Created a new table, now I can't create new measures on data

[KejGdr]

Hi Fabric Community, 

I am relatively new to power BI, I have 3 data which is from a sharepoint list

I created a table with the query: 

AllUsers = UNION(
    SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST1', "Name", 'LIST1'[Created By.title]), 
    SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST2', "Name", 'LIST2'[Created By.title] ),
    SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST3', "Name", 'LIST2'[Created By.title])
)

the problem now is whenever I try to create a new measure on any of the list (either list1,2 or 3) I cannot reference any column of that list, intellisense only reference this table AllUsers 

What mistake have I done? Can somebody shed some light into what madness am I doing

[v-saisrao-msft]

Hi @KejGdr,

Checking in to see if your issue has been resolved. let us know if you still need any assistance.

Thank you.

[Shubham_rai955]

This issue happens because you are trying to create a DAX measure that refers directly to columns from your source tables (LIST1, LIST2, LIST3) through a calculated table (AllUsers), but calculated tables defined with UNION and SELECTCOLUMNS do not maintain direct lineage to original tables and columns for measure reference; intellisense will only show fields from the new table. DAX measures require referencing columns in the context of aggregation (like SUM, COUNT, SELECTEDVALUE) , you cannot just type the column name unless it’s in the measure’s table or wrapped in an aggregation.​

How to Fix

• To reference columns from LIST1, LIST2, or LIST3 in a measure, create the measure directly in those tables, not in the calculated AllUsers table.​

• If you need to analyze columns from Lists within the same measure, use aggregation functions, or move logic into calculated columns in the source tables, then use those columns in measures.​

• Alternatively, change your logic so the measure is created in AllUsers and only references columns that exist there (e.g., [Name]).

Measures in Power BI can only “see” columns in their own table or columns passed via aggregation or relationships; calculated tables created by UNION/SELECTCOLUMNS do not expose their source columns for further measure referencing.

[v-saisrao-msft]

Hi @KejGdr,

Have you had a chance to review the solution we shared by @Nabha-Ahmed @Zanqueta ? If the issue persists, feel free to reply so we can help further.

Thank you.

[Zanqueta · Accepted solution]

Hi @KejGdr,

Your DAX expression creates a new table named AllUsers using the UNION function, which combines user names from three SharePoint lists. However, when attempting to create a new measure within any of the original lists (LIST1, LIST2, or LIST3), the IntelliSense only references the AllUsers table.

Likely Cause

This behaviour typically occurs due to one or more of the following reasons:

1. The original tables may not be visible in the data model (for example, they may have been excluded from loading in Power Query).
2. The measure is being created within the AllUsers table, which does not maintain a direct relationship with the original lists.
3. There are no defined relationships between AllUsers and the source tables, which limits context awareness in DAX.

Recommended Actions

1. Confirm the Original Tables Are Loaded

Ensure that LIST1, LIST2, and LIST3 are present in the Fields pane. If they are missing, verify in Power Query whether they have been disabled from loading or filtered out.

2. Create the Measure in the Appropriate Table

When defining a measure, explicitly assign it to the relevant source table. For example:

TotalRecordsLIST1 = COUNTROWS('LIST1')

Official Documentation

UNION function (DAX) - DAX | Microsoft Learn
Tutorial: Create your own measures in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

✅ If this response resolved your issue, please mark it as correct to assist other members of the community.

[Nabha-Ahmed]

Hi   

The problem is twofold:

1. Typo in your UNION:

    

   AllUsers = UNION( SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST1', "Name", 'LIST1'[Created By.title]), SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST2', "Name", 'LIST2'[Created By.title]), SELECTCOLUMNS('LIST3', "Name", 'LIST3'[Created By.title]) // fixed )

   1. Measures must reference the original table

      • AllUsers is a new table; it cannot replace the original lists.

      • To create a measure for LIST1, select LIST1 as the table, e.g.:

         

        UsersCount_LIST1 = DISTINCTCOUNT('LIST1'[Created By.title])

        Use AllUsers only for combined analysis or visuals.

@KejGdr