DAX Studio: How to install DAX Studio on a Power BI desktop?

Power BI Desktop is a powerful business intelligence tool that enables users to connect to various data sources, transform the data, and create interactive visualizations. DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is the formula language used in Power BI Desktop for creating custom calculations and aggregations. DAX Studio is a tool that allows advanced users to write, test, and debug DAX expressions outside of Power BI Desktop. This article will show you how to install DAX Studio on Power BI Desktop.

What is DAX Studio?

DAX Studio is a free tool that provides advanced debugging and performance analysis for DAX expressions. With DAX Studio, you can write and test DAX formulas in a dedicated environment outside of Power BI Desktop. DAX Studio allows you to:

• View the query plan and query timings for DAX expressions
• Profile DAX expressions to identify performance issues
• Debug DAX expressions with breakpoints and watch windows
• Share and reuse DAX queries with other users

How to Install DAX Studio on Power BI Desktop?

• Prerequisites

Before installing DAX Studio, ensure that your computer meets the following prerequisites:

• Windows 7 or later operating system (64-bit)
• Power BI Desktop installed (version 2.70 or later)
• .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later
• Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2017 or later

• Downloading and Installing DAX Studio

To download and install DAX Studio, follow these steps:

1. Go to the DAX Studio website at https://daxstudio.org/.
2. Click on the Download button on the home page.
3. Select the appropriate version of DAX Studio for your operating system (64-bit).
4. Click on the Installer link to download the DAX Studio installer.
5. Once the download is complete, run the installer.
6. Follow the prompts in the installer to complete the installation.

• Connecting DAX Studio to Power BI Desktop

After installing DAX Studio, you can connect it to Power BI Desktop by following these steps:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Open the report or dataset that you want to work with in DAX Studio.
3. Click on the Modeling tab in the ribbon.
4. Click on the New Measure button to create a new measure.
5. In the formula bar, type a DAX expression that you want to work with in DAX Studio.
6. Click on the DAX Studio button in the formula bar.
7. DAX Studio will launch and connect to Power BI Desktop automatically.
8. You can now work with the DAX expression in DAX Studio.

• Using DAX Studio with Power BI Desktop

Once you have connected DAX Studio to Power BI Desktop, you can start working with DAX expressions. Here are some common tasks you can perform with DAX Studio:

• Writing and testing DAX expressions
• Debugging DAX expressions with breakpoints and watching windows
• Profiling DAX expressions to identify performance issues
• Sharing and reusing DAX queries with other users
• Exporting DAX query results to Excel or CSV files
• Analyzing query plans and timings for DAX expressions

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Step to Install DAX Studio on a Power BI Desktop

DAX Studio is a powerful tool for data analysts and developers who work with Power BI. It enables them to write, run, and debug DAX queries, as well as optimize their performance. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install DAX Studio on a Power BI desktop:

Step 1: Check the System Requirements

Before downloading and installing DAX Studio, it is important to ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements. DAX Studio is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 or later. It requires .NET Framework 4.6.1 or later and Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015.

Step 2: Download DAX Studio

To download DAX Studio, go to the official DAX Studio website at https://daxstudio.org/. Click on the “Download” button, and choose the version that corresponds to your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).

Step 3: Install DAX Studio

Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click on it to start the installation process. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. The default installation path is C:Program FilesDAX Studio.

Step 4: Configure Power BI Desktop

To use DAX Studio with Power BI Desktop, you need to enable the External Tools feature. Open Power BI Desktop, go to “File” > “Options and settings” > “Options”, and select “External Tools” on the left-hand menu. Check the box next to “Enable “External Tools” and click on the “Add” button.

Step 5: Add DAX Studio to External Tools

In the “Add External Tool” dialogue box, enter the following information:

• Name: DAX Studio
• Command: C:Program FilesDAX StudioDaxStudio.exe (or the path where you installed DAX Studio)
• Arguments: -d “$(document)” -s “$(server)” -i “$(model)” -a

Make sure to include quotation marks around the arguments. Click on the “OK” button to save the settings.

Step 6: Use DAX Studio in Power BI Desktop

To use DAX Studio in Power BI Desktop, open a report or a dataset, and go to the “External Tools” menu. Click on “DAX Studio” to launch the application. DAX Studio will automatically connect to the Power BI data model and display the query editor.

Conclusion

Installing DAX Studio on a Power BI Desktop is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your data analysis and development capabilities. By enabling you to write and optimize DAX queries, DAX Studio can help you unlock the full potential of your data model and extract valuable insights. With this guide, you should be able to install DAX Studio and start exploring its features in no time.

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