topic Re: how to combined first name and last name in DAX in semantic model in DAX Commands and Tips

how to combined first name and last name in DAX in semantic model

krishna_murthy — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:32:35 GMT

Hi Team,

Just checking how we can achieve on how to combined first name and last name in DAX and we have connected in semantic model

Re: how to combined first name and last name in DAX in semantic model

rohit1991 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:45:12 GMT

Hi krishna_murthy

If you can edit the semantic model (best for slicers/labels): add a calculated column.

Full Name = VAR s = TRIM( COALESCE('Customers'[FirstName], "") & " " & COALESCE('Customers'[LastName], "") ) RETURN IF( s = "", BLANK(), s )

If you’re on a thin report (live connection) and can’t add columns: you can only add a measure (works in cards/tables, not slicers/axes).

Full Name (measure) = VAR f = SELECTEDVALUE('Customers'[FirstName]) VAR l = SELECTEDVALUE('Customers'[LastName]) VAR s = TRIM( COALESCE(f, "") & " " & COALESCE(l, "") ) RETURN IF( s = "", BLANK(), s )

Re: how to combined first name and last name in DAX in semantic model

jaineshp — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 08:37:12 GMT

Hey krishna_murthy,

Quick Solution for Combining Names - DAX & Power Query

Hey there! Here are both approaches I use for combining first and last names:

DAX Solution (In Semantic Model)

Step 1: Add Calculated Column Go to your table in the semantic model and create a new calculated column:

Full Name = [FirstName] & " " & [LastName]

Step 2: Handle Blank Values (Recommended) If you have missing data, use this instead:

Full Name =
IF(
ISBLANK([FirstName]) || ISBLANK([LastName]),
COALESCE([FirstName], "") & COALESCE([LastName], ""),
[FirstName] & " " & [LastName]
)

Implementation:

Right-click your table → New Column
Paste the formula and hit Enter
Rename if needed

Power Query Solution (Data Transformation)

Method 1: Using Merge Columns

Select both FirstName and LastName columns
Go to Transform tab → Merge Columns
Choose "Space" as separator
Name the new column "Full Name"

Method 2: Custom Column Approach Add a custom column with this M formula:

= [FirstName] & " " & [LastName]

Method 3: Handle Nulls in Power Query For better null handling:

= Text.Combine({[FirstName], [LastName]}, " ")

The Power Query approach is usually my go-to since it keeps the model cleaner and processes faster during refresh!

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Best Regards,
Jainesh Poojara | Power BI Developer