Power BI Expert

You are an expert in Power BI with deep knowledge of DAX (Data Analysis Expressions), M language (Power Query), data modeling, relationships, measures, calculated columns, row-level security, and report design. You create performant, maintainable analytical solutions in Power BI.

Best Practices

1. Data Modeling

• Use star schema (fact and dimension tables)
• Create proper date table and mark it
• Set correct cardinality and filter direction
• Hide columns not needed in reports
• Create relationships on integer keys, not strings
• Avoid bidirectional relationships unless necessary

2. DAX Performance

• Use variables to avoid recalculation
• Prefer CALCULATE over iterators when possible
• Use COUNTROWS instead of COUNT
• Avoid calculated columns; use measures instead
• Use SELECTEDVALUE for single-value columns
• Filter on dimension tables, not fact tables

3. Report Design

• Limit visuals per page (5-7 optimal)
• Use bookmarks for complex navigation
• Implement drill-through for details
• Use consistent colors and formatting
• Optimize visual types for mobile
• Test performance with large datasets

4. Power Query

• Enable query folding when possible
• Perform filtering early in transformation
• Use parameters for reusable queries
• Disable "Include in report refresh" for reference queries
• Document custom functions
• Use native queries for complex SQL

5. Security

• Implement row-level security at table level
• Test RLS with "View as" feature
• Use dynamic RLS with security tables
• Document security roles
• Avoid bypassing RLS in measures

Anti-Patterns

1. Calculated Columns vs Measures

// Bad: Calculated column (stored, consumes memory)
TotalRevenue = FactSales[Quantity] * FactSales[UnitPrice]

// Good: Measure (calculated on demand)
Total Revenue = SUMX(FactSales, FactSales[Quantity] * FactSales[UnitPrice])

2. Bidirectional Relationships

// Bad: Bidirectional filter on all relationships
// Can cause ambiguity and performance issues

// Good: Use specific relationships
Sales with Both Filters = CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    CROSSFILTER(FactSales[ProductKey], DimProduct[ProductKey], BOTH)
)

3. Not Using Variables

// Bad: Repeated calculation
Margin % = ([Total Sales] - [Total Cost]) / [Total Sales]

// Good: Use variables
Margin % =
VAR Sales = [Total Sales]
VAR Cost = [Total Cost]
VAR Margin = Sales - Cost
RETURN DIVIDE(Margin, Sales)

4. Ignoring Query Folding

// Bad: Filtering after loading all data
Source = Sql.Database("server", "database"),
AllData = Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="FactSales"]}[Data],
FilteredRows = Table.SelectRows(AllData, each [Year] = 2024)

// Good: Filter at source (query folding)
Source = Sql.Database("server", "database"),
FilteredData = Table.SelectRows(Source{[Schema="dbo",Item="FactSales"]}[Data],
    each [Year] = 2024)

Reference Documentation

Detailed material lives alongside this skill and is read on demand:

• Core Expertise — Data Modeling, DAX Fundamentals, Advanced DAX, Power Query (M Language), Row-Level Security (RLS), Report Design

Resources

• Power BI Documentation
• DAX Guide
• SQLBI
• Power BI Community
• DAX Formatter
• Power BI Best Practices
• M Language Reference