Bill Pearson


Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI - Level 6: The DAX SUM() and SUMX() Functions

Business Intelligence architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson exposes the DAX SUM() and SUMX() functions, comparing and contrasting the two. He then provides some hands-on exposure to the use of each, particularly in combination with other DAX functions, in managing “sum” aggregations within our PowerPivot model designs.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

7,538 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI - Level 7: Function / Iterator Function Pairs: The DAX AVERAGE() and AVERAGEX() Functions

Business Intelligence architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson explores the DAX AVERAGE() and AVERAGEX() functions, comparing and contrasting the two. He then provides some hands-on exposure to the use of each, particularly in combination with other DAX functions, in generating arithmetic means within our PowerPivot model designs.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

4,638 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI - Level 8: The DAX COUNT() and COUNTX() Functions

As a part of his “Function / Iterator Pairs” mini-series, Business Intelligence architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson introduces the DAX COUNT() and COUNTX() functions, discussing similarities and differences. He then provides some hands-on exposure to the use of each, particularly in combination with other DAX functions, in generating counts to meet differing needs within our PowerPivot model designs.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

5,687 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI - Level 9: Function / Iterator Function Pairs: The DAX MAX() and MAXX() Functions

As a part of his "Function / Iterator Pairs" mini-series, Business Intelligence architect, Analysis Services Maestro, SQL Server MVP, and author Bill Pearson introduces the DAX MAX() and MAXX() functions, discussing similarities and differences. He then provides some hands-on exposure to the use of each, particularly in combination with other DAX functions, in generating "largest numeric values" to meet differing needs within our PowerPivot model designs.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

7,142 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI Level 19: Dates Functions: STARTOFMONTH(), STARTOFQUARTER(), STARTOFYEAR()

Business Intelligence Architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson introduces three DAX Time Intelligence functions related to the Start of Periods: STARTOFMONTH(), STARTOFQUARTER(), and STARTOFYEAR(). He discusses the syntax, uses and operation of each, and then provides hands-on exposure to the function in Power BI.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

1,197 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI Level 25: Time Intelligence – Dates Functions: The DAX CLOSINGBALANCE*() Functions

Business Intelligence Architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson introduces three similar DAX Time Intelligence functions related to Date: CLOSINGBALANCEMONTH(), CLOSINGBALANCEQUARTER(), and CLOSINGBALANCEYEAR(). He discusses the syntax, uses and operation of each function, and then provides hands-on exposure to it in Power BI.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

877 reads

Stairway to DAX and Power BI

Stairway to DAX and Power BI Level 26: Time Intelligence – Dates Functions: The DAX “Total to Date” Functions

Business Intelligence Architect, Analysis Services Maestro, and author Bill Pearson introduces three similar DAX Time Intelligence functions related to Date: TOTALMTD(), TOTALQTD(), and TOTALMYD(). He discusses the syntax, uses and operation of each function, and then provides hands-on exposure to it in Power BI.

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2026-04-15 (first published: )

960 reads

Technical Article

Level 28: DAX Text Functions: The DAX Extract & Modify Functions: LEFT(), RIGHT(), MID(), REPLACE(), SUBSTITUTE()

Business Intelligence Architect, Data Analyst, CPA, and author Bill Pearson introduces a subseries surrounding the DAX Text Functions, including LEFT(), RIGHT(), MID(), REPLACE(), and SUBSTITUTE() and breaks out the operational groups of functions involved. Next, he introduces the “Extract and Modify” group of text functions as the focus of this Level. Finally, he identifies and examines each functional member of the “Extract and Modify

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2026-02-04

1,572 reads

Stairway to MDX

Stairway to MDX - Level 13: MDX Time/Date Series Functions: LastPeriods() and ParallelPeriod() Functions

BI Architect Bill Pearson continues with the third of a subseries surrounding a group of MDX functions we can use to support analysis and reporting in a time / date context. In this Level, we will explore the LastPeriods() and ParallelPeriod() functions, and get hands-on practice with each in meeting sample business requirements.

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2022-07-27 (first published: )

6,518 reads

Stairway to MDX

Stairway to MDX - Level 1: Getting Started with MDX

To learn MDX, there is really no alternative to installing the system and trying out the statements, and experimenting. William Pearson, the well-known expert on MDX, kicks off a stairway series on this important topic by getting you running from a standing start.

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2019-03-26 (first published: )

76,813 reads

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