How to connect to data using DAX

[penguins_fly]

Hello, 

I am a newbie in Power BI and recently had my first interview for Power BI. The only knowledge I have of Power BI is with power query, data modeling, and report generation. I know how to connect Power BI desktop with SQL and connect to data sources like Excel, web, and CSV more or less. However, the interviewer asked if I knew how to connect data using DAX. I never knew of such an option. pls tell me how you can connect using DAX and also pls recommend a source to learn more about connecting data to power BI. either a book or YouTube whatever it is.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @penguins_fly ,

DAX, which stands for Data Analysis Expressions, is a formula language used in Power BI for creating custom calculations on data already in your model. It's primarily used for data analysis and creating measures and calculated columns within your Power BI datasets. DAX does not directly connect to or import data. Instead, it works on data that has already been imported into Power BI.
To connect to data sources like SQL, Excel, web, and CSV, Power BI uses the "Get Data" feature available in Power BI Desktop. This process is part of the data modeling phase, where you import data into Power BI before applying any DAX calculations.
But in Power Query you can use M function to connect to the data source, please confirm if this is the question your interviewer is asking? But it is true that DAX cannot connect to the data source.

Best Regards,
Dino Tao
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[penguins_fly]

Thank you @Anonymous .

Yeah, the interviewer did ask the same question. He asked if I knew about loading data using DAX and I thought I was wrong when I said I never heard of such an option.  But again, he was not an expert in power BI or analytics.

Thanks again for clarifying though.

PS: It would be a great help if you could recommend any resources to learn different data connecting methods to Power BI.

[Anonymous]

Hi @penguins_fly ,

I recommend that you follow along with these official documents:
Connect to data in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Almost all of the ways Power BI connects to a data source are included here.

Best Regards,
Dino Tao

[penguins_fly]

Hi, @Anonymous 

Thank you for the recommendations. It helps a lot.

[Uzi2019]

Hi @penguins_fly 
I think Interviewer meant to say how to connect(Relationship) data( tables).
you can check the  DAX function for Relationship and table manipulation.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/relationship-functions-dax

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/table-manipulation-functions-dax

I hope I answered your question!

[penguins_fly]

Thanks for the reply @Uzi2019 bt I am sure he said about loading data using DAX not about relationships between tables.