topic DATATABLE code help in DAX Commands and Tips

DATATABLE code help

MarkPalmberg — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 14:09:50 GMT

Hi.

I'm just getting started with DATATABLE and am wondering about the following scenario:

Column A has 4 rows

Column B has 10 rows, multiple values for columns 3 (5) and 4 (3).

Is this doable with DATATABLE? Do I need Table Constructor instead? Here's what I have so far; I need multiple Gift Levels for my "Big" row...:

Gift Table = 
DATATABLE (
    "Gift Level Name", STRING,
    "Gift Level", STRING,
    "Gifts Needed", INTEGER,
    "Prospects Needed", INTEGER,
    "Dollars Needed", CURRENCY,
    "Cumulative Total", CURRENCY,
    {
        { "Biggest", "#####", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Bigger", "#####", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Big", "#####", #####, #####, #####, #####}
    }
)

Thank you!

Re: DATATABLE code help

Nathaniel_C — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 00:21:06 GMT

MarkPalmberg ,

Not sure I understand what you are asking.

Here is what I get. Seems pretty cool.

Term	Definition
ColumnName	Any DAX expression that returns a table.
DataType	An enumeration that includes: INTEGER, DOUBLE, STRING, BOOLEAN, CURRENCY, DATETIME
Value	A single argument using Excel syntax for a one dimensional array constant, nested to provide an array of arrays. This argument represents the set of data values that will be in the table

For example,
{ {values in row1}, {values in row2}, {values in row3}, etc. }
Where {values in row1} is a comma delimited set of constant expressions, namely a combination of constants, combined with a handful of basic functions including DATE, TIME, and BLANK, as well as a plus operator between DATE and TIME and a unary minus operator so that negative values can be expressed.

The following are all valid values: 3, -5, BLANK(), "2009-04-15 02:45:21". Values may not refer to anything outside the immediate expression, and cannot refer to columns, tables, relationships, or anything else.

A missing value will be treated identically to BLANK(). For example, the following are the same: {1,2,BLANK(),4} {1,2,,4}

If this solves your issues, please mark it as the solution, so that others can find it easily. Kudos are nice too.
Nathaniel

Re: DATATABLE code help

Nathaniel_C — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 00:28:08 GMT

Unlike DATATABLE, Table Constructor allows any scalar expressions as input values. Seems like you have to enumerate the type in DATATABLE.

If this solves your issues, please mark it as the solution, so that others can find it easily. Kudos are nice too.
Nathaniel

Re: DATATABLE code help

MarkPalmberg — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:28:47 GMT

Sorry I wasn't very clear, Nathaniel_C ! I need a table with multiple "Gift Level" values for my "Bigger" value in the "Level Name" column.

Thanks for taking a look at this; I appreciate your time.

Re: DATATABLE code help

Nathaniel_C — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:32:24 GMT

Hi MarkPalmberg ,

I guess I still don't understand. Could you dummy up a picture of your expected outlook?

Thanks,

Nathaniel

Re: DATATABLE code help

MarkPalmberg — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 20:14:36 GMT

Reading your last reply turned on a lightbulb for me, Nathaniel_C . *My* issue was that I was trying to shoehorn an Excel format into a Power BI table; see below. The answer simply seems to be (duh) to create multiple instances of my Bigger row:

Gift Table = 
DATATABLE (
    "Gift Level Name", STRING,
    "Gift Level", STRING,
    "Gifts Needed", INTEGER,
    "Prospects Needed", INTEGER,
    "Dollars Needed", CURRENCY,
    "Cumulative Total", CURRENCY,
    {
        { "Biggest", "#####1", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Bigger", "#####1", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Bigger", "#####2", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Bigger", "#####3", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Big", "#####1", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Big", "#####2", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Big", "#####3", #####, #####, #####, #####}

    }
)

Re: DATATABLE code help

Nathaniel_C — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 21:01:42 GMT

Wow! Does it work? Usually I might just have the first column on multiple rows.

Nathaniel

Re: DATATABLE code help

MarkPalmberg — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 21:34:26 GMT

Yes, "first column in multiple rows" is how it's going to have to work in Power BI, I think, Which is probably fine, maybe in a Matrix visualization? Now the trick will be if I can populate my numeric values with VARs when I create the table. I was thinking I read somewhere that I can. Like:

Gift Table = 
VAR BIGGER1 =
CALCULATE(
    SUM(SOMECOLUMN),
    SOMEFILTER)
RETURN
DATATABLE (
    "Gift Level Name", STRING,
    "Gift Level", STRING,
    "Gifts Needed", INTEGER,
    "Prospects Needed", INTEGER,
    "Dollars Needed", CURRENCY,
    "Cumulative Total", CURRENCY,
    {
        { "Biggest", "#####1", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Bigger", BIGGER1, #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Bigger", "#####2", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Bigger", "#####3", #####, #####, #####, ##### },
        { "Big", "#####1", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Big", "#####2", #####, #####, #####, #####},
        { "Big", "#####3", #####, #####, #####, #####}

    }
)

Thanks for your replies, Nathaniel_C !