Creating Cube Functions from Your Data Model – a Flexible Alternative to Calculations in Your Data Model

In the previous chapter, we learned how we could create measures to analyze data using DAX. These measures will be used to create PivotTable reports that will drive some of the key numbers and visuals in our final dashboard. However, there may be situations in our data analysis where we need to get calculations from our data model without using a PivotTable. Cube functions allow us to create flexible calculations to get or retrieve data from our data model so that we can have a more integrated and interactive dashboard.

This chapter covers the use of cube functions in Excel, which are a flexible alternative to calculations in your data model. The chapter will also cover the basics of cube functions and how to use them in your data model, as well as advanced techniques such as using dynamic array formulas and adding slicers to your cube formulas.

We will cover the following...