Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Get Fabric Certified for FREE during Fabric Data Days. Don't miss your chance! Request now

Reply
Anonymous
Not applicable

Recursive BOM analysis

Hi,

 

I would like to ask for your help in finding a way to solve a recursive BOM problem in Power BI. I would like to show users all orders affected by a chosen item. However, an item produced in an order can be a component in different order, which needs to be listed as well.

 

This is the table I have:

2020-08-04 14_15_17-adkr - Power BI Desktop.png

 

Example:

Item 123456 is directly used as component in orders o123, o456 and o789.

Item produced in o789 is used in order o01234.

Item produced in o01234 is used in order o05678.

 

When a user chooses item 123456 it shows them the following list:

o123

o456

o789

o01234

o05678

 

I used to solve problems like this by recursion in Python and this is what I was thinking about doing here but I don't have an idea how to implement it in Power BI. There is also the time aspect but I guess I would to know how to handle this.

 

Could you please give me any clue to solve it?

2 REPLIES 2
amitchandak
Super User
Super User

@Anonymous , refer if these can help

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/BOM-Modeling/td-p/307652

https://www.thebiccountant.com/2017/05/08/dynamic-bill-of-material-bom-solution-in-excel-and-powerbi/

https://finance-bi.com/power-bi-bom-explosion/

Share with Power BI Enthusiasts: Full Power BI Video (20 Hours) YouTube
Microsoft Fabric Series 60+ Videos YouTube
Microsoft Fabric Hindi End to End YouTube
Greg_Deckler
Community Champion
Community Champion

Not really enough information to go on, please first check if your issue is a common issue listed here: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Community-Blog/Before-You-Post-Read-This/ba-p/1116882

Also, please see this post regarding How to Get Your Question Answered Quickly: https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Community-Blog/How-to-Get-Your-Question-Answered-Quickly/ba-p/38490

The most important parts are:
1. Sample data as text, use the table tool in the editing bar
2. Expected output from sample data
3. Explanation in words of how to get from 1. to 2.

 

That said, DAX is very bad at recursion. https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Quick-Measures-Gallery/Previous-Value-aka-quot-Recursion-quot/m-p/6...

 

You can use Python and R in visuals so that may be a route to go. 

 

Also, Power Query supports recursion, so you may be able to do something there. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fun-graphing-power-bi-part-3i-greg-deckler-microsoft-mvp-/

 

But, I don't really understand your data and exactly what you are trying to do so hard to be specific.



Follow on LinkedIn
@ me in replies or I'll lose your thread!!!
Instead of a Kudo, please vote for this idea
Become an expert!: Enterprise DNA
External Tools: MSHGQM
YouTube Channel!: Microsoft Hates Greg
Latest book!:
DAX For Humans

DAX is easy, CALCULATE makes DAX hard...

Helpful resources

Announcements
November Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - November 2025

Check out the November 2025 Power BI update to learn about new features.

Fabric Data Days Carousel

Fabric Data Days

Advance your Data & AI career with 50 days of live learning, contests, hands-on challenges, study groups & certifications and more!

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.

Top Solution Authors
Top Kudoed Authors