Power BI lesson
Measures or columns?
Price belongs to each sale, so it's a column: you could put it on an axis or in a slicer. Total Revenue is one number for whatever is selected, so it's a measure.
Try this lesson free →The idea
A calculated column is worked out once for every row and stored in the table. A measure is worked out when it's shown, for whatever is filtered:
Key points
Calculated columnRow by row, stored in the table. Use it to slice, filter or group by.
MeasureOne answer for whatever is filtered. Use it for totals, averages and ratios.
The testNeed it on an axis or in a slicer? Column. Need a number that changes with filters? Measure.
It's one of the most common Power BI interview questions. When in doubt, prefer a measure: it doesn't make the file bigger.
In Power BI Desktop
Table tools, then New column, for a calculated column. Home, then New measure, for a measure.
Practice
1. You want a slicer with Big and Small orders. What do you need?
A calculated column2. You want total revenue that updates when someone picks a store. What should you write?
A measure3. Which one is worked out row by row and stored in the table?
A calculated column4. Your manager wants an Average Order card that works on every page and every filter. What do you write?
A measureLearn it by doing. This lesson is a short hands-on level on Bampaa: see it work, then build and write it yourself, with instant feedback.
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