Difference between custom column and calculated column

[davidwsw]

Is there a difference between adding a column in the query editor and adding a column in the data view?

Query Editor > Add Column > Add Custom Column:

Data View > Modeling > New Column:

I noticed that when a column is added using the second method, there is an icon that indicates the calculated column. When I do it using the first method, it is displayed just like any other column.

[v-micsh-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi davidwsw,

In addition to the difference of language used to create them, there are also others different parts between them.

We could take a look at the article below:

Calculated columns in Power BI Desktop, which explains the main difference between those two columns.

If any further assistance needed, please post back.

Regards

[BhaveshPatel]

Hi David,

Custom columns are created using the PowerQuery M Langauge and are not dax expressions.

Calculated columns are created using DAX Expressions and are part of the data model. 

More info on Custom Colimns and usage at here.

More info on Calculated Columns is at here

Thanks & Regards,

Bhavesh