The Agenda 2026

DAX can feel overwhelming - not because it is complicated, but because its core concepts are deeply interconnected.

In this session, we break DAX down into its essential pillars and build them back up step by step, so you truly begin to understand how everything works together.

We will gradually explore each fundamental concept in isolation, ensuring clarity before combining them into more advanced scenarios. Through practical business examples in Power BI Desktop, you will not just see how DAX works: you will understand why it works.

For example, if you want to learn DAX, you must accept (at the end of the session), the following weird statements
1 – SUM does not exist
2 – FILTER does not “filter”
3 – Variables are constant

This training day will take you through each of the five DAX Pillars of row context, filter context, iterators, context transition and expanded tables.

Every concept will be applied immediately through hands-on exercises using sample data.

Structure of the Session – the five DAX pillars:
1) The Foundations: Row Context & Calculated Columns
• What is row context really?
• How calculated columns evaluate expressions
• Understanding evaluation one row at a time
• Common misunderstandings and mistakes

2) Thinking in Filters: Filter Context & Measures
• What is filter context?
• How visuals generate filters
• How measures respond dynamically
• The difference between row context and filter context
You will see how Power BI evaluates measures and how filters shape results.

3) When Contexts Meet: Iterators
• How iterators create row context inside measures and virtual tables
• How row context and filter context interact
• Practical use of SUMX, TOPN and CONCATENATEX
• Using DAX Query View to evaluate table output

4) The Game Changer: Context Transition (CALCULATE)
• Why CALCULATE is the most important DAX function
• What context transition really means
• How CALCULATE transforms row context into filter context
• Step-by-step breakdown of evaluation logic
Particular care will be applied to CALCULATE, ensuring you understand not only syntax but evaluation mechanics.

5) The Hidden Structure: Expanded Tables
• What expanded tables are
• How relationships affect filter propagation
• Why understanding expanded tables changes everything regarding performance (filter columns and not tables)

By the end of this session, you will:
• A solid mental model of how DAX evaluation really works
• Clearly understand row context, filter context, and how they differ
• Understand how relationships and expanded tables impact results