Active vs inactive relationships in Power BI - Compared

Introduction

In Power BI, relationships connect tables to work together in reports. Active relationships are used by default in calculations. Inactive relationships exist but do not affect calculations unless you tell Power BI to use them. This helps when you have multiple ways tables relate.

When you have two tables connected by more than one column and want to choose which connection to use in calculations.

When you want to compare sales by order date and ship date using the same tables.

When you want to keep a relationship for filtering but not use it automatically in all visuals.

When you want to create a measure that uses a different relationship than the default one.

When you want to avoid confusion from multiple active relationships causing ambiguous results.

Steps

Step 1: Open

- Model view in Power BI Desktop

You see all tables and their relationships as lines connecting them.

Step 2: Click

- Relationship line between two tables

The relationship properties pane opens on the right side.

Step 3: Look at

- Relationship properties pane

You see a checkbox labeled 'Make this relationship active'.

Step 4: Check or uncheck

- 'Make this relationship active' checkbox

The relationship becomes active (checked) or inactive (unchecked). The line style changes: solid for active, dashed for inactive.

💡 Only one active relationship can exist between two tables at a time.

Step 5: Create a measure using DAX

- Modeling tab > New measure

You can use USERELATIONSHIP() function in the measure to activate an inactive relationship temporarily.

Step 6: Write DAX formula

- Formula bar

The measure calculates using the inactive relationship only when USERELATIONSHIP() is used.

Before vs After

Before

Two tables have two relationships: one active (solid line) and one inactive (dashed line). Visuals use only the active relationship by default.

After

After creating a measure with USERELATIONSHIP(), the measure uses the inactive relationship for its calculation while other visuals still use the active one.

Settings Reference

Make this relationship active

📍 Relationship properties pane in Model view

Controls whether the relationship is used by default in calculations and filtering.

Default: Checked for one relationship between tables, unchecked for others

USERELATIONSHIP() function

📍 DAX formula bar when creating measures

Temporarily activates an inactive relationship for a specific calculation.

Default: Not used unless specified

Common Mistakes

Trying to have two active relationships between the same tables on different columns.

Power BI allows only one active relationship between two tables at a time, causing errors or unexpected results.

Keep one relationship active and set others inactive. Use USERELATIONSHIP() in measures to use inactive ones.

Not using USERELATIONSHIP() when expecting an inactive relationship to affect calculations.

Inactive relationships do not affect calculations unless explicitly activated in DAX.

Use USERELATIONSHIP() inside CALCULATE() to activate the inactive relationship for that measure.

Summary

Active relationships are used by default in Power BI calculations and filtering.

Inactive relationships exist but do not affect calculations unless activated by DAX.

Use USERELATIONSHIP() in measures to temporarily activate inactive relationships.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between an active and an inactive relationship in Power BI?

easy

A. Active relationships are used automatically in calculations, inactive require USERELATIONSHIP()

B. Inactive relationships are used automatically, active require USERELATIONSHIP()

C. Both active and inactive relationships work automatically without extra functions

D. Inactive relationships cannot be used in any calculations

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand active relationships

   Active relationships are automatically applied in calculations and visuals without extra effort.

2. Step 2: Understand inactive relationships

   Inactive relationships do not apply automatically; you must use USERELATIONSHIP() in DAX to activate them temporarily.

3. Final Answer:

   Active relationships are used automatically in calculations, inactive require USERELATIONSHIP() -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Active = automatic, inactive = USERELATIONSHIP() [OK]

Hint: Active works by default; inactive needs USERELATIONSHIP() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking inactive relationships work automatically
• Confusing USERELATIONSHIP() usage
• Believing inactive relationships cannot be used

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to activate an inactive relationship in a measure?

easy

A. CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date]))

B. CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), ACTIVERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date]))

C. SUM(Sales[Amount]) + USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date])

D. CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), RELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date]))

