Adds all the numbers in a column.
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Quick Coach Video |
What it does? Adds all the numbers in a column. Syntax SUM([Column Name]) Returns Decimal Number |
What is the SUM function?
The SUM function in DAX is like the ultimate party planner! – it takes a list of numbers and adds them all together to give you one big total. Perfect for when you want to know how much fun you had at a party, or in data terms, how much sales your sales were last month!
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This content is part of our Aggregates DAX class that can be taken here.
Example 1: Candy Crush
Imagine you run a candy store, and you want to know how many candies you sold last week. Here’s how your sales data might look:
|
Day |
Candies Sold |
|
Monday |
100 |
|
Tuesday |
150 |
|
Wednesday |
200 |
|
Thursday |
250 |
|
Friday |
300 |
To find out how many candies you sold in total, you’d use the SUM function like this:
Total Candies = SUM(Sales[Candies Sold])
So how many candies did you sell? 100 + 150 + 200 + 250 + 300 = 1000! That’s a whole lot of sweet treats!
Example 2: Fantasy Football Frenzy
Picture this: you’re in a fantasy football league, and you want to calculate your Quarterback’s total passing yards for the season:
|
Game |
Points |
|
Game 1 |
184 |
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Game 2 |
226 |
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Game 3 |
254 |
To find your points scored:
Total Yards=SUM(League[Passing Yards])
Adding it up gives you 184 + 226 + 254 = 664 yards! Time to celebrate with some victory snacks!
Conclusion: Add It Up!
The SUM function in DAX is your trusty sidekick for adding things up, whether it’s candy sales, fantasy football statistics, or more. With just a simple function, you can turn data into insights and make your reports great!
So, what are you waiting for? Get SUMming!
Still Stuck?
This content is part of our Aggregates DAX class that can be taken here. We also have a Virtual Mentor program to get you unstuck.