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DataWiz01
Advocate II
Advocate II

SUM() vs SUMX(): What is the difference between the two DAX functions?

SUM() vs SUMX(): What is the difference between the two DAX functions?

7 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
FreemanZ
Super User
Super User

hi @DataWiz01 

SUM is syntax sugar, runned as SUMX in the background. 

View solution in original post

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

Power BI comprises 2 basic Calculation Engines: Aggregator Engine and Iterator Engine.

 

DAX SUM function belongs to the Aggregator Engine and it adds all the values in a single column to return the result. SUM considers a single column as a whole and returns a result. SUM and other aggregator functions are not capable of performing row-wise evaluations.

 

A typical SUM function looks like this:

SUM(<Column Name>)

 

SUM should be used whenever it is just a simple calculation across a single column and row-wise execution is not required. Hence, if your data is structured in a way that it contains only a single column of values, then you can use SUM to add up the values. The DAX SUM function operates over a single column and hence there is no need for an iterator in a case where you are simply trying to calculate the sum of a column of data.

 

Lets consider this example: Total Units = SUM(Sales_Table[Units])

 

The DAX SUM function considers a single column of data to add all the data in that column. So, the SUM function will add every single value in the “Units” column of Sales_Table to return the total number of units.

 

  • SUMX is an iterator function and takes a different approach.
  • Unlike SUM, SUMX is capable of performing row-by-row calculations and iterates through every row of a specified table to complete the calculation.
  • SUMX then adds all the row-wise results of the iterations of the given expression.

 

A typical SUMX function looks like this:

SUMX (<Table>, <Expression>)

 

You can use the SUMX function whenever there is a need for the row-by-row calculation. Hence, if your data is structured in a way that you will necessarily need to multiply values from 2 columns one row at a time in order to get the desired result, you simply must use the SUMX Power BI function.


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Sahir Maharaj
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View solution in original post

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

The Difference Between SUM vs SUMX In Power BI: https://blog.enterprisedna.co/difference-between-sum-vs-sumx-in-power-bi/


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Sahir Maharaj
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View solution in original post

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

SUM Vs SUMX: What's The Difference Between These Two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pu0z4GSs7g


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

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Sahir Maharaj
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View solution in original post

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

DAX Beginners - SUM Vs SUMX in Power BI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWwj9w06K4


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

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Sahir Maharaj
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View solution in original post

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

Hope this helps you 🙂


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
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View solution in original post

Everythinhg that has an X and a nonX version is just syntax sugar. It is all X iterators.  

View solution in original post

9 REPLIES 9
Michaelxq
New Member

Michaelxq_1-1713254508307.png

The difference between sumx and sum in an example

 

"CC Consumables Total 1" it's a sumx measure where it firstly multiplies per row and then sums -- (20*79.51) + (-20*-79.51) = 1590.2 + 1590.2 = 3180.4

 

whereas "Multiply sum" it firstly sums the column and then it multiplies -- (20+(-20))*(79.51+(-79.51)) = 0+0=0

Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

Hope this helps you 🙂


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
Data Scientist | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | AI Engineer
P.S. Want me to build your Power BI solution? (Yes, its FREE!)
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Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

DAX Beginners - SUM Vs SUMX in Power BI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQWwj9w06K4


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
Data Scientist | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | AI Engineer
P.S. Want me to build your Power BI solution? (Yes, its FREE!)
➤ Lets connect on LinkedIn: Join my network of 15K+ professionals
➤ Join my free newsletter: Data Driven: From 0 to 100
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➤ Email: sahir@sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Want me to build your Power BI solution? Lets chat about how I can assist!
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LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning
Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

SUM Vs SUMX: What's The Difference Between These Two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pu0z4GSs7g


