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PL-300 · Glossary

The terms, in one sentence each

248 terms from the PL-300 study guide. Each one links to the card that explains it.

A

active relationship
The one relationship between two tables that passes filters by default, so reports can use it without any special formula. Study card: Role-playing dimensions →
additive measure also: additive measures, fully additive measure, fully additive measures
A measure, such as units sold, that can be summed across every dimension, including time, and still give a correct result. Study card: Semi-additive measures →
aggregation function also: aggregation functions
A DAX function such as SUM, AVERAGE or COUNT that combines many values from a column into one value. Study card: Single aggregation measures →
AI split also: AI splits
A decomposition tree level that Power BI picks for you, marked with a light bulb, to reach the highest or lowest value of the measure. Study card: AI visuals →
ALLEXCEPT
A DAX function that removes every filter from a table except the filters on the columns you list. Study card: The CALCULATE function →
alt text also: alternative text
A short text description of an object, set in the Format pane, that a screen reader reads so people who cannot see it get the point. Study card: Accessible reports →
Analytics pane also: Analytics tab, Analytics icon
The pane in Visualizations, opened with the Analytics icon, where you add reference lines, error bars, forecasts and anomaly detection to the selected visual. Study card: Reference lines, error bars, forecasting →
Analyze feature also: Analyze option, Analyze menu
The Analyze item in the right-click menu of a chart data point, where Power BI runs machine learning to explain a change or find where a distribution differs. Study card: Analyze feature (explain a change) →
Analyze in Excel
A Power BI service feature that gives you an Excel file connected live to a semantic model, so you can build PivotTables on its data. Study card: Configure access to semantic models →
anomaly detection also: anomalies, anomaly
A line chart feature in the Analytics pane that finds unexpected spikes and dips in time series data and can explain what is associated with them. Study card: Detect outliers and anomalies →
anti join also: anti joins, left anti join, left anti
A join kind that keeps only the rows of one table that found no match in the other table. Study card: Merge and append queries →
append also: append queries
A Power Query operation that stacks the rows of two or more tables into one, lining up columns by their header text. Study card: Merge and append queries →
audience also: audiences, audience group, audience groups
A group of people in a workspace app who see their own chosen set of the app's items. Study card: Configure and update an app →
Auto date/time
A Power BI setting that quietly creates a hidden date table for each date column in the model, instead of one shared date table. Study card: Common date table →
automatic page refresh also: APR, page refresh
A page setting that makes the visuals of the open report page query their DirectQuery source again, on a schedule or when data changes. Study card: Automatic page refresh →

B

base theme also: base themes
The built-in style layer every report starts from, such as Fluent 2, which a custom theme sits on top of. Study card: Apply and customize a theme →
bidirectional
A relationship set to filter in both directions, called Both in Power BI, so filters pass from the many side to the one side as well. Study card: Cardinality and cross filter →
binning also: bin, bins, bin size, bin groups
Putting the values of a numeric or date field into equal-sized ranges, called bins, so a visual shows meaningful chunks instead of raw values. Study card: Grouping, binning and clustering →
bookmark also: bookmarks, report bookmark, report bookmarks
A saved view of a report page that stores filters, slicers, sort order and object visibility so it can be restored with one selection. Study card: Configure bookmarks →
bookmark group also: bookmark groups
A named set of bookmarks, made with Group in the Bookmarks pane, that expands and collapses together and can be played on its own. Study card: Configure bookmarks →
bookmark navigator also: bookmark navigators
A built-in set of buttons, one per bookmark or bookmark group, where selecting a button applies that bookmark. Study card: Report navigation →
Build permission also: Build, Build permissions
A semantic model permission that lets a person build new reports and other content on the model, use Analyze in Excel and export underlying data. Study card: Configure access to semantic models →

