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Power BIbi_tool~10 mins

RELATED for cross-table values in Power BI - Cell-by-Cell Formula Trace

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Sample Data

Sales table records quantities sold by ProductID. Products table lists ProductID and ProductName.

CellValue
Sales[ProductID]101
Sales[Quantity]5
Sales[ProductID]102
Sales[Quantity]3
Products[ProductID]101
Products[ProductName]Pen
Products[ProductID]102
Products[ProductName]Notebook
Formula Trace
RELATED(Products[ProductName])
Step 1: RELATED(Products[ProductName]) for Sales[ProductID] = 101
Step 2: RELATED(Products[ProductName]) for Sales[ProductID] = 102
Cell Reference Map
Sales Table       Products Table
+------------+   +------------+------------+
| ProductID  |   | ProductID  | ProductName |
| 101        |   | 101        | Pen        |
| 102        |   | 102        | Notebook   |
+------------+   +------------+------------+
      |                     |
      +--------RELATED-------+
RELATED uses Sales[ProductID] to look up Products[ProductID] and fetch Products[ProductName].
Result
+------------+----------+--------------+
| ProductID  | Quantity | ProductName  |
+------------+----------+--------------+
| 101        | 5        | Pen          |
| 102        | 3        | Notebook     |
+------------+----------+--------------+
The Sales table now shows ProductName from the related Products table using RELATED function.
Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions
Test your understanding
What does RELATED(Products[ProductName]) return for Sales[ProductID] = 101?
APen
BNotebook
C101
D5
Key Result
RELATED(column) fetches a value from a related table using the current row's key.

Practice

(1/5)
1. What does the RELATED function do in Power BI?
easy
A. It creