TODAY

How to Use the Power BI DAX function TODAY

What is the DAX Function?

DAX stands for Data Analysis Expressions. It is a formula language used in Power BI to create custom calculations and aggregations for data analysis. DAX formulas are similar in syntax to Excel formulas and can be used to create complex calculations and aggregations for business intelligence reports.

What is the TODAY Function?

The TODAY function is a DAX function that returns the current date in the format of a date-time value. The TODAY function does not require any arguments and always returns the current date based on the computer’s system clock.

How to Use the TODAY Function in Power BI

To use the TODAY function in Power BI, follow these simple steps:

1. Open your Power BI report or create a new one.

2. Click on the “New measure” button in the “Fields” pane.

3. In the formula bar, type the following formula:

`TODAY()`

4. Press “Enter” to create the new measure.

5. Assign a name to the new measure, such as “Today’s Date”.

That’s it! You’ve created a new measure that returns the current date.

Using the TODAY Function in Calculations

Now that you know how to create a new measure using the TODAY function, let’s explore how you can use this function in calculations.

Example 1: Calculate the Total Sales for Today

Suppose you have a table called “Sales” that contains a column called “Date” and a column called “Sales Amount”. You can use the TODAY function to calculate the total sales for today as follows:

1. Create a new measure called “Total Sales Today” using the TODAY function.

2. Create a new measure called “Sales Today” using the following formula:

`CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Sales Amount]), Sales[Date] = [Today’s Date])`

3. The “Sales Today” measure will return the total sales amount for today based on the “Sales Amount” column and the “Date” column from the “Sales” table.

Example 2: Calculate the Percentage of Sales for Today

Suppose you have a table called “Sales” that contains a column called “Date” and a column called “Sales Amount”. You can use the TODAY function to calculate the percentage of sales for today as follows:

1. Create a new measure called “Total Sales” using the following formula:

`SUM(Sales[Sales Amount])`

2. Create a new measure called “Sales Today” using the following formula:

`CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Sales Amount]), Sales[Date] = [Today’s Date])`

3. Create a new measure called “Percentage of Sales Today” using the following formula:

`DIVIDE([Sales Today], [Total Sales])`

4. The “Percentage of Sales Today” measure will return the percentage of sales for today based on the “Sales Amount” column and the “Date” column from the “Sales” table.

Using the DAX function TODAY is a powerful way to analyze your data in Power BI. By creating custom calculations and aggregations, you can gain insights into your data that would otherwise be difficult to discern. With the TODAY function, you can easily calculate the current date and use it in your calculations. So, if you’re looking to get the most out of your data analysis, be sure to use the DAX function TODAY!

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