C

CALCULATE
A DAX function that evaluates an expression after changing the filters in effect, using the filter arguments you pass after the expression. Study card: The CALCULATE function →
calculated column also: calculated columns
A column you add to an existing table with a DAX formula, which gives one stored value per row and is recalculated on refresh. Study card: Calculated columns and tables →
calculated table also: calculated tables
A new table in the model defined by a DAX expression that returns a table, stored with the model and recalculated on refresh. Study card: Calculated columns and tables →
calculation group also: calculation groups
A set of reusable DAX calculations, called calculation items, that you apply to any explicit measure instead of writing a separate measure for each. Study card: Calculation groups →
calculation item also: calculation items
One reusable formula inside a calculation group, such as prior year, that reshapes whichever measure a report pairs it with. Study card: Calculation groups →
CALENDARAUTO
A DAX function that returns a date table covering every date already in the model, and that grows after a refresh brings in a new year. Study card: Common date table →
canvas background
The color or image behind the visuals on a report page, set in the Format page options. Study card: Configuring the report page →
canvas settings also: canvas setting
The Format page options that set a report page's aspect ratio type, its size and its vertical alignment. Study card: Configuring the report page →
cardinality
The type of a relationship, describing whether the matching column in each table holds unique values or repeated ones: one-to-many, one-to-one or many-to-many. Study card: Cardinality and cross filter →
case sensitive also: case-sensitive, case sensitivity
Treating uppercase and lowercase letters as different, so Oslo and OSLO count as two separate values. Study card: Fix data quality issues →
cell level error also: cell-level error, cell level errors, cell-level errors
An error in individual cells only. Those cells show Error, while the rest of the table still loads. Study card: Resolve import errors →
certified also: certify, certification
An endorsement given by a reviewer the admin has authorized. It means the item meets the organization's quality standards and can be relied on. Study card: Promote or certify content →
change detection also: change detection measure
A page refresh type that polls one measure, such as a maximum timestamp, and refreshes the visuals only when the measure value changes. Study card: Automatic page refresh →
CLOSINGBALANCEMONTH
A DAX function that evaluates an expression at the last date of the month in the current context, giving a month end balance. Study card: Semi-additive measures →
clustering also: cluster, clusters, Automatically find clusters
A feature that analyzes similarities in your data and separates the points into groups, called clusters, saved as a new categorical field. Study card: Grouping, binning and clustering →
color scale also: color scales
A conditional formatting style that blends colors smoothly between the lowest and highest value, with an optional middle color. Study card: Conditional formatting →
column distribution
A Power Query profiling view that charts how often each value appears in a column and reports its distinct count and unique count. Study card: Data profiling →
column profile
A Power Query profiling view that adds a statistics panel for the selected column, such as minimum, maximum, average and null count. Study card: Data profiling →
column quality
A Power Query profiling view that shows what share of a column's values are Valid, Error, Empty, Unknown or Unexpected error. Study card: Data profiling →
combo chart also: combo charts
One visual that combines a column chart and a line chart on the same axis, with one or two Y axes. Study card: Selecting a visual type →
common date table also: common date tables
One shared date table that every time-based fact table in the model relates to, so every report filters and groups time in the same way. Study card: Common date table →
conditional formatting also: conditionally formatted
Formatting that changes automatically with the data, such as cell colors, data bars, icons or links in a table, matrix or chart. Study card: Conditional formatting →
contact list also: contact lists
A workspace setting that names the users or groups notified about issues in the workspace and shown to users as people to ask for help. Study card: Create and configure a workspace →
Copilot for Power BI also: Copilot
The generative AI assistant in Power BI that helps build reports, summarize them and answer questions about data from natural language prompts. Study card: Narrative visual with Copilot →
Copilot pane
The side pane in Power BI where you type prompts or choose suggestions so that Copilot builds, edits or summarizes report content. Study card: Create a report page with Copilot →
COUNTROWS
A DAX function that counts the rows of a table, rather than the values of a column. Study card: Single aggregation measures →
cross filter direction also: cross-filter direction, cross filter
The setting of a relationship that decides whether a filter travels from one table to the other only, or in both directions. Study card: Cardinality and cross filter →
cross-filtering also: cross-filter, cross-filters, cross-filtered
A selection in one visual removes the data that does not apply from another visual, so the target shows only the selected part. Study card: Edit visual interactions →
cross-highlighting also: cross-highlight, cross-highlights, cross-highlighted
A selection in one visual dims, but keeps, the part of another visual that does not apply, so the selected part stands out in context. Study card: Edit visual interactions →
cross-report drillthrough
Drillthrough from a report to a page in a different report in the same workspace. It works only in the Power BI service. Study card: Drillthrough navigation →
custom column also: custom columns
A new column you add in Power Query by writing a formula that refers to other columns by name, leaving those columns as they were. Study card: Create and transform columns →
custom function also: custom functions
A reusable piece of M code that takes input values, called arguments, and returns a result, so the same steps can run for many inputs. Study card: Query parameters →

