Chapter 2 of 4 · Microsoft PL-300

Model the data

Relationships, date tables, DAX measures, time intelligence, calculation groups and model performance.

  • 6topics
  • 26 minfast track
  • 1diagrams and exhibits
  • 25–30%of the exam
Start with Table and Column Properties and Relationships

Topics in this chapter

Take them in order, or jump to the one you need.

  1. 1Table and Column Properties and RelationshipsPL-300 data model design: set table and column properties, define relationship cardinality and cross filter direction, and…Diagram5 min
  2. 2Date Tables, Calculated Columns and Calculated TablesPL-300 date tables and calculations: create a common date table, mark it as a date table, and decide between calculated columns…4 min
  3. 3Measures, Quick Measures and CALCULATEPL-300 DAX measures: write single aggregation measures, understand filter context, use CALCULATE with filters and ALL, and build…4 min
  4. 4Time Intelligence and Semi Additive MeasuresPL-300 time intelligence: year to date, prior year and rolling period DAX, plus semi additive measures for balances and stock…4 min
  5. 5Statistical Functions and Calculation GroupsPL-300 statistics and calculation groups: use MEDIAN, STDEV, VAR, PERCENTILE and RANKX in DAX, and build calculation groups with…4 min
  6. 6Optimizing Model PerformancePL-300 model performance: remove unneeded rows and columns, reduce granularity, and find slow visuals and measures with…5 min

About this chapter

What this chapter covers

A semantic model turns clean tables into something reports can ask questions of. This domain is worth 25 to 30 percent of the exam. It covers designing the model with relationships and properties, writing calculations in DAX, and tuning the model so reports stay fast.

You need to read DAX and predict what it returns, and to recognise which modeling change fixes a wrong number or a slow report.

How the topics fit together

Designtables, relationships, propertiesCalculatemeasures, CALCULATE, time intelligenceOptimizePerformance Analyzer, DAX query viewReportvisuals use the model
  • Table and column properties and relationships covers cardinality, filter direction, role playing dimensions and properties.
  • Date tables, calculated columns and calculated tables covers the common date table and when to compute at refresh.
  • Measures, quick measures and CALCULATE covers aggregation measures and filter context.
  • Time intelligence and semi additive measures covers year to date, prior period and balances.
  • Statistical functions and calculation groups covers statistics and reusable calculation items.
  • Optimizing model performance covers removing waste, reducing granularity and finding slow items.
Exam tip

When a number is wrong in a visual, think filter context and relationships before thinking about the formula.

How to use these pages

Each topic page has the same shape, so you can skim for what you need.

  • What it is: the idea in plain words.
  • How it works: the mechanism, with examples and tables.
  • What to remember for the exam: the facts to memorise and how questions are phrased.
  • Common mistakes: the classic traps.
  • Check yourself: three questions to test your understanding.

Ready for more practice?

The full Microsoft PL-300 question bank has 657 questions, with timed practice exams and an explanation for every answer.

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