Power BI storage modes – Import vs Direct Query

When building datasets in Power BI, you have different options on how to connect and store the data in your model. There are two main modes to choose from when querying data from sources. These are import mode and direct query mode. Import mode allows you to import the data in your local dataset, and … Read more

Dimensional modeling for Power BI: The purpose of data modeling

Data modeling techniques and methodologies are a common discussion topic when working on BI or data warehouse projects. There are multiple practices of data modeling and different reporting tools support different ways to handle data. If you have past experience of working in the data area, chances are you have come across Kimball dimensional modeling, … Read more

Export your Power BI DAX measures using DAX Studio

Time to read: 5 minutes Have you ever wanted to search through your Power BI measures, calculated columns or calculated tables for a specific function or table/column reference? Or export your DAX logic for documentation purposes? If this is the case then this post is for you. As a Power BI dataset admin or author, … Read more

Level up your Power BI model using DAX Studio – Part 2

Welcome back to part two of how to level up your workflow and Power BI model using DAX Studio! I’m showing you my go to scenarios on when to use Power BI together with DAX Studio. In the first part of this post I started with an introduction to what DAX Studio is. I discussed … Read more

Level up your Power BI model using DAX Studio – Part 1

DAX Studio is a popular tool used by many Microsoft data professionals. It is commonly used as an advanced enterprise tool when working with tabular models. Are you new to DAX Studio or want to learn more about how to use it in combination with Power BI? Follow along while I show you my go … Read more

Inside Power BI – Compression and the power of Vertipaq

Vertipaq is the actual database engine used in Power BI. It is also the engine used in Analysis Services Tabular and Excel Power Pivot.One of the reasons behind Vertipaq’s great performance is due to the different compression and encoding techniques that it applies to the data. The overall purpose of the different compression techniques used … Read more

Conditional formatting a matrix with Calculation groups in Power BI

Time to read: 5 minutes Calculation groups is a powerful feature in Power BI. However, using them adds some complexity and brings some limitations to Power BI’s native functionality. Or should I say, changes them. One of these cases are related to the use of Conditional formatting using a calculation group as e.g. columns in … Read more

Power BI data types in relationships – Does it matter?

If you have a background in traditional database development you might have learned that using integer over e.g. string has a performance benefit in for example indexes and joins. You might have brought this knowledge with you into the world of Power BI or tabular development. Perhaps you are enforcing the use of integer columns … Read more