DAXDAX Trainer

DAX Concept

Creating Calculated Columns for Building Dimensions

Learn how to create calculated columns in Power BI Desktop using basic arithmetic operators and the DIVIDE function to derive new insights from existing data at the row level.

BeginnerArithmetic Operators (+)DIVIDE

Concept Breakdown

Calculated columns are new columns added to a table in your data model, with values computed row-by-row based on a DAX formula. They are useful for persisting row-level calculations that you want to use in various visuals, filters, or as inputs for other measures. The DIVIDE function is a best practice for division in DAX as it gracefully handles division by zero errors by returning BLANK, preventing common errors that the standard division operator (/) might produce.

What You Will Learn

  1. Understand when to use Arithmetic Operators (+, ), DIVIDE in a Power BI model.

  2. Practice the concept inside a real PBIX report rather than only reading syntax.

  3. Complete a beginner-level task and verify the result with a hidden answer check.

Practice in Power BI

The starter PBIX link has not been attached yet. The student workflow is ready for the admin to connect the file.

  1. Download and unzip the 'Tallest Buildings - Calculated Columns.pbix' file.

  2. Open the `.pbix` file in Power BI Desktop and switch to the Table view for the 'Building' table.

  3. From the 'Table tools' ribbon, select 'New column'.

  4. Rename the new column to 'Total floors' and enter the DAX formula: `='Building'[Floors above ground] + 'Building'[Floors below ground]`. Press Enter.

  5. Create another new calculated column, renaming it 'Average floor height'.

  6. Enter the DAX formula: `=DIVIDE('Building'[Height m], 'Building'[Floors above ground])`. Press Enter.

  7. With the 'Average floor height' column selected, go to the 'Column tools' ribbon and format it to display with two decimal places.

  8. Switch to the Report view and add a table visual.

  9. Add relevant columns to the table visual, including 'Building Name', 'Height m', 'Total floors', and 'Average floor height'. Sort the table as desired.

  10. Save your Power BI Desktop file.

Starter DAX

New Column = 
// Your DAX formula here

Expected Outcome

A Power BI table visual displaying building names, heights, the newly calculated 'Total floors' (as whole numbers), and 'Average floor height' (as numbers with two decimal places) for each building, demonstrating successful row-level calculations.

Checking your sign-in status...