need help with semantic link syntax

[Jeanxyz]

I'm a beginner with semantic link, the command below caused an error. "duration" is the field I created to store measure [Phase Duration(M)]. But if I run the same measure by group by, it works.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

Thankyou @lbendlin for your response regarding the query.

I'm glad that your query was resolved. If the response provided by the community member addressed your query, could you please confirm?
It helps us ensure that the solutions provided are effective and beneficial for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding!

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz

Following up to check whether you got a chance to review the suggestions given. If the issue still persists please let us know. Glad to help. 

If our response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a ‘Kudos’ so other members can easily find it. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help.

TRhank you.

[Jeanxyz]

My goal is to understand why the summarizecolumn query failed. Hence it's not really solved yet.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

Thank you for using Microsoft Community Forum.

The reason your SUMMARIZECOLUMNS query is failing is due to how DAX processes calculated fields within that function.

When you define "Duration" as a calculated field using the measure [Phase Duration(M)], DAX doesn't recognize it properly. Instead of evaluating it as a measure, it treats it as a generic object (System.Object), which is unsupported by SUMMARIZECOLUMNS.

SUMMARIZECOLUMNS only works with existing columns and measures. If you try to create a calculated column on the fly, DAX fails to resolve it correctly.

To make this work, you need to wrap the measure calculation in a CALCULATE() function to ensure it's evaluated properly within the row context.

If this suggestion  helped you, kindly mark it as Accept as Solution and feel free to give a Kudos, it would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

[Jeanxyz]

Thanks for the explanation. I tried your advice, and write the query as below

******************

%%dax "CRM - Financial Report UAT 2025"

Evaluate

Summarizecolummns(

    "Sales Phase[Sales Phase]",

    "duration", 'calculate(MEDIAN(Sales_Phase_Log[Phase Duration]))')

**************************

This time I got a different error message: An error occurred when running AdomdCommand. AdomdCommandActivityId: '2ed55e13-8d70-4680-a74e-e7c50226da96' Caused by AdomdErrorResponseException: Query (4, 17) Cannot find table '<oii>calculate(MEDIAN(Sales_Phase_Log[Phase Duration]))</oii>'.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

Try this Dax Measure:

Evaluate
SUMMARIZECOLUMNS(
'Sales Phase'[Sales Phase],
"duration", [Phase Duration(M)]
)

Ensure [Phase Duration(M)] is already a valid measure.

Phase Duration(M) = MEDIAN(Sales_Phase_Log[Phase Duration])

SUMMARIZECOLUMNS only allows measures and existing columns, not calculated expressions directly.

If this solution worked for you, kindly mark it as Accept as Solution and feel free to give a Kudos, it would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

[Jeanxyz]

This is tried already. Not working, the measure [Phase Duration(M)] is valid, as it works evaluate measure expression.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

Thank you for the update.

I understand that you have already tried this, and the measure [Phase Duration(M)] is valid.

Please note that SUMMARIZECOLUMNS always returns a table output, not a single value.

To view the results properly:

• Please use this query inside a Table visual in your Power BI report.
• Alternatively, you can run it in DAX Query View (available in the latest Power BI Desktop) to directly see the output.

If you try to use it directly in a card or as a scalar measure, it will not display properly, as a table result needs a table format to render.

Kindly try placing the output in a Table visual and check once.

Glad I could assist! If this answer helped resolve your issue, please mark it as Accept as Solution and give us Kudos to guide others facing the same concern.

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi  @Jeanxyz,

We wanted to follow up since we haven't heard back from you regarding our last response. We hope your issue has been resolved.

If my answer resolved your query, please mark it as "Accept Answer" and give Kudos if it was helpful.

If you need any further assistance, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for being a valued member of the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum!

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

I wanted to check in your situation regarding the issue. Have you resolved it? If you have, please consider marking the reply as Accepted solution and give Kudos that helped you. It would be greatly appreciated by others in the community who may have the same question.

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @Jeanxyz,

we haven't heard back from you regarding our last response and wanted to check if your issue has been resolved. If our response addressed by the community member for  your query, please mark it as Accept Answer and click Yes if you found it helpful.

Should you have any further questions, feel free to reach out.

Thank you for being a part of the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum!

[lbendlin]

try using ADDCOLUMNS and/or wrapping the measure in a CALCULATE()