D

dashboard also: dashboards
A single page in the Power BI service made of tiles. It gives an at-a-glance overview and links to the reports behind it. Study card: Create dashboards →
data alert also: data alerts, alert rule, alert rules
A rule on a dashboard tile that notifies you when its numeric value goes beyond a limit you set. Study card: Subscriptions and data alerts →
data bars also: data bar
Bars drawn inside table or matrix cells whose length matches the value, with an option to show the bar only. Study card: Conditional formatting →
data category
A column property that labels what kind of value the column holds, such as a web URL or a geographic place, so visuals know how to read it. Study card: Table and column properties →
data group also: data groups, group data, Edit groups
A category you build by combining two or more chosen values of a field, for example three products shown as one bar. Study card: Grouping, binning and clustering →
data labels also: data label
Values printed directly on a visual, such as the height of each column, that you can turn on and format. Study card: Formatting and configuring visuals →
data source credentials
The settings where you sign in to each data source of a semantic model so Power BI can refresh it. With a standard gateway, the gateway admin defines them instead. Study card: Configure scheduled refresh →
data type also: data types
The kind of value a column holds, such as text, date or number, which decides what you can do with it and how it converts when loaded. Study card: Column data types →
date table also: date tables
A table with exactly one row for each date in an unbroken range, which other tables relate to so their data can be filtered and grouped by time. Study card: Common date table →
DATEADD
A DAX time intelligence function that shifts the dates in the current selection by an interval you choose, such as back one month or one year. Study card: Time intelligence measures →
DATESYTD
A DAX time intelligence function that returns the dates from the start of the year up to the current date in context, for running totals. Study card: Time intelligence measures →
DAX also: Data Analysis Expressions
Data Analysis Expressions, the formula language of Power BI, used to write measures, calculated columns, calculated tables and queries. Study card: Calculated columns and tables →
DAX query also: DAX queries
A request, written in DAX, for a table of results from the model, which a visual sends to the model to get its data. Study card: Performance Analyzer →
DAX query view
A Power BI Desktop view in which you write, run and inspect DAX queries against the model, including the query a visual sent. Study card: Performance Analyzer →
decomposition tree also: decomposition trees
An AI visual that aggregates a measure and lets you drill into dimensions in any order, for ad hoc exploration and root-cause analysis. Study card: AI visuals →
delimiter also: delimiters
A character or short string that separates values inside text, such as a semicolon, a comma or a space. Study card: Create and transform columns →
denormalized
Kept flat in one wide table, with the same details, such as a product name, repeated on many rows. Study card: Fact and dimension tables →
dimension table also: dimension tables
A table that describes the things you report on, such as products, customers or dates, with a unique key for each row. Study card: Fact and dimension tables →
Direct Lake
A Microsoft Fabric storage mode that reads Delta tables from OneLake straight into the in-memory engine, without copying all the data on each refresh. Study card: Choose a storage mode →
DirectQuery
A storage mode that leaves the data at the source and sends a query to it every time a visual loads, so the numbers stay current. Study card: Choose a storage mode →
distinct count
The number of different values in a column, with a value that repeats counted once. Study card: Data profiling →
DISTINCTCOUNT
A DAX function that counts how many different values a column holds, counting each repeated value only once. Study card: Single aggregation measures →
downstream inheritance also: downstream label inheritance
Passing a label from a semantic model or report to existing content built from it, never over a manual label or a more restrictive one. Study card: Apply sensitivity labels →
drillthrough also: drill through
Navigation from a summary page to a detail page that is filtered to the item the reader selected, such as one customer or product. Study card: Drillthrough navigation →
Drillthrough filters also: drillthrough filter
The well on a drillthrough page that holds the fields whose selected values filter the page when a reader drills through. Study card: Drillthrough navigation →
drillthrough page also: drillthrough pages
A report page designed to show detail for one item, whose visuals respond to the field placed in its Drillthrough filters well. Study card: Drillthrough navigation →
duplicate query also: duplicate queries
A new query made with Duplicate: an independent copy of another query's steps that no longer follows changes to the original. Study card: Reference or duplicate queries →
dynamic RLS also: dynamic row-level security
Row-level security where one role filters rows by who is signed in, usually by matching USERPRINCIPALNAME() to a column of a user mapping table. Study card: Implement row-level security roles →

E

Edit interactions also: visual interactions
A mode, on the Format menu in Desktop, that adds Filter, Highlight and None icons to the other visuals so you can set how the selected visual affects them. Study card: Edit visual interactions →
endorsement also: endorse, endorsed
A badge on a Power BI or Fabric item that marks it as promoted or certified, so users can find trustworthy content more easily. Study card: Promote or certify content →
error bars also: error bar, error band
Marks on a chart that show the variability or uncertainty of each value, set from upper and lower bound fields or from a percentage. Study card: Reference lines, error bars, forecasting →
expected range
The band of normal values that anomaly detection calculates for a time series. A value outside this band is marked as an anomaly. Study card: Detect outliers and anomalies →
explain the increase also: explain the decrease, explain the increase or decrease, explain the increase/decrease
An Analyze option that compares a data point with the previous one and lists the categories whose contribution to the total changed most. Study card: Analyze feature (explain a change) →
explicit measure also: explicit measures
A named measure that is written as a DAX formula and stored in the model, as opposed to an aggregation chosen on a visual. Study card: Calculation groups →

