Forum Discussion
DAX vs. Tableau
They are both formula languages and thus I'm not sure there are really any strengths/weaknesses to be had necessarily. Tableau's main strength is it's simplicity but it isn't nearly as extensive as DAX. Tableau has about 170 functions (that's generous as a lot of them are just variations). DAX has over 250 functions.
Not sure about specifically what can be done in one versus that other but perhaps some of the functions like GENERATE and NATURALINNERJOIN, etc.
You can create columns, measures and tables using DAX, I don't think you can create tables with Tableau formula language, might be wrong.
DAX can be used in Excel Power Pivot, Power BI Desktop and SQL Server tablular cubes. Tableau's language can be used with...Tableau.
For most day to day tasks I don't find Tableau any easier, it may be because I'm used to PBI/DAX but I often end up resorting to randomly trying different combinations when using level of detail or table calcs to achieve a desired outcome in Tableau without really knowing whats going on.
Tableau also requires you to somehow get the data into the right format before you can present it (Alteryx $6k per person per year?) whereas as others have pointed out DAX enables you to do much more on the fly.
Tableau wins hands down in terms of visualisation capabilties though but thats a different thread.