Forum Discussion

dim123dim123's avatar
dim123dim123
Helper I
3 years ago

DIVIDE error ?

HI  who can explain me  DIVIDE(blank(),0,5) - return BLANK DIVIDE(0,blank(),5) - return 5   if (ISERROR( blank()/0),1,2) - Return 2 NOT ERROR if (ISERROR( 0/blank()),1,2) - Return 1 ERROR   ...
Wilson_'s avatar
Wilson_
Memorable Member
3 years ago

BLANK() and 0 are not quite the same thing. They are functionally the same in a lot of cases, but not always. However, it sounds like you want the DIVIDE function to treat BLANK() like a 0. In that case, wrap whatever is returning you a BLANK() in a COALESCE function:

COALESCE ( [measure returning blank], 0 )

 


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dim123dim123's avatar
dim123dim123
Helper I
3 years ago

but dividing by 0 should give an error always ? But no,

divide(blank()/0,1)  and  return Blank 

divide(blank(),blank(),1) Return blank

and 

divide(1,blank(),1) return 1 

This is not mathematically and logicaly right 

  • Wilson_'s avatar
    Wilson_
    Memorable Member
    3 years ago

    You can either work within the constraints of how Power BI actually works or just insist that it doesn't work the way your intuition says it should work. I don't know what to tell you. How division works with blanks overrides how division works with zeroes.

     

    You do not have the ability to actually change how Power BI works to fit your intuitions better. (After all, you cannot actually have blanks in mathematics in the first place, right?)

    • dim123dim123's avatar
      dim123dim123
      Helper I
      3 years ago

      There's no point in arguing.
      If it is necessary to get a value other than BLANK as a result of division -
      function is not suitable.


      If a formula or procedure works incorrectly, it is usually fixed by the developers.

      The recommendations to always use DIVIDE instead of IF is not 100% correct

      So the performance is lost 😞 unfortunately

       

      In addition, if divide(blank()/0,1) and divide(0/blank(),1) had given the same result, I would even agree with you, but unfortunately the results are different . Right ? 

       

      • Wilson_'s avatar
        Wilson_
        Memorable Member
        3 years ago

        I disagree with you that it works incorrectly, but I agree with you that "arguing" would be a waste of time so have a great day! 😄