F

fact table also: fact tables
A table that records what happened, such as orders or shipments, with dimension keys and the numeric columns you want to summarize. Study card: Fact and dimension tables →
field value format style also: field value formatting
A conditional formatting style that takes the color from a column or measure that returns color names or hex codes. Study card: Conditional formatting →
Fields pane
The pane in Power BI Desktop that lists the tables, columns and measures of the model, and from which you drag fields onto a visual. Study card: Quick measures →
filter context
The set of filters in effect at the moment a DAX expression is evaluated, coming from the report and from any CALCULATE arguments. Study card: The CALCULATE function →
Filters pane also: filter pane
The side pane where you add and manage filters at the visual, page and report level. Study card: Slicing and filtering →
find where distribution is different also: find where the distribution is different, distribution is different
An Analyze option that applies other columns as filters and shows which values make the chart's distribution differ most from the overall one. Study card: Analyze feature (explain a change) →
Fixed decimal number also: fixed decimal
A Power Query number type, also labeled Currency, that always keeps exactly four digits after the decimal point and stores the value precisely. Study card: Column data types →
fixed interval
A page refresh type in which every visual on the page sends an update query each time a set time, such as five minutes, has passed. Study card: Automatic page refresh →
floating point
A way of storing decimal numbers that is approximate, so repeated calculations can drift by a tiny fraction. Study card: Column data types →
forecast also: forecasts, forecasting, forecast length
A line chart feature that predicts future values from historical time data, with settings for forecast length and confidence interval. Study card: Reference lines, error bars, forecasting →
Format visual pane also: Format pane, formatting pane
The part of the Visualizations pane, opened with the paintbrush icon, where you change how the selected visual looks. Study card: Formatting and configuring visuals →
formula bar
The bar above the report canvas in Power BI Desktop where you write or read the DAX formula of a measure, calculated column or calculated table. Study card: Single aggregation measures →
Formula.Firewall
The error Power Query usually raises when a query combines data sources across privacy levels that do not allow it. Study card: Resolve import errors →

G

granularity also: grain
How much detail one row of a table stands for, from fine, such as one order line, to coarse, such as one month of a customer's orders. Study card: Reduce granularity →
group by
A Power Query command that collapses many rows into one row per group of matching values in the columns you choose. Study card: Group and aggregate rows →

H

horizontal filtering
Reducing a model's size by loading fewer rows, either only a recent time period or only one business entity. Study card: Reduce rows and columns →

I

implicit measure also: implicit measures
A column dragged straight onto a visual and summarized there, instead of a named measure written in the model. Study card: Calculation groups →
Import mode
A storage mode that loads a snapshot of the source data into the model's in-memory engine, so visuals are fast but only as fresh as the last refresh. Study card: Choose a storage mode →
inactive relationship also: inactive relationships
A relationship that exists in the model but passes no filters until a measure switches it on, shown as a dashed line in Model view. Study card: Role-playing dimensions →
index column also: index columns
A column that Power Query adds to number the rows with consecutive whole numbers, so every row gets a unique value. Study card: Keys for relationships →
intermediate query also: intermediate queries, helper query, helper queries
A query that exists only to feed another query, such as a helper used inside a merge or an append, so its own result is not needed in the model. Study card: Configure data loading for queries →
item permission also: item permissions, item-level permission, item-level permissions, item-level access
A permission, such as Read, Reshare or Build, that applies to one item only and is granted by sharing that item or by managing its permissions. Study card: Configure item-level access →

J

join kind also: join kinds
The setting in a merge that decides which rows come out: all rows of one side, only matches, only non-matches, or all rows of both. Study card: Merge and append queries →
JSON
JavaScript Object Notation, a text format that stores data as named fields and lists, common in web APIs and files. Study card: Semi-structured data to a table →
JSON Lines
A text file that holds one separate JSON object on each line. Study card: Semi-structured data to a table →

K

KEEPFILTERS
A DAX function used in CALCULATE that adds a filter without replacing an existing filter on the same column. Study card: The CALCULATE function →
key influencers visual also: key influencers, key influencer, key influencers visuals
An AI visual that ranks the factors that most affect a chosen metric and shows how much more likely or higher the outcome is for each factor. Study card: AI visuals →
KPI visual also: KPI, KPIs, KPI visuals
Key performance indicator visual: it shows a measure's current value against a target and how far ahead or behind it is. Study card: Selecting a visual type →

L

layer order
The stacking order of overlapping objects on a page, set by their order in the Selection pane list. Study card: Group and layer visuals →
left outer join also: left outer
A join kind that keeps every row of the left table and attaches the matching right row when there is one. Study card: Merge and append queries →
live connection also: live connections
A connection to an already published semantic model. Power BI Desktop reads the model's fields in real time and has no local model of its own to edit. Study card: Connect to data sources →
live tile also: live tiles, live page
A tile made by pinning an entire report page. It stays interactive on the dashboard and follows changes made to that report page. Study card: Create dashboards →
locale also: locales
The language and region setting that decides how text is read into a type, for example whether a date is month/day/year or day/month/year. Study card: Column data types →

