Return a single value from a variable table in DAX by column name

[vfx661]

How can I return the desc column value from this variable table?

my_desc = 
VAR my_table = TOPN(1, DESC_TABLE)
return my_table[DESC]

Where DESC is a column in DESC_TABLE.

This is a simplified version of my problem - the real one has a SWITCH to determine my_table from multiple different tables, in all cases I use TOPN(1, .) to get the first row of each table.

The error I get is:
The expression refers to multiple columns. Multiple columns cannot be converted to a scalar value.

I've tried using VALUES() function.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @vfx661 ,

Here's the measure returns the result based on your scenario.

my_desc = 
VAR my_table = TOPN(1,'DESC_TABLE')
return MAXX(my_table,[DESC])

In addition to MAXX, MINX, if it is a numeric column, you can also use SUMX.

Also you can use summarize to return the single column.

my_desc = 
VAR my_table = TOPN(1,'DESC_TABLE')
return SUMMARIZE(my_table,[DESC])

Best Regards,

Stephen Tao

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

[ryan_mayu]

could you pls provide some sample data and expected output?