Topn formula error: Multiple Columns scalar value

[findingsolution]

Hi!

I'm trying to calculate the top 3 expenses (by cost) using a topn formula, but I keep getting back: "The expression refers to multiple columns. Multiple columns cannot be converted to a scalar value."

How do I fix this? Thank you!

[parry2k]

@findingsolution  try this

Most Expensive Items =
CONCATENATEX (
TOPN ( 
            3, 
            ALLSELECTED ( Expenses), 
            Expenses[Expense Cost], 
            DESC 
        ) ,
  [Expense Name], "," 
)

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[findingsolution]

works like a charm, thanks so much!

[parry2k]

@findingsolution not sure if I understood your question, in a visual, drop expense name and the TOP N measure and you will get the name and cot of the TOP 3. If this is not what you are looking for then provide more details. 

[findingsolution]

hi @parry2k , I'm trying to create text that will give me my top expense, with the name and the cost, like the below. You very kindly helped me with the Most Expensive (cost), but now I need the name of the most expensive item, if that makes sense! 

[parry2k · Accepted solution]

@findingsolution TOPN returns a table and your measure should always return a scalar value and that's why you are getting this error

Most Expensive =

CALCULATE ( 
    SUM ( Expenses[Expense Cost] ),  
    KEEPFILTERS ( 
        TOPN ( 
            3, 
            ALLSELECTED ( Expenses), 
            Expenses[Expense Cost], 
            DESC 
        ) 
    ) 
)

try above measure

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Check my latest blog post The Power of Using Calculation Groups with Inactive Relationships (Part 1) (perytus.com) I would ❤ Kudos if my solution helped. 👉 If you can spend time posting the question, you can also make efforts to give Kudos to whoever helped to solve your problem. It is a token of appreciation!

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[findingsolution]

thank you so much! I have a follow up question:

I now have the cost of each expense, how do I get a measure that calculates the name of the expense? Now I want the top 3 expenses by cost, but I want their names (not the values, like above). Thank you so much!