M

Manage access
The workspace command where an Admin or Member adds people or groups to workspace roles and reviews who already has access. Study card: Assign workspace roles →
Manage permissions page also: Manage permissions
The page of a semantic model, open to workspace Admins and Members, that lists links, direct access and access through related items, and lets you change them. Study card: Configure access to semantic models →
measure also: measures
A named DAX calculation stored in the model that Power BI evaluates for whatever filters a visual applies, instead of storing a value. Study card: Single aggregation measures →
median
The middle value of a set of numbers, with half of the values below it and half above it. Study card: Basic statistical functions →
MEDIANX
A DAX function that works out an expression for each row of a table first, then returns the middle value of those results. Study card: Basic statistical functions →
merge also: merge queries
A Power Query operation that joins two tables side by side by matching one or more columns, using a chosen join kind. Study card: Merge and append queries →
Microsoft 365 group also: Microsoft 365 groups
A group created for collaboration in Microsoft 365. It works in workspace roles but cannot be added to an RLS role. Study card: Configure RLS group membership →
Microsoft Purview Information Protection also: Purview Information Protection
The Microsoft service where your organization defines sensitivity labels and their protection settings, such as encryption, which Power BI then uses. Study card: Apply sensitivity labels →
mobile layout also: mobile layout view, mobile-optimized, mobile-optimized layout, mobile-optimized report
A phone-friendly arrangement of a report page's visuals, authored in mobile layout view and shown in the Power BI mobile apps in portrait. Study card: Mobile layout →
model summary also: summarize the model, summary of the model
The Copilot response to the prompt 'summarize the model', which helps you understand the data in a semantic model and spot important insights. Study card: Copilot summary of the model →

N

narrative visual also: narrative visuals, Copilot narrative
A visual that holds a written summary of the report, pages or visuals you select, which Copilot generates and which you adjust with prompts. Study card: Narrative visual with Copilot →
natural key also: natural keys
A column whose values already identify each row uniquely in the real data, such as an order number, so no key has to be invented. Study card: Keys for relationships →
nested table also: nested tables, nested table value, nested table values
A whole table stored as the value of a single cell, for example the rows of a group kept by All rows or the matches a merge brings in. Study card: Group and aggregate rows →
nonscalar value also: nonscalar, nonscalar values
A value that holds structure, such as a record, list or table, instead of one plain value such as a number or a piece of text. Study card: Resolve import errors →
normalized
Split into separate tables so that each detail is stored once instead of being repeated on every row. Study card: Fact and dimension tables →
null also: nulls, null value, null values
A marker for a missing value in a cell. It is not the number zero and it is not empty text. Study card: Fix data quality issues →

O

on-premises data gateway also: data gateway, standard mode gateway, gateway, gateways
Locally installed Windows software that lets the Power BI service query or refresh data it cannot reach directly, using outbound connections only. Study card: When a gateway is required →
OneDrive refresh
The automatic check, about once an hour, that syncs a semantic model with its source file on OneDrive or SharePoint. It does not query the file's own data sources. Study card: Publish, import or update items →
OneLake
The single shared data lake of a Microsoft Fabric organization, where Fabric items keep their data as Delta tables. Study card: Choose a storage mode →
OPENINGBALANCEMONTH
A DAX function that evaluates an expression at the first date of the month in the current context, giving the balance at the start of the month. Study card: Semi-additive measures →
order line also: order lines
One line item of a sales order, a single product at a quantity, which is often the finest grain of a sales fact table. Study card: Reduce granularity →
organizational theme also: organizational themes
A custom report theme that a tenant admin makes available in the Themes gallery for everyone in the organization. Study card: Apply and customize a theme →
outlier also: outliers
A data point that differs significantly from the others, or from what you expect based on historical averages, and is worth investigating. Study card: Detect outliers and anomalies →

