Marco Russo
@marcorus.bsky.social
Consultant, speaker, book writer, mentor. Business Intelligence with Power BI, Analysis Services, and Power Pivot. Other info on sqlbi.com
If you are at PASS Summit 2025, look for me at the Tabular Editor booth in the Exhibit Hall.
I will show a sneak preview of DAX Optimizer basic edition: no emails, no data access, no external tools required.
The easiest way to verify if your semantic model can be optimized.
Coming soon...
I will show a sneak preview of DAX Optimizer basic edition: no emails, no data access, no external tools required.
The easiest way to verify if your semantic model can be optimized.
Coming soon...
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
If you are at PASS Summit 2025, look for me at the Tabular Editor booth in the Exhibit Hall.
I will show a sneak preview of DAX Optimizer basic edition: no emails, no data access, no external tools required.
The easiest way to verify if your semantic model can be optimized.
Coming soon...
I will show a sneak preview of DAX Optimizer basic edition: no emails, no data access, no external tools required.
The easiest way to verify if your semantic model can be optimized.
Coming soon...
Learn the differences between model-dependent and model-independent DAX user-defined functions in this article+video.
Bonus: tips to publish libraries of functions on daxlib.org.
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/model-dependent-and-model-independent-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Bonus: tips to publish libraries of functions on daxlib.org.
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/model-dependent-and-model-independent-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
November 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Learn the differences between model-dependent and model-independent DAX user-defined functions in this article+video.
Bonus: tips to publish libraries of functions on daxlib.org.
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/model-dependent-and-model-independent-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Bonus: tips to publish libraries of functions on daxlib.org.
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/model-dependent-and-model-independent-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Top 10 products are a classic. Reporting which products are in the top 10 for several years is more challenging.
We are looking for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: how to find them in DAX in this article+video.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/find-the-products-in-the-top-10-every-year-with-dax/
We are looking for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: how to find them in DAX in this article+video.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/find-the-products-in-the-top-10-every-year-with-dax/
November 4, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Top 10 products are a classic. Reporting which products are in the top 10 for several years is more challenging.
We are looking for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: how to find them in DAX in this article+video.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/find-the-products-in-the-top-10-every-year-with-dax/
We are looking for 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: how to find them in DAX in this article+video.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/find-the-products-in-the-top-10-every-year-with-dax/
Today you have one task: update DAX Studio to 3.4.0.
If you have a model with DAX UDFs (user-defined functions) or Calendars, here is the version that correctly handles autocompletion and VPAX export.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁? Now you can!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_4_0-release/
If you have a model with DAX UDFs (user-defined functions) or Calendars, here is the version that correctly handles autocompletion and VPAX export.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁? Now you can!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_4_0-release/
October 24, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Today you have one task: update DAX Studio to 3.4.0.
If you have a model with DAX UDFs (user-defined functions) or Calendars, here is the version that correctly handles autocompletion and VPAX export.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁? Now you can!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_4_0-release/
If you have a model with DAX UDFs (user-defined functions) or Calendars, here is the version that correctly handles autocompletion and VPAX export.
𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁? Now you can!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_4_0-release/
This article+video describes when to use VALUES in the table grouped by SUMMARIZE, also mentioning why SUMMARIZECOLUMNS does not have that option.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/using-values-in-summarize/
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/using-values-in-summarize/
October 21, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This article+video describes when to use VALUES in the table grouped by SUMMARIZE, also mentioning why SUMMARIZECOLUMNS does not have that option.
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/using-values-in-summarize/
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/using-values-in-summarize/
Simon Sabin and I sit down and chat to answer one simple question: why bother with conferences in 2026?
In the chat, we talk about meeting peers, asking real questions, and learning from battle-tested content (not vendor demos).
Watch (or just listen to) the video:
https://youtu.be/zwGDfL-B3jQ
In the chat, we talk about meeting peers, asking real questions, and learning from battle-tested content (not vendor demos).
Watch (or just listen to) the video:
https://youtu.be/zwGDfL-B3jQ
September 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Simon Sabin and I sit down and chat to answer one simple question: why bother with conferences in 2026?
In the chat, we talk about meeting peers, asking real questions, and learning from battle-tested content (not vendor demos).
Watch (or just listen to) the video:
https://youtu.be/zwGDfL-B3jQ
In the chat, we talk about meeting peers, asking real questions, and learning from battle-tested content (not vendor demos).
Watch (or just listen to) the video:
https://youtu.be/zwGDfL-B3jQ
I will be delivering a "Mastering DAX" Workshop in Lugano, Switzerland, from October 28-30, 2025.
