Forum Discussion

Credo's avatar
Credo
Helper I
7 years ago
Solved

VAR different result than without it

I've been slowly learning to use variables however I've run into a result that I dont understand 

 

I have a table with Sales by Manager that is filtered by TopN 10 Managers based on sales. 

 

I have the following measures, one just a sales total, another is two display a total that accounts for all sales not just top 10 managers. 

 

 

Sum of sales =
SUM ( 'FactSales'[Sales] )

Sales Top 10 =
IF (
    HASONEVALUE ( 'FactSales'[Manager] );
    'FactSales'[Sum of sales];
    CALCULATE ( 'FactSales'[Sum of sales]; ALL ( 'FactSales'[Manager] ) )
)

 

This measure displays the correct total for all sales

 

I tried writting the same measure with variables

 

 

 

 

Sales Top 10 =
VAR Sales =
    SUM ( 'FactSales'[Sales] )
RETURN
    IF (
        HASONEVALUE ( 'FactSales'[Manager] );
        Sales;
        CALCULATE ( Sales; ALL ( 'FactSales'[Manager] ) )
    )

 

However it only shows the total for top 10. 

 

Whats causing this behaviour? 

 

Need Help
  • OwenAuger's avatar
    OwenAuger
    7 years ago

    Hi Credo

     

    When a variable is defined with VAR, it is evaluated in the context where it is defined, then it is effectively a constant when used in any subsequent expressions. Currently there is no way to define a measure locally within another measure, so I would recommend sticking with Sum of Sales as a separate measure and referencing that within Sales Top 10.

     

    To explain further, in your second example, after the variable Sales is defined as SUM ( 'FactSales'[Sales] ), the expression CALCULATE ( Sales; ALL ( 'FactSales'[Manager] ) ) gives exactly the same result as Sales, since Sales is effectively a constant, and modifying filters makes no difference to a constant.

     

    Regards,

    Owen

     

     

1 Reply

  • OwenAuger's avatar
    OwenAuger
    Super User
    7 years ago

    Hi Credo

     

    When a variable is defined with VAR, it is evaluated in the context where it is defined, then it is effectively a constant when used in any subsequent expressions. Currently there is no way to define a measure locally within another measure, so I would recommend sticking with Sum of Sales as a separate measure and referencing that within Sales Top 10.

     

    To explain further, in your second example, after the variable Sales is defined as SUM ( 'FactSales'[Sales] ), the expression CALCULATE ( Sales; ALL ( 'FactSales'[Manager] ) ) gives exactly the same result as Sales, since Sales is effectively a constant, and modifying filters makes no difference to a constant.

     

    Regards,

    Owen