P

page navigator also: page navigators
A built-in set of buttons, one per report page, that updates its labels, order and selected button automatically as pages change. Study card: Report navigation →
page view
A View setting that controls how the report page is scaled in the browser window: fit to page, fit to width or actual size. Study card: Configuring the report page →
Page visuals pane
The pane in mobile layout view that lists every visual of the standard page, shown or hidden, so you can drag them onto the phone canvas. Study card: Mobile layout →
page-level filter also: page level filter, filters on this page
A filter that applies to every visual on one report page. Study card: Slicing and filtering →
paginated report also: paginated reports
A report laid out for printing and PDF, where long tables continue across as many pages as needed and every page layout is exact. Study card: When to use paginated reports →
parallel loading also: parallel loading of tables
A file-level Power Query option that sets how many queries may load at the same time while the model refreshes. Study card: Configure data loading for queries →
parameter also: parameters
A named value, such as a date or a number, that queries and functions can reference, so you change it once instead of editing every step. Study card: Query parameters →
Performance Analyzer
A Power BI Desktop tool on the Optimize ribbon that records how long each visual on a page takes to load and where that time goes. Study card: Performance Analyzer →
personal bookmark also: personal bookmarks
A bookmark that a report reader creates in the Power BI service to save their own view of a report, visible only to them. Study card: Personalize visuals →
personal gateway also: personal mode gateway, personal mode
The gateway mode for one Power BI user. It refreshes Import semantic models only and cannot be shared, clustered or used for DirectQuery. Study card: When a gateway is required →
personalize visuals also: personalize visual, personalize this visual, personalized visual, personalized visuals
A report setting that lets readers change a visual's type, fields, legend or aggregation in Reading view without edit permission. Study card: Personalize visuals →
perspective also: perspectives
A named subset of a model's tables, columns and measures that gives users a smaller field list, and that is not a security feature. Study card: Personalize visuals →
pivot also: pivot column
To turn the unique values of one column into separate new columns, filling each cell with an aggregate of a value column. Study card: Pivot, unpivot and transpose →
Power BI Report Builder also: Report Builder
The standalone tool for designing paginated reports and publishing them to the Power BI service. Study card: When to use paginated reports →
Power Query
Microsoft's tool, built into Power BI and Excel, for connecting to data sources and for cleaning and reshaping the data before it is loaded. Study card: Connect to data sources →
Power Query M also: M language, M code
The formula language behind Power Query. Every step is stored as M code, and a custom column is written in it. Study card: Create and transform columns →
Prep data for AI also: prepare your data for AI, prepare data for AI
A Power BI feature for model authors that adds AI data schemas, verified answers and AI instructions to a semantic model so Copilot answers more reliably. Study card: Copilot summary of the model →
privacy level also: privacy levels
The isolation setting of a data source, from None through Private, Organizational and Public, that limits which sources Power Query may combine. Study card: Data source settings →
prompt also: prompts
A plain-language instruction you give Copilot, such as a description of the report page you want. Study card: Create a report page with Copilot →
Publish to web
A feature that makes a report viewable by anyone on the internet without signing in, including the detail data of its model. Study card: Choose a distribution method →

Q

Q&A visual also: Q&A visuals
A visual with a question box where users type a question in natural language and Power BI answers it with a visual built from the data. Study card: AI visuals →
query folding also: folding
Power Query turning your query steps into one query in the source's own language, such as SQL, so the source does the work instead of Power Query. Study card: Data source settings →
quick measure also: quick measures
A ready-made calculation you pick from a dialog box, from which Power BI writes the DAX measure for you. Study card: Quick measures →

R

RANKX
A DAX function that returns where a value ranks among the results of an expression evaluated over every row of a table. Study card: Basic statistical functions →
RDL also: Report Definition Language
Report Definition Language, the file format of paginated reports, also used by SQL Server Reporting Services. Study card: When to use paginated reports →
record value also: record values
A value that holds a set of named fields, such as a first name and a last name, which you can expand into columns. Study card: Semi-structured data to a table →
reference line also: reference lines, dynamic reference line, dynamic reference lines, constant line
A line added to a visual at a fixed value or at a statistic of a measure, such as its average or median, to give a benchmark for comparison. Study card: Reference lines, error bars, forecasting →
reference query also: referenced query, reference queries, referenced queries, referencing query
A new query made with Reference. It is built on top of another query's steps instead of a copy, so changes to the original flow into it. Study card: Reference or duplicate queries →
refresh history
The list of refresh attempts for a semantic model, with status, start time, duration and error message, used to diagnose failures. Study card: Configure scheduled refresh →
relationship also: relationships
A link between a column in one table and a column in another table, which lets a filter on one table reach the other. Study card: Cardinality and cross filter →
REMOVEFILTERS
A DAX function used as a CALCULATE filter argument that clears the filters on a column or table instead of adding new ones. Study card: The CALCULATE function →
report outline also: report outlines
The list of suggested pages Copilot returns, with what each page covers and the visuals planned for it. Study card: Copilot suggested report content →
report page tooltip also: report page tooltips, report tooltip, report tooltips
A report page, built with the Tooltip page size, that appears instead of the default hover card and shows visuals filtered to the hovered data point. Study card: Custom report page tooltips →
report theme also: report themes, custom theme, custom themes
A set of default colors, fonts and visual formatting applied to every visual in a report, often saved as a JSON file. Study card: Apply and customize a theme →
report-level filter also: report level filter, filters on all pages
A filter that applies to every visual on every page of the report. Study card: Slicing and filtering →
Reshare permission also: Reshare, reshare permissions
A permission that lets a recipient share the item with other people. Study card: Configure item-level access →
RLS role also: RLS roles, security role, security roles
A named set of DAX filter expressions on the tables of a semantic model that decides which rows its members can see. Study card: Implement row-level security roles →
role-playing dimension also: role-playing dimensions
A single dimension table that relates to the same fact table through more than one column, so it plays a different role for each, such as assignee and reviewer. Study card: Role-playing dimensions →
row context
The current row a DAX formula is evaluated for, so a calculated column can read the values of that row's own columns. Study card: Writing calculated tables, columns →
row-level security also: RLS, row level security
A Power BI feature that limits which rows of a semantic model each person can see, by using filters that you define in roles. Study card: Implement row-level security roles →
RUNNINGSUM
A visual calculation function that adds the current value to all earlier values along an axis, giving a running total. Study card: Visual calculations →

