Forum Discussion
Issue with sorting a bar chart by a DISTINCTCOUNT measure
I have a bar chart in Power BI where the values represent a distinct count of an identifier (e.g. unique users).
The measure itself returns the correct values and is defined using DISTINCTCOUNT.
However, when I try to sort the axis by that same measure, the visual does not sort according to the distinct count shown in the bars.
Instead, it behaves as if it were sorting by a non-distinct (total) count, producing an incorrect ordering.
I have already tried:
Defining the calculation explicitly as a measure (using CALCULATE(DISTINCTCOUNT(...)))
Using the same measure both for the bar values and for sorting the axis
Even though the displayed numbers are correct, the sort order does not reflect the distinct count.
Is this a known limitation/bug in Power BI visuals (especially when the axis field comes from a related table), or is there a recommended workaround to force correct sorting based on a DISTINCTCOUNT?
Hii danicarre
Power BI sometimes fails to sort a visual correctly by a DISTINCTCOUNT measure, especially when the axis field comes from a related table, because sorting may internally behave like a regular count under certain filter contexts. Even though the measure shows correct values, the sort order can be inconsistent. The reliable fix is to create a separate summarized table or ranking measure (using RANKX on the DISTINCTCOUNT) and use that for sorting, ensuring the visual respects the distinct count logic.
Hi danicarre
It's a limitation rather than an issue with DAX. Even though DISTINCTCOUNT returns correct values in the bars, the visual’s sorting logic may evaluate the measure in a different context especially when the axis comes from a related dimension table causing it to behave like a regular count.
So workaround is to create a RANKX measure based on your DISTINCTCOUNT and sort the visual using that rank forcing Power BI to respect the correct evaluation context
5 Replies
rohit1991Super User
Hii danicarre
Power BI sometimes fails to sort a visual correctly by a DISTINCTCOUNT measure, especially when the axis field comes from a related table, because sorting may internally behave like a regular count under certain filter contexts. Even though the measure shows correct values, the sort order can be inconsistent. The reliable fix is to create a separate summarized table or ranking measure (using RANKX on the DISTINCTCOUNT) and use that for sorting, ensuring the visual respects the distinct count logic.
- krishnakanth240
Hi danicarre
It's a limitation rather than an issue with DAX. Even though DISTINCTCOUNT returns correct values in the bars, the visual’s sorting logic may evaluate the measure in a different context especially when the axis comes from a related dimension table causing it to behave like a regular count.
So workaround is to create a RANKX measure based on your DISTINCTCOUNT and sort the visual using that rank forcing Power BI to respect the correct evaluation context
- Ashish_Mathur
Hi,
Please share the download link of the PBI file with your viz already built there. Show the problem there very clearly.
- danextian
I can't replicate this. Can you please post a screenshot including the sort dialogue box and the measure?
v-pnaroju-msftCommunity Support
Thankyou, rohit1991, krishnakanth240, Ashish_Mathur, and danextian for your responses.
Hi danicarre,
We appreciate your inquiry through the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.
We would like to inquire whether have you got the chance to check the solutions provided by rohit1991 and krishnakanth240 to resolve the issue. We hope the information provided helps to clear the query. Should you have any further queries, kindly feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric community.
Thank you.
