Write DAX measures against a real table and have them evaluated. A simulation, not Power BI, but the same thinking.
Twelve rows, six columns. In DAX you refer to a column as Sales[Value], with the table name first and the column in square brackets.
| Date | Region | Product | Units | Value | Refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | North | Pro plan | 2 | 480 | 0 |
| 2026-03-03 | South | Starter | 1 | 60 | 0 |
| 2026-03-05 | North | Add-on | 3 | 135 | 45 |
| 2026-03-08 | East | Pro plan | 1 | 240 | 0 |
| 2026-03-11 | South | Pro plan | 2 | 480 | 240 |
| 2026-03-14 | North | Starter | 1 | 60 | 0 |
| 2026-03-18 | West | Add-on | 4 | 180 | 0 |
| 2026-03-21 | East | Pro plan | 2 | 480 | 0 |
| 2026-03-24 | South | Add-on | 1 | 45 | 45 |
| 2026-03-27 | West | Pro plan | 1 | 240 | 0 |
| 2026-03-29 | North | Pro plan | 2 | 480 | 0 |
| 2026-03-30 | East | Starter | 1 | 60 | 60 |
This is a simulation, clearly labelled. It runs a teaching subset of DAX in your browser: SUM, COUNTROWS, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, DIVIDE, CALCULATE and FILTER, plus arithmetic. It is not Power BI, but the thinking transfers directly.
Each exercise teaches the function first. Unlimited attempts, a hint whenever you want one, and the worked answer after three tries.
Exercise 1 of 6
First, the function: SUM
A measure is a calculation that runs over whatever the report is filtered to. SUM adds one column of a table, written as Table[Column].
The pattern
Total Revenue = SUM(Sales[Value])
Your task
Write a measure that totals the Value column.
Hint
SUM takes one column, written Sales[Value].
What this tells you: A measure has no fixed answer. It recalculates for every row, filter and slicer on the page.
Exercise 2 of 6
First, the function: COUNTROWS
COUNTROWS counts rows rather than values, which is what you want when you are counting orders rather than adding money.
The pattern
Orders = COUNTROWS(Sales)
Your task
Write a measure that counts how many orders there are.
Hint
COUNTROWS takes the table itself, not a column.
What this tells you: Counting rows and summing a column answer different questions. Name the measure so nobody confuses them.
Exercise 3 of 6
First, the function: DIVIDE
DIVIDE is the safe division. If the bottom is zero it returns blank rather than an error, which keeps a dashboard from breaking on a quiet day.
The pattern
Avg Order Value = DIVIDE(SUM(Sales[Value]), COUNTROWS(Sales))
Your task
Write a measure for average order value: total value divided by the number of orders.
Hint
Put SUM on top and COUNTROWS underneath, inside DIVIDE.
What this tells you: Never use a slash for division in a measure. DIVIDE handles the zero case for you.
Exercise 4 of 6
First, the function: CALCULATE
CALCULATE is the one that matters. It runs a calculation with the filters you give it, replacing whatever the report had for that column.
The pattern
North Revenue = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Value]), Sales[Region]="North")
Your task
Write a measure for revenue in the North region only.
Hint
CALCULATE takes the calculation first, then the filter: Sales[Region]="North".
What this tells you: CALCULATE replaces the filter on that column. It does not add to it, which surprises people the first time.
Exercise 5 of 6
First, the function: FILTER
FILTER returns a table of rows that pass a test, and is used inside CALCULATE when the condition is more than a simple equals.
The pattern
Big Orders = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Value]), FILTER(Sales, Sales[Value] > 200))
Your task
Write a measure that totals only the orders worth more than 200.
Hint
FILTER takes the table, then the test. Wrap it in CALCULATE.
What this tells you: Use a simple filter where you can, and FILTER only when the test needs a comparison.
Exercise 6 of 6
First, the function: Combining measures
Measures are built from other measures. Writing one big expression is harder to read and harder to fix than two small ones.
The pattern
Net Revenue = SUM(Sales[Value]) - SUM(Sales[Refund])
Your task
Write a measure for net revenue: total value less total refunds.
Hint
Two SUMs with a minus between them.
What this tells you: Net revenue is £2,550 against £2,940 gross. Refunds are 13% of the month, which the gross figure hides completely.
Every skill path on Insyt is built around practice like this.