S

SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
A DAX time intelligence function that shifts the current date selection back exactly one year, for year over year comparisons. Study card: Time intelligence measures →
scheduled refresh also: refresh schedule
A schedule that makes the Power BI service reload an Import semantic model from its data sources at the days and times you choose. Study card: Configure scheduled refresh →
screen reader also: screen readers
Assistive software that reads a page aloud, including titles, visual types and alt text, for people who cannot see the screen. Study card: Accessible reports →
security group also: security groups, Microsoft Entra security group, Microsoft Entra security groups
A Microsoft Entra group that gives the same access to all its members, so you manage people through the group instead of one by one. Study card: Configure RLS group membership →
SELECTEDMEASURE
A DAX function used in a calculation item that stands in for whichever measure the report is currently showing. Study card: Calculation groups →
Selection pane
The pane, opened from the View tab, that lists every object on the page and lets you hide, group, rename and reorder them. Study card: Group and layer visuals →
semantic model also: semantic models
The data model that Power BI reports are built on: its tables, relationships and calculations, which can be published to the service and refreshed. Study card: Writing calculated tables, columns →
semantic model impact analysis also: impact analysis
A check shown when you republish a semantic model. It tells you how many workspaces, reports and dashboards the change might affect. Study card: Publish, import or update items →
semi-additive measure also: semi-additive measures, semi-additive
A measure, such as a stock level or an account balance, that can be summed across some dimensions such as product, but not across time. Study card: Semi-additive measures →
semi-structured data also: semi-structured
Data such as JSON or XML where each record carries its own named fields and can differ in shape, instead of following a fixed table. Study card: Semi-structured data to a table →
sensitivity label also: sensitivity labels, sensitivity labeling
A tag, such as General or Confidential, that classifies content and can add protection to files when data is exported. Study card: Apply sensitivity labels →
slicer also: slicers
A filter control placed on the report canvas that readers click to narrow what other visuals show, with the current selection in view. Study card: Slicing and filtering →
slicer group also: slicer group name
The name you type in Advanced options of two or more separate slicers so that they share field changes, filter changes, or both. Study card: Sync slicers →
smart narrative also: smart narratives
A narrative visual in Custom mode that writes a text summary of a page or visual and updates it as readers cross-filter. Study card: AI visuals →
sort axis
A command in a visual's More options menu that chooses which field orders the category axis, for example a month number for month names. Study card: Sort visuals →
Sort by Column
A column property that makes one column display in the order of another column's values, such as month names sorted by a month number. Study card: Table and column properties →
sort priority
The order in which several sorted columns apply: the first column selected sorts first and each later column orders rows that tie on the earlier ones. Study card: Sort visuals →
star schema also: star schemas
A model layout with fact tables in the center and dimension tables around them, each linked to a fact table by a key column. Study card: Fact and dimension tables →
STDEV.P
A DAX function that returns the standard deviation of a column, a measure of spread, treating the values as the entire population. Study card: Basic statistical functions →
STDEV.S
A DAX function that returns the standard deviation of a column, a measure of spread, treating the values as a sample of a larger population. Study card: Basic statistical functions →
step level error also: step-level error, step level errors, step-level errors
An error in one query step that stops the whole query from loading and comes with an error reason, message and detail. Study card: Resolve import errors →
storage mode also: storage modes
The setting that decides where a table's data lives and when it is read: a copy in memory, queried at the source, or read from OneLake. Study card: Choose a storage mode →
style preset also: style presets
A ready-made group of formatting options for a table, matrix or other visual that you apply with one selection. Study card: Formatting and configuring visuals →
subscription also: subscriptions, email subscription, email subscriptions
A schedule that emails a snapshot of a report page or dashboard, with a link to open it, to the people you choose. Study card: Subscriptions and data alerts →
Suggest content also: Suggest content for this report
A Copilot pane option that evaluates your data and proposes pages and visuals for a new report. Study card: Copilot suggested report content →
Summarize by
A column property that sets the default aggregation a visual applies to a numeric column, such as sum or average, or turns default aggregation off. Study card: Table and column properties →
summarized data export also: export summarized data, summarized export
An export of what the visual shows: its own columns and measures, with its filters and aggregation applied. Study card: Configure export settings →
surrogate key also: surrogate keys
A key you create only to identify rows, with no business meaning of its own, such as an index column that numbers each row. Study card: Keys for relationships →
sync slicers also: synced slicer, synced slicers, syncing slicers, Sync slicers pane
A feature that applies a slicer's selection on other report pages, or links separate slicers, managed in the Sync slicers pane. Study card: Sync slicers →