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
Data Scientist | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | AI Engineer
P.S. Want me to build your Power BI solution? (Yes, its FREE!)
➤ Lets connect on LinkedIn: Join my network of 15K+ professionals
➤ Join my free newsletter: Data Driven: From 0 to 100
➤ Website: https://sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Email: sahir@sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Want me to build your Power BI solution? Lets chat about how I can assist!
➤ Join my Medium community of 30K readers! Sharing my knowledge about data science and artificial intelligence
➤ Explore my latest project (350K+ views): Wordlit.net
➤ 100+ FREE Power BI Themes: Download Now
LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning
Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

The Difference Between SUM vs SUMX In Power BI: https://blog.enterprisedna.co/difference-between-sum-vs-sumx-in-power-bi/


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
Data Scientist | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | AI Engineer
P.S. Want me to build your Power BI solution? (Yes, its FREE!)
➤ Lets connect on LinkedIn: Join my network of 15K+ professionals
➤ Join my free newsletter: Data Driven: From 0 to 100
➤ Website: https://sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Email: sahir@sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Want me to build your Power BI solution? Lets chat about how I can assist!
➤ Join my Medium community of 30K readers! Sharing my knowledge about data science and artificial intelligence
➤ Explore my latest project (350K+ views): Wordlit.net
➤ 100+ FREE Power BI Themes: Download Now
LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning
Sahir_Maharaj
Super User
Super User

Power BI comprises 2 basic Calculation Engines: Aggregator Engine and Iterator Engine.

 

DAX SUM function belongs to the Aggregator Engine and it adds all the values in a single column to return the result. SUM considers a single column as a whole and returns a result. SUM and other aggregator functions are not capable of performing row-wise evaluations.

 

A typical SUM function looks like this:

SUM(<Column Name>)

 

SUM should be used whenever it is just a simple calculation across a single column and row-wise execution is not required. Hence, if your data is structured in a way that it contains only a single column of values, then you can use SUM to add up the values. The DAX SUM function operates over a single column and hence there is no need for an iterator in a case where you are simply trying to calculate the sum of a column of data.

 

Lets consider this example: Total Units = SUM(Sales_Table[Units])

 

The DAX SUM function considers a single column of data to add all the data in that column. So, the SUM function will add every single value in the “Units” column of Sales_Table to return the total number of units.

 

  • SUMX is an iterator function and takes a different approach.
  • Unlike SUM, SUMX is capable of performing row-by-row calculations and iterates through every row of a specified table to complete the calculation.
  • SUMX then adds all the row-wise results of the iterations of the given expression.

 

A typical SUMX function looks like this:

SUMX (<Table>, <Expression>)

 

You can use the SUMX function whenever there is a need for the row-by-row calculation. Hence, if your data is structured in a way that you will necessarily need to multiply values from 2 columns one row at a time in order to get the desired result, you simply must use the SUMX Power BI function.


Did I answer your question? Mark my post as a solution, this will help others!

If my response(s) assisted you in any way, don't forget to drop me a "Kudos" 🙂

Kind Regards,
Sahir Maharaj
Data Scientist | Data Engineer | Data Analyst | AI Engineer
P.S. Want me to build your Power BI solution? (Yes, its FREE!)
➤ Lets connect on LinkedIn: Join my network of 15K+ professionals
➤ Join my free newsletter: Data Driven: From 0 to 100
➤ Website: https://sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Email: sahir@sahirmaharaj.com
➤ Want me to build your Power BI solution? Lets chat about how I can assist!
➤ Join my Medium community of 30K readers! Sharing my knowledge about data science and artificial intelligence
➤ Explore my latest project (350K+ views): Wordlit.net
➤ 100+ FREE Power BI Themes: Download Now
LinkedIn Top Voice in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Machine Learning
FreemanZ
Super User
Super User

hi @DataWiz01 

SUM is syntax sugar, runned as SUMX in the background. 

Thanks - This is what I needed @FreemanZ 

Everythinhg that has an X and a nonX version is just syntax sugar. It is all X iterators.  

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