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall USERELATIONSHIP() usage

   USERELATIONSHIP() is used inside CALCULATE() to activate an inactive relationship temporarily.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date])) uses CALCULATE with USERELATIONSHIP and correct column references, matching the correct syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date])) -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   USERELATIONSHIP inside CALCULATE is correct syntax [OK]

Hint: USERELATIONSHIP() must be inside CALCULATE() [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using ACTIVERELATIONSHIP() which does not exist
• Adding USERELATIONSHIP() outside CALCULATE()
• Using RELATIONSHIP() instead of USERELATIONSHIP()

3. Given the following measure:

Sales Amount by Order Date = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[OrderDate], Calendar[Date]))

What will this measure calculate if the active relationship is between Sales[ShipDate] and Calendar[Date]?

medium

A. Sum of Sales Amount filtered by ShipDate

B. Sum of Sales Amount ignoring any date filter

C. Sum of Sales Amount filtered by OrderDate using inactive relationship

D. Error because USERELATIONSHIP cannot be used with OrderDate

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify active and inactive relationships

   The active relationship is Sales[ShipDate] to Calendar[Date]. The relationship Sales[OrderDate] to Calendar[Date] is inactive.

2. Step 2: Understand USERELATIONSHIP effect

   Using USERELATIONSHIP activates the inactive relationship on OrderDate temporarily for this measure.

3. Final Answer:

   Sum of Sales Amount filtered by OrderDate using inactive relationship -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   USERELATIONSHIP activates inactive relationship [OK]

Hint: USERELATIONSHIP switches to inactive relationship filter [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming measure uses active ShipDate filter
• Thinking USERELATIONSHIP causes error
• Ignoring inactive relationship usage

4. You wrote this measure:

Total Sales = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[Date], Calendar[Date]))

But it returns the same result as SUM(Sales[Amount]). What is the most likely problem?

medium

A. CALCULATE cannot be used with USERELATIONSHIP

B. The relationship between Sales[Date] and Calendar[Date] is already active

C. The Sales[Date] column does not exist in the table

D. USERELATIONSHIP() is misspelled and causes a syntax error

Solution

1. Step 1: Check relationship status

   If the relationship between Sales[Date] and Calendar[Date] is active, USERELATIONSHIP() has no effect because the active relationship is already used.

2. Step 2: Understand measure behavior

   The measure behaves like SUM(Sales[Amount]) filtered by the active relationship, so results match.

3. Final Answer:

   The relationship between Sales[Date] and Calendar[Date] is already active -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   USERELATIONSHIP only affects inactive relationships [OK]

Hint: USERELATIONSHIP only changes inactive relationships [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming USERELATIONSHIP causes syntax error
• Thinking CALCULATE cannot use USERELATIONSHIP
• Ignoring relationship status

5. You have two date columns in Sales: OrderDate and ShipDate. The active relationship is between ShipDate and Calendar[Date]. You want a report showing total sales by OrderDate without changing the active relationship. Which approach is best?

hard

A. Create a new Calendar table for OrderDate and link it actively

B. Change the active relationship to OrderDate and remove ShipDate relationship

C. Use the active relationship and ignore OrderDate column

D. Create a measure using CALCULATE with USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[OrderDate], Calendar[Date])

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand relationship setup

   ShipDate is active; OrderDate relationship is inactive to Calendar[Date]. Changing active relationship affects all reports.

2. Step 2: Use USERELATIONSHIP in measure

   Using CALCULATE with USERELATIONSHIP activates the inactive OrderDate relationship temporarily without changing model.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Changing active relationship or creating new Calendar table is more complex and less flexible.

4. Final Answer:

   Create a measure using CALCULATE with USERELATIONSHIP(Sales[OrderDate], Calendar[Date]) -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   USERELATIONSHIP enables alternate date filtering [OK]

Hint: Use USERELATIONSHIP to activate alternate date without model changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Switching active relationship instead of using USERELATIONSHIP
• Ignoring inactive relationship usage
• Creating unnecessary new tables