This workshop is also near Northern Italy, France, and Southern Germany.
The workshop is in English.
For more details, visit: https://www.sqlbi.com/p/mastering-dax-workshop-lugano-oct-28-30-2025/
This workshop is also near Northern Italy, France, and Southern Germany.
The workshop is in English.
For more details, visit: https://www.sqlbi.com/p/mastering-dax-workshop-lugano-oct-28-30-2025/
September 25, 2025 at 8:31 AM
I will be delivering a "Mastering DAX" Workshop in Lugano, Switzerland, from October 28-30, 2025.
This workshop is also near Northern Italy, France, and Southern Germany.
The workshop is in English.
For more details, visit: https://www.sqlbi.com/p/mastering-dax-workshop-lugano-oct-28-30-2025/
This workshop is also near Northern Italy, France, and Southern Germany.
The workshop is in English.
For more details, visit: https://www.sqlbi.com/p/mastering-dax-workshop-lugano-oct-28-30-2025/
We finally have 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗨𝗗𝗙) in DAX!
Don't make mistakes; this is not a user data function in Fabric.
This is a new DAX feature, the most important one in the last five years.
Read/watch more:
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Don't make mistakes; this is not a user data function in Fabric.
This is a new DAX feature, the most important one in the last five years.
Read/watch more:
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
September 16, 2025 at 9:11 AM
We finally have 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿-𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝗨𝗗𝗙) in DAX!
Don't make mistakes; this is not a user data function in Fabric.
This is a new DAX feature, the most important one in the last five years.
Read/watch more:
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Don't make mistakes; this is not a user data function in Fabric.
This is a new DAX feature, the most important one in the last five years.
Read/watch more:
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-user-defined-functions-in-dax/
Read our first article and watch the video about the new calendar-based time intelligence feature in DAX and Power BI.
Helpful for Gregorian, necessary for non-Gregorian calendars.
#powerbi #dax #timeintelligence
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-calendar-based-time-intelligence-in-dax/
Helpful for Gregorian, necessary for non-Gregorian calendars.
#powerbi #dax #timeintelligence
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-calendar-based-time-intelligence-in-dax/
September 16, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Read our first article and watch the video about the new calendar-based time intelligence feature in DAX and Power BI.
Helpful for Gregorian, necessary for non-Gregorian calendars.
#powerbi #dax #timeintelligence
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-calendar-based-time-intelligence-in-dax/
Helpful for Gregorian, necessary for non-Gregorian calendars.
#powerbi #dax #timeintelligence
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-calendar-based-time-intelligence-in-dax/
Introducing AI and Agentic Development for Power BI: an article that explores concepts and scenarios for integrating AI and AI agents into BI development, with specific examples for Power BI.
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-ai-and-agentic-development-for-business-intelligence/
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-ai-and-agentic-development-for-business-intelligence/
September 9, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Introducing AI and Agentic Development for Power BI: an article that explores concepts and scenarios for integrating AI and AI agents into BI development, with specific examples for Power BI.
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-ai-and-agentic-development-for-business-intelligence/
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/introducing-ai-and-agentic-development-for-business-intelligence/
Yes, you can use SUMMARIZECOLUMNS in a DAX measure, BUT...
But only if you follow the best practices in this article + video.
Spoiler: Goodbye ADDCOLUMNS / SUMMARIZE - well, with some exceptions...
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/summarizecolumns-best-practices/
But only if you follow the best practices in this article + video.
Spoiler: Goodbye ADDCOLUMNS / SUMMARIZE - well, with some exceptions...
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/summarizecolumns-best-practices/
August 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Yes, you can use SUMMARIZECOLUMNS in a DAX measure, BUT...
But only if you follow the best practices in this article + video.
Spoiler: Goodbye ADDCOLUMNS / SUMMARIZE - well, with some exceptions...
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/summarizecolumns-best-practices/
But only if you follow the best practices in this article + video.
Spoiler: Goodbye ADDCOLUMNS / SUMMARIZE - well, with some exceptions...
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/summarizecolumns-best-practices/
This article and video discuss the current state of AI tools with Power BI and how to utilize the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to interact with and control Power BI or Fabric using an LLM.
#powerbi #semanticmodel #mcp #llm
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/ai-in-power-bi-time-to-pay-attention/
#powerbi #semanticmodel #mcp #llm
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/ai-in-power-bi-time-to-pay-attention/
July 29, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article and video discuss the current state of AI tools with Power BI and how to utilize the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to interact with and control Power BI or Fabric using an LLM.
