In this Pragmatic Works training video, Greg Trzeciak demonstrates how to leverage What-If parameters in Power BI to analyze the impact of potential changes in pricing, cost, and volume. This approach allows users to model dynamic scenarios without altering core measures or reports, using the powerful combination of field parameters and DAX functions.
🔍 What Are Field Parameters?
- Field parameters act like a remote control for your report visuals—letting users switch between values or measures without complex setup.
- Created through the “Modeling” tab in Power BI under "New Parameter".
- Two main types: Numeric Range and Field parameters.
- Built using the DAX function
GENERATESERIES().
📈 Scenario 1: Price Increase Simulation
- Greg sets up a parameter for price increases ranging from 0% to 20%.
- The key DAX function used:
SELECTEDVALUE() to reflect slicer input.
- Adjusted revenue is calculated as:
Base Revenue × (1 + Selected Value).
- This allows users to immediately see how a 5%, 10%, or 15% price change affects total revenue.
💰 Scenario 2: Cost Reduction Impact
- Another field parameter simulates cost reduction using the same principles.
- Instead of increasing, this time the formula subtracts the selected value from base costs.
- This approach is helpful for exploring cost-saving strategies and their direct impact on the bottom line.
📉 Scenario 3: Volume Fluctuations
- This use case simulates volume changes, starting from a negative percentage (e.g., -50%) to positive increases.
- Allows businesses to understand how sales volume changes affect metrics like revenue and costs.
- Especially useful for forecasting under best- and worst-case market scenarios.
🛠 Key Tools and Concepts Used
- Field Parameters: Let users control numeric or categorical inputs via slicers.
- SELECTEDVALUE(): Captures the user-selected value from a slicer to dynamically alter measures.
- GENERATESERIES(): Builds numeric value tables for parameter options.
- DAX Measures: Used to calculate adjusted metrics like revenue, cost, or volume based on user input.
✅ Summary
Greg Trzeciak wraps up by reinforcing the flexibility and ease of modeling What-If scenarios in Power BI. With field parameters and simple DAX expressions, users can quickly simulate price changes, cost adjustments, or volume shifts to make data-driven decisions with confidence.
Whether you're preparing for economic shifts or testing growth strategies, this technique equips Power BI users with interactive forecasting tools right inside their reports.
Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Power BI and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.