Forum Discussion
What is the difference between addcolumns and selectcolumns in DAX?
Hi, We all know that both addcolumns and selectcolumns have almost the same syntax and return a table, but I want to know that
What is the difference between addcolumns and selectcolumns in DAX? is there any example for that?
SandipGhosh , In case, addcolumn, exiting column are already selected and you add post that. The column that are there in table part of the addcolumn.
Selectcolumn is select each column/formula with a new name. There is nothing selected beforehand.
6 Replies
- Pragati11
Super User
Hi SandipGhosh ,
- ADDCOLUMNS allows you to add new calculated columns in an existing table.
- SELECTCOLUMNS allows you to select columns from an original table, without starting with the defined structure of the original table
You can refer following links on details on both of these DAX functions:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/addcolumns-function-dax
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/selectcolumns-function-dax
In addition in the below blog, it is shown how SELECTCOLUMNS can be a representation of ADDCOLUMNS and SUMMARIZE functions:
https://blog.crossjoin.co.uk/2015/06/01/using-selectcolumns-to-alias-columns-in-dax/
Thanks,
Pragati
- amitchandak
Super User
SandipGhosh , In case, addcolumn, exiting column are already selected and you add post that. The column that are there in table part of the addcolumn.
Selectcolumn is select each column/formula with a new name. There is nothing selected beforehand.
- SandipGhoshFrequent Visitor
Hi,
Can you writeen the reply in english please.
- lkalawski
Resident Rockstar
Hi SandipGhosh ,
This is explained in the Remarks section: https://dax.guide/selectcolumns/
Please check it.
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If I helped, please accept the solution and give kudos! 😀- SandipGhoshFrequent Visitor
Hi,
it stated that "SELECTCOLUMNS starts with an empty table before adding columns." I dont understand what does it mean?
Can you explain me that?
- garythomannCoGC
Impactful Individual
Create a subset of the table in Power BI and add calculations using SELECTCOLUMNS DAX Function
And further the above article makes it all very clear :}