M or DAX? That is the Question!

What is the main difference between M and DAX? Why we can do a calculated column in two different places? What are pros and cons of each? Which one should I use for creating a profit column? Why I cannot do all of it in only one; DAX or M! Why two different languages?! Why Read more about M or DAX? That is the Question![…]

Do You Need a Date Dimension?

I’ve hear this question many times; “Do you think we need a date dimension?”.  some years ago, date dimension has been used more, but nowadays less! The main reason is that there are some tools that are using their own built-in date hierarchy. As an example Power BI has a built-in date hierarchy that is Read more about Do You Need a Date Dimension?[…]

Flawless Date Conversion in Power Query

Date Conversion is one of the simplest conversions in Power Query, however depends on locale on the system that you are working with Date Conversion might return different result. In this post I’ll show you an example of issue with date conversion and how to resolve it with Locale. In this post you’ll learn that Read more about Flawless Date Conversion in Power Query[…]

Append vs. Merge in Power BI and Power Query

Combining two queries in Power Query or in Power BI is one of the most basic and also essential tasks that you would need to do in most of data preparation scenarios. There are two types of combining queries; Merge, and Append. Database developers easily understand the difference, but the majority of Power BI users Read more about Append vs. Merge in Power BI and Power Query[…]

Data Preparation; First and Foremost Important Task in Power BI

I’ve talked about Data Preparation many times in conferences such as PASS Summit, BA Conference, and many other conferences. Every time I talk about this I realize how much more I need to explain this. Data Preparation tips are basic, but very important. In my opinion as someone who worked with BI systems more than Read more about Data Preparation; First and Foremost Important Task in Power BI[…]

Warning! Misleading Power Query Filtering

Filtering in Power Query component of Power BI is easy, however it can be misleading very easily as well. I have seen the usage of this filtering inappropriately in many cases. Many people simply believe in what they see, rather than seeing behind the scenes. Power Query filtering is totally different when you do basic Read more about Warning! Misleading Power Query Filtering[…]

Not Folding; the Black Hole of Power Query Performance

Have you ever thought does your Power Query Transformations happens in the data source side (server side), or on the local memory (client side)? When you use a relational data source, query can be run on the data source, but it depends on transformations. Some transformations can be translated to query language of the data Read more about Not Folding; the Black Hole of Power Query Performance[…]

Performance Tip for Power BI; Enable Load Sucks Memory Up

In the area of performance tuning a Power BI model many things has to be considered, most of them around consumption of the CPU and RAM. One of the most basic but important consideration is minimizing the usage of memory. By default all queries from Query Editor will be loaded into the memory of Power Read more about Performance Tip for Power BI; Enable Load Sucks Memory Up[…]

Slides of my sessions at PASS Summit 2016

Thanks to everyone who attended at my sessions in PASS Summit 2016 this year. I have uploaded session slides here in this post with links to references inside it. Please contact me if you have any questions. It was my pleasure to speak this year for the 4th time in this conference which I believe Read more about Slides of my sessions at PASS Summit 2016[…]