Execute a DAX query (advanced)

Executes a complex DAX query with variables, filtering, and sorting. Supply the DAX query in the Query parameter.

Standard SQL query example

This is the base query accepted by the connector. To execute it in SQL Server, you have to pass it to the Data Gateway via a Linked Server. See how to accomplish this using the examples below.

SELECT * 
FROM execute_dax_query
WITH (Query='
DEFINE
    VAR MinimumAmount = 2000000
    VAR MaximumAmount = 8000000
EVALUATE
FILTER (
    ADDCOLUMNS (
        SUMMARIZE (Sales, Products[Category]),
        "CategoryAmount", [Sales Amount]
    ),
    AND (
        [CategoryAmount] <= MinimumAmount,
        [CategoryAmount] >= MaximumAmount
    )
)
ORDER BY [CategoryAmount]')

-- More info on 'EVALUATE' statement and DAX queries:
-- https://dax.guide/st/evaluate/
-- https://dax.guide/addcolumns/
-- https://dax.guide/summarize/
-- https://dax.guide/st/order-by/
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-queries
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/filter-functions-dax
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-syntax-reference

Using OPENQUERY in SQL Server

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_POWER_BI_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * 
FROM execute_dax_query
WITH (Query=''
DEFINE
    VAR MinimumAmount = 2000000
    VAR MaximumAmount = 8000000
EVALUATE
FILTER (
    ADDCOLUMNS (
        SUMMARIZE (Sales, Products[Category]),
        "CategoryAmount", [Sales Amount]
    ),
    AND (
        [CategoryAmount] <= MinimumAmount,
        [CategoryAmount] >= MaximumAmount
    )
)
ORDER BY [CategoryAmount]'')

-- More info on ''EVALUATE'' statement and DAX queries:
-- https://dax.guide/st/evaluate/
-- https://dax.guide/addcolumns/
-- https://dax.guide/summarize/
-- https://dax.guide/st/order-by/
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-queries
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/filter-functions-dax
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-syntax-reference')

Using EXEC in SQL Server (handling larger SQL text)

The major drawback of OPENQUERY is its inability to incorporate variables within SQL statements. This often leads to the use of cumbersome dynamic SQL (with numerous ticks and escape characters).

Fortunately, starting with SQL 2005 and onwards, you can utilize the EXEC (your_sql) AT [LS_TO_POWER_BI_IN_GATEWAY] syntax.

DECLARE @MyQuery NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'SELECT * 
FROM execute_dax_query
WITH (Query=''
DEFINE
    VAR MinimumAmount = 2000000
    VAR MaximumAmount = 8000000
EVALUATE
FILTER (
    ADDCOLUMNS (
        SUMMARIZE (Sales, Products[Category]),
        "CategoryAmount", [Sales Amount]
    ),
    AND (
        [CategoryAmount] <= MinimumAmount,
        [CategoryAmount] >= MaximumAmount
    )
)
ORDER BY [CategoryAmount]'')

-- More info on ''EVALUATE'' statement and DAX queries:
-- https://dax.guide/st/evaluate/
-- https://dax.guide/addcolumns/
-- https://dax.guide/summarize/
-- https://dax.guide/st/order-by/
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-queries
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/filter-functions-dax
-- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-syntax-reference'
EXEC (@MyQuery) AT [LS_TO_POWER_BI_IN_GATEWAY]