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

Join us for an expert-led overview of the tools and concepts you'll need to become a Certified Power BI Data Analyst and pass exam PL-300. Register now.

Reply
andrea_chiappo
Helper III
Helper III

Two identically calculated columns, one circular dependency error message

I have (among other) the following two tables: DimGroups[groupID] <-> DimGroupsUsers[groupID]  

where the arrow indicates that there's a two-way relationship linking the tables via the dimension [groupID]  

 

DimGroups

Capture.PNG   

DimGroupsUsers

Capture2.PNG

 

I first created a fatherGroupID column in DimGroupsUsers using the following formula 

 

fatherGroupID = LOOKUPVALUE(DimGroups[fatherGroupID], DimGroups[groupID], DimGroupsUsers[groupID])  
 
This worked correctly (as can be seen in the second snapshot).  
However, when I repeated the same formula to create a second column copying the description field from the first,  
using the following  
 
fatherContextName = LOOKUPVALUE(DimGroups[description], DimGroups[groupID], DimGroupsUsers[groupID])  
 
so changing only the fatherGroupID -> description , I get the circular dependency error.  
 
I even tried producing an identical column to the first, changing only the name (and keeping fathergroupID),   
but I always get the circular denpendency error.  
 
Why is this and how can I remedy? Thank you
 
UPDATE
I feel that I need to use function RELATED somehow, but I can't figure out how 
2 REPLIES 2
v-chuncz-msft
Community Support
Community Support

@andrea_chiappo 

 

To use RELATED function, ensure the Cardinality is set to Many-to-One (*:1).

 

Community Support Team _ Sam Zha
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

there is already a many-to-one relationship

Capture.PNG

 

but the following   

fatherGroupDescription = LOOKUPVALUE(DimGroups[description], DimGroups[groupID], RELATED(DimGroupsUsers[groupID]))  
returns an error  
 
Yet, I don't understand why creating a column using LOOKUPVALUE the first time works, while the second it doesn't

Helpful resources

Announcements
Join our Fabric User Panel

Join our Fabric User Panel

This is your chance to engage directly with the engineering team behind Fabric and Power BI. Share your experiences and shape the future.

June 2025 Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - June 2025

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

June 2025 community update carousel

Fabric Community Update - June 2025

Find out what's new and trending in the Fabric community.