Forum Discussion
DAX Studio space after function name
If you already have it unchecked and reformatting (via the toolbar lightning bolt icon, Ctrl+K Ctrl+D, or right-click → Format DAX) still produces no space after the function names, here are the most common reasons this happens and how to fix it:
- The change wasn't applied / needs a restart After toggling the checkbox → click OK or Apply → close and reopen DAX Studio completely. Then paste your code fresh and format it again. Some users report the setting doesn't take effect until a full restart.
- You're using an outdated version of DAX Studio The option was added around early 2020 (following SQLBI's formatting rule update). If you're on a very old build (pre-3.x), it might not exist or behave inconsistently. → Go to Help → Check for Updates (or download the latest from https://daxstudio.org). As of 2026, grab the current release — it definitely supports this reliably.
- The code already has no spaces, or formatting is set to "Best Practice" style Some versions / integrations default to the modern SQLBI "no space after function" rule. Try this test:
- Paste exactly this (with spaces already there):
EVALUATE ADDCOLUMNS ( VALUES ( 'Customer'[Gender] ), "Test", CALCULATE ( [Sales Amount] ) )
- Format it. If it removes the spaces → the setting is being ignored or overridden. If it keeps them → good, the option is working; your original code might just need manual spaces added first before formatting.
- Paste exactly this (with spaces already there):
Hi stribor45,
Thank you for posting your query in the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
As per my understanding, the “Skip space after function name” setting primarily prevents the formatter from removing spaces if they already exist; it doesn't automatically insert them into code that lacks them. So if the original code has no space (like ADDCOLUMNS(), formatting won't add one even when the option is off but once you add it (manually or via Find/Replace), future formatting will preserve it.
For official details, check these references:
- DAX Studio Options docs: https://daxstudio.org/docs/features/options/options-window-standard (see the "Skip space after function name" row. default false means space included when unchecked).
- SQLBI's 2020 announcement explaining the change and toggle: https://www.sqlbi.com/blog/marco/2020/01/23/a-small-change-in-dax-formatter-and-in-dax-formatting-rules (covers why the rule shifted and how to enforce the spaced style).
- General DAX formatting rules: https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/rules-for-dax-code-formatting/
If adding spaces via Ctrl+H (Find: ( → Replace: () once per query works for you, that's the quickest workaround and Thanks, pcoley, OwenAuger & FBergamaschi for sharing valuable insights.
Best regards,
Ganesh Singamshetty.
Thank you for sharing this documentation as i was aware of it and looked at it before posting. I was more interested why it is noted in the settings "Skip space after function name" this way and I guess I misunderstood what it does.
Thank you for your response