row context and the context transition
6 Understanding basic table functions
7 Understanding variables
8 Understanding the evaluation context
9 Working with the evaluation context
10 Understanding user-defined functions in DAX
11 Working with tables
12 Understanding window functions in DAX
13 Time intelligence calculations
14 Understanding visual calculations
15 Understanding calculation groups
16 Inspecting the filter context and managing hierarchies
17 Authoring queries
18 Advanced DAX concepts
19 Practicing DAX with advanced examples
2 Introducing DAX
3 Introducing the filter context and CALCULATE
4 Manipulating the filter context
5 Introducing the row context and the context transition
6 Understanding basic table functions
7 Understanding variables
8 Understanding the evaluation context
9 Working with the evaluation context
10 Understanding user-defined functions in DAX
11 Working with tables
12 Understanding window functions in DAX
13 Time intelligence calculations
14 Understanding visual calculations
15 Understanding calculation groups
16 Inspecting the filter context and managing hierarchies
17 Authoring queries
18 Advanced DAX concepts
19 Practicing DAX with advanced examples