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
Barkop_1
Frequent Visitor

Need explanation of how MAX() function works with Text Column

Hello,

 

I have found  multiple dax masures where MAX() is used with Text column, but none of the found solution explained how exactly does it work.

For example I was looking for measure that would return name of the month that had the highest sales value during respective year.

I implemented this measure into my .pbix (fount this on community): 

Best month = calculate(Max('Date'[MonthName]) ,TOPN(1,all('Date'[MonthName]),calculate([SalesUnits] )), values('Date'[MonthName]))
and it works as intended. Screenshots below.
 
Could someone explain how does the MAX() work with Text Columns?
 

Barkop_1_1-1715765719884.png

 

 

 

 

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
HotChilli
Super User
Super User

MAX on a text value uses alphabetical order to return a scalar value.

In the measure shown, it's not "really" doing anything, TOPN is returning a table with 1 value -  just preventing a syntax error due to measures requiring an aggregation. 

If there were 2 months with the same SalesUnits, it would give you the later month in the alphabet eg, sep ahead of feb

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
HotChilli
Super User
Super User

MAX on a text value uses alphabetical order to return a scalar value.

In the measure shown, it's not "really" doing anything, TOPN is returning a table with 1 value -  just preventing a syntax error due to measures requiring an aggregation. 

If there were 2 months with the same SalesUnits, it would give you the later month in the alphabet eg, sep ahead of feb

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.