#powerbi #semanticmodel #mcp #llm
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/ai-in-power-bi-time-to-pay-attention/
#powerbi #semanticmodel #mcp #llm
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/ai-in-power-bi-time-to-pay-attention/
Newsletter #300 is a significant milestone for SQLBI.
I thought this was a good time to clarify SQLBI’s position on a topic we haven't discussed much yet: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/07/28/a-few-thoughts-about-newsletter-300-and-ai/
#newsletter #sqlbi #ai
I thought this was a good time to clarify SQLBI’s position on a topic we haven't discussed much yet: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/07/28/a-few-thoughts-about-newsletter-300-and-ai/
#newsletter #sqlbi #ai
July 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Newsletter #300 is a significant milestone for SQLBI.
I thought this was a good time to clarify SQLBI’s position on a topic we haven't discussed much yet: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/07/28/a-few-thoughts-about-newsletter-300-and-ai/
#newsletter #sqlbi #ai
I thought this was a good time to clarify SQLBI’s position on a topic we haven't discussed much yet: Artificial Intelligence (AI).
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/07/28/a-few-thoughts-about-newsletter-300-and-ai/
#newsletter #sqlbi #ai
This article (with video) outlines best practices for utilizing ALLSELECTED in your DAX measures to prevent unpredictable results!
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/allselected-best-practices/
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/allselected-best-practices/
July 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article (with video) outlines best practices for utilizing ALLSELECTED in your DAX measures to prevent unpredictable results!
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/allselected-best-practices/
#dax #powerbi
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/allselected-best-practices/
When should you use DISTINCT over VALUES in DAX?
Here is how to write resilient measures that survive bad data and model changes.
Article+video on SQLBI.
#dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/choosing-between-distinct-and-values-in-dax/
Here is how to write resilient measures that survive bad data and model changes.
Article+video on SQLBI.
#dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/choosing-between-distinct-and-values-in-dax/
July 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
When should you use DISTINCT over VALUES in DAX?
Here is how to write resilient measures that survive bad data and model changes.
Article+video on SQLBI.
#dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/choosing-between-distinct-and-values-in-dax/
Here is how to write resilient measures that survive bad data and model changes.
Article+video on SQLBI.
#dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/choosing-between-distinct-and-values-in-dax/
Learn the details about how the IF function in DAX is actually executed, analyzing also the performance in several scenarios.
Article and video available!
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-how-dax-evaluates-if-statements/
Article and video available!
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-how-dax-evaluates-if-statements/
June 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Learn the details about how the IF function in DAX is actually executed, analyzing also the performance in several scenarios.
Article and video available!
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-how-dax-evaluates-if-statements/
Article and video available!
#powerbi #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-how-dax-evaluates-if-statements/
New version of DAX Studio (3.3.0) has nice new features!
"Run a query on a PBIX file that is not open," and now DSCMD (command-line version) opens it for you!
There are 41 other items in the release note.
Immediate upgrade!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_3_0-release/
#powerbi #dax #daxstudio
"Run a query on a PBIX file that is not open," and now DSCMD (command-line version) opens it for you!
There are 41 other items in the release note.
Immediate upgrade!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_3_0-release/
#powerbi #dax #daxstudio
June 13, 2025 at 7:02 AM
New version of DAX Studio (3.3.0) has nice new features!
"Run a query on a PBIX file that is not open," and now DSCMD (command-line version) opens it for you!
There are 41 other items in the release note.
Immediate upgrade!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_3_0-release/
#powerbi #dax #daxstudio
"Run a query on a PBIX file that is not open," and now DSCMD (command-line version) opens it for you!
There are 41 other items in the release note.
Immediate upgrade!
https://daxstudio.org/blog/v3_3_0-release/
#powerbi #dax #daxstudio
This article + video describes how to control the execution of DAX code when there are either multiple or empty selections of calculation items in calculation groups.
#powerbi #dax #calculationgroups
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/controlling-empty-or-multiple-selections-in-calculation-groups/
#powerbi #dax #calculationgroups
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/controlling-empty-or-multiple-selections-in-calculation-groups/
June 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article + video describes how to control the execution of DAX code when there are either multiple or empty selections of calculation items in calculation groups.
#powerbi #dax #calculationgroups
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/controlling-empty-or-multiple-selections-in-calculation-groups/
#powerbi #dax #calculationgroups
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/controlling-empty-or-multiple-selections-in-calculation-groups/
This article + video explains the error "Can't determine relationship between the fields" when placing columns from unrelated tables in a Power BI matrix.