T

tab order
The sequence in which the keyboard Tab key moves through the objects on a page, set in the Selection pane. Study card: Accessible reports →
Table.Buffer
An M function that keeps a table in memory for the length of one query execution, so it is not read from the source again during that run. Study card: Reference or duplicate queries →
Test as role also: View as role, Now viewing as
A Power BI service feature that previews a report as the members of a row-level security role would see it, to check that the filters work. Study card: Configure RLS group membership →
theme color also: theme colors, data colors
A color defined by the report theme, so that visuals using it change automatically when the theme changes. Study card: Apply and customize a theme →
tile also: tiles
One block on a dashboard, usually a visual pinned from a report, but it can also be an image, text box, video or web content. Study card: Create dashboards →
time intelligence also: time intelligence function, time intelligence functions
A group of DAX functions that work with dates, shifting or accumulating them so a measure can show a prior period, a running total or a year-to-date value. Study card: Time intelligence measures →
Tooltip fields
The field well in the Visualizations pane where you drop the fields that make a tooltip page appear on any visual that contains them. Study card: Custom report page tooltips →
total labels also: total label
Labels that show the combined value of a whole stack or series, available for stacked, combo and area charts. Study card: Formatting and configuring visuals →
TOTALYTD
A DAX function that returns a year-to-date running total of an expression, combining CALCULATE and DATESYTD in one call. Study card: Time intelligence measures →
transpose
To rotate a table so that its rows become columns and its columns become rows. Study card: Pivot, unpivot and transpose →
treemap also: treemaps
A visual that shows hierarchical data as nested rectangles, where the size of each rectangle stands for its value. Study card: Selecting a visual type →

U

underlying data export also: export underlying data, underlying export
An export of unaggregated rows from the model behind the visual, which can include fields the visual does not use. Study card: Configure export settings →
UNION
A DAX function that returns a table made of all the rows of two or more tables stacked together. Study card: Writing calculated tables, columns →
unique count
The number of values that occur exactly once in a column, which leaves out every value that repeats. Study card: Data profiling →
unpivot also: unpivot columns
To fold several columns into two, one for the old column names and one for their values, which turns a wide table into a long one. Study card: Pivot, unpivot and transpose →
USERELATIONSHIP
A DAX function used inside CALCULATE that switches on a named inactive relationship, only for the duration of that one calculation. Study card: Role-playing dimensions →
USERPRINCIPALNAME also: UPN, user principal name
A DAX function that returns the signed-in user's user principal name (UPN), which looks like an email address, such as [email protected]. Study card: Implement row-level security roles →

V

Values well
The area in a visual's settings that holds the field being summarized, such as the numbers a chart adds up. Study card: Quick measures →
vertical filtering
Reducing a model's size by removing columns that no visual, relationship, calculation or security role needs. Study card: Reduce rows and columns →
visual calculation also: visual calculations
A DAX calculation defined on one visual, not in the semantic model, that can refer only to the fields, measures and calculations on that visual. Study card: Visual calculations →
visual group also: visual groups, group of visuals, groups of visuals
Several visuals, buttons, shapes or images joined with Group so that you can move, resize and hide them as a single object. Study card: Group and layer visuals →
visual matrix
The grid of rows and columns behind a visual that a visual calculation reads and fills in, shown in the visual calculations editor. Study card: Visual calculations →
visual-level filter also: visual level filter, filters on this visual
A filter that applies to one visual only. Every field in a visual is already an automatic filter at this level. Study card: Slicing and filtering →
VNet data gateway also: VNet gateway, virtual network data gateway
A Microsoft-managed gateway that connects Power BI to data sources secured in a virtual network, with no local installation. Study card: When a gateway is required →

W

wallpaper
The color around the report page canvas, which you format separately from the page background. Study card: Configuring the report page →
waterfall chart also: waterfall charts
A chart that shows a running total as positive and negative changes are added to a starting value. Study card: Selecting a visual type →
workspace also: workspaces
A shared area in the Power BI service where a team creates and keeps reports, dashboards, semantic models and other items. Study card: Create and configure a workspace →
workspace app also: workspace apps
A packaged collection of dashboards, reports and other content, published from one workspace to a wider group of people. Study card: Configure and update an app →
workspace OneDrive
A workspace setting that links a Microsoft 365 group, so the group's shared file library is available to the workspace users. Study card: Create and configure a workspace →
workspace role also: workspace roles, role in a workspace
One of Admin, Member, Contributor or Viewer, given to a person or group, that sets what they can do with all items in one workspace. Study card: Assign workspace roles →

X

XML
Extensible Markup Language, a text format that nests data inside named tags. Study card: Semi-structured data to a table →
Study guide Study cards Practice questions