SQLBI Newsletter #298

NEW ARTICLE

Choosing between DISTINCT and VALUES in DAX

When should you use DISTINCT over VALUES in DAX? Here is how to write resilient measures that survive bad data and model changes.
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SQLBI REPLAY

Using EXPAND and COLLAPSE in visual calculations

This article provides examples of visual calculations where the use of EXPAND and COLLAPSE is required to obtain the correct result.
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#298 · Jul 2025

LEARNING

Course calendar

DATA MODELING - 3 DAYS

	Dec 2-4 - Amsterdam

Mastering DAX - 3 DAYS

	Jul 9-11 - Seattle
	Aug 19-21 - Toronto
	Oct 1-3 - London
	Oct 28-30 - Lugano
	Nov 4-6 - Amsterdam
	Nov 12-14 - Chicago
	Dec 8-10 - Austin

video courses

	Introducing DAX
	Mastering DAX
	Optimizing DAX
	Intro to Data Modeling
	Data Modeling for Power BI
	Mastering Tabular
	DAX Tools Video Course
	DAX Patterns
	Power BI Dashboard Design

CLASSROOM COURSES

Mastering DAX in Toronto

Do not miss the next course in Toronto with Alberto Ferrari!

Come join Alberto before seats run out!

This will be our only course in Canada in 2025.

Aug 19-21, 2025 - Toronto, CA

BI-WEEKLY NEWS DIGEST

Latest news

	• DAX Studio v3.3.1 update After a big release (3.3.0) there are always fixes in the following weeks. Get the 3.3.1 update to make sure you don't have bugs and take advantage of the new features! Jun 26, 2025 · Darren Gosbell
	• Power BI Report Server is the new SQL Server Reporting Services Microsoft announced that Power BI Report Server will be available in all the editions of SQL Server 2025, and there will no longer be a SQL Server Reporting Services. The paginated report feature is the new home for your RDL files, and you can also have interactive reports (PBIX) connected to semantic models. No automatic migration, some work is required, some features are not supported in the new format. The world is changing fast, but there is still time to move SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) to a new home. In 2028, maybe? Jun 20, 2025 · Brent Ozar
	• Power BI Turns 10! In July 2025, Power BI turns 10! Get ready for the virtual birthday party on July 24th, and in the meantime, enjoy all the historical logos in the startup screen of Power BI Desktop. Jun 23, 2025 · Microsoft
	• Control Power BI and Fabric by using AI tools (with MCP servers) It is unusual to include a link to a YouTube video in the news section of this newsletter. But there are always exceptions. The world is moving fast, and while AI alone might not be able to do everything at this time, its integration with existing libraries, tools, and services can already offer interesting opportunities. Check out what you can do today with MCP servers connected to Power BI or Fabric, without Copilot. Jun 26, 2025 · Kurt Buhler
	• Power BI Copilot AI instructions: helping users understand the scope of the data If you use Copilot in Power BI, you should use the AI Instructions to control the results produced by chatting with the semantic model and to remove ambiguities. Eventually, another agent will prepare the semantic model, but someone will still have to explain what is the meaning of your customization. Jun 22, 2025 · Chris Webb
	• What’s new in SQL Server 2025 Analysis Services Microsoft announced the features included in Microsoft Analysis Service 2025. This new on-premises version still makes sense in a number of scenarios, but... it will not have DAX user-defined functions, which could be a huge technical debt if you start a new large semantic model project soon. Jun 9, 2025 · Microsoft

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