#powerbi #matrix #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-the-cant-determine-relationship-between-the-fields-error-in-power-bi/
#powerbi #matrix #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-the-cant-determine-relationship-between-the-fields-error-in-power-bi/
May 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article + video explains the error "Can't determine relationship between the fields" when placing columns from unrelated tables in a Power BI matrix.
#powerbi #matrix #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-the-cant-determine-relationship-between-the-fields-error-in-power-bi/
#powerbi #matrix #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-the-cant-determine-relationship-between-the-fields-error-in-power-bi/
The “Choosing Between Import Mode, Direct Lake, and Composite Models” session is available!
The new "Direct Lake + Import" composite model feature is in public preview.
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/05/13/direct-lake-vs-import-vs-direct-lakeimport-fabric-semantic-models-may-2025/
The new "Direct Lake + Import" composite model feature is in public preview.
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/05/13/direct-lake-vs-import-vs-direct-lakeimport-fabric-semantic-models-may-2025/
May 13, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The “Choosing Between Import Mode, Direct Lake, and Composite Models” session is available!
The new "Direct Lake + Import" composite model feature is in public preview.
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/05/13/direct-lake-vs-import-vs-direct-lakeimport-fabric-semantic-models-may-2025/
The new "Direct Lake + Import" composite model feature is in public preview.
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/05/13/direct-lake-vs-import-vs-direct-lakeimport-fabric-semantic-models-may-2025/
This article + video overviews some tools available to create semantic models and reports in Power BI.
Make your life easier!
#powerbi #tools #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/tools-in-power-bi/
Make your life easier!
#powerbi #tools #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/tools-in-power-bi/
May 6, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article + video overviews some tools available to create semantic models and reports in Power BI.
Make your life easier!
#powerbi #tools #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/tools-in-power-bi/
Make your life easier!
#powerbi #tools #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/tools-in-power-bi/
We released a new course for our SQLBI+ subscribers: Security in Tabular Semantic Models.
- 4.5+ hours of video
- PDF whitepaper
- Demo files
- Patterns for enterprise solutions
#sqlbiplus #powerbi #security #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/04/29/sqlbi-updates-in-april-2024/
- 4.5+ hours of video
- PDF whitepaper
- Demo files
- Patterns for enterprise solutions
#sqlbiplus #powerbi #security #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/04/29/sqlbi-updates-in-april-2024/
April 29, 2025 at 10:06 AM
We released a new course for our SQLBI+ subscribers: Security in Tabular Semantic Models.
- 4.5+ hours of video
- PDF whitepaper
- Demo files
- Patterns for enterprise solutions
#sqlbiplus #powerbi #security #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/04/29/sqlbi-updates-in-april-2024/
- 4.5+ hours of video
- PDF whitepaper
- Demo files
- Patterns for enterprise solutions
#sqlbiplus #powerbi #security #dax
https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2025/04/29/sqlbi-updates-in-april-2024/
We have just released DAX Optimizer 1.4!
The tool now analyzes DAX expressions in:
- Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Calculation groups
These features are also integrated in the new release of Tabular Editor 3.
Read more:
https://www.tabulartools.com/blog/whats-new-in-dax-optimizer-1-4/
#dax #powerbi
The tool now analyzes DAX expressions in:
- Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Calculation groups
These features are also integrated in the new release of Tabular Editor 3.
Read more:
https://www.tabulartools.com/blog/whats-new-in-dax-optimizer-1-4/
#dax #powerbi
April 25, 2025 at 7:15 AM
We have just released DAX Optimizer 1.4!
The tool now analyzes DAX expressions in:
- Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Calculation groups
These features are also integrated in the new release of Tabular Editor 3.
Read more:
https://www.tabulartools.com/blog/whats-new-in-dax-optimizer-1-4/
#dax #powerbi
The tool now analyzes DAX expressions in:
- Row-Level Security (RLS)
- Calculation groups
These features are also integrated in the new release of Tabular Editor 3.
Read more:
https://www.tabulartools.com/blog/whats-new-in-dax-optimizer-1-4/
#dax #powerbi
This article + video describes how to implement a dynamic Pareto calculation in Power BI based on a measure that can be selected from a slicer and dynamically filtered by other slicers in the report.
#powerbi #dax #dataviz
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/dynamic-pareto-analysis-in-power-bi/
#powerbi #dax #dataviz
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/dynamic-pareto-analysis-in-power-bi/
April 22, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This article + video describes how to implement a dynamic Pareto calculation in Power BI based on a measure that can be selected from a slicer and dynamically filtered by other slicers in the report.
#powerbi #dax #dataviz
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/dynamic-pareto-analysis-in-power-bi/
#powerbi #dax #dataviz
https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/dynamic-pareto-analysis-in-power-bi/