Scatterplot Non-Distinct Data Labels, without X- and Y-axes Summing

[GStout824]

Hi all.  My apologies if this was answered elsewhere, I just can't seem to find a post addressing this.

I'd like to use non-distinct data labels in the Values field of a scatterplot, but not have those values get summed on the X- and Y-axes.  I'd like to use Last_Name as the data label, but that means that anyone with same last name gets their values summed.  Obviously I could use a unique value like Employee_ID or something, but a string of numbers is sort of useless, certainly nowhere near as convenient as just seeing Last_Name next to the marker.  Nor do I want to have both Employee_ID and Last_Name as part of the label.  Just Last_Name.

I realize it's inherently in conflict to try to plot non-distinct values distinctly, when the X- and Y-axes need to sum.  I get it.  Nonetheless, thought I'd see if there were any creative solutions out there.

I thought about trying to use a Calculate measure for my X- and Y-axes that could somehow ignore the Last_Name and therefore plot non-summed Last_Name values, but I'm not sure that's the way to go.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance.

[OwenAuger · Accepted solution]

Hi @GStout824 

One method you can use here is to set the Group By Columns propery of the Last_Name column to Employee_ID.

This effectively instructs Power BI to include Employee_ID with Last_Name whenever Last_Name is used in a visual, as a grouping or filtering column. This property can only be set in Tabular Editor.

When Last_Name is used as a grouping field in a visual, Employee_ID will automatically be added as an (invisible) grouping column. 

I have attached a small example where I have set the Last_Name column's Group By Columns property to Employee_ID.

See this article for a more detailed description:

https://www.sqlbi.com/articles/understanding-group-by-columns-in-power-bi

[GStout824]

Yahtzee!!  This is incredible!  @OwenAuger Thank you so, so much.  Took me a minute because I needed to download a later version of Tabular Editor 2, but once I did the Keep Unique Key field was present and I was able to change to True.  From there, pure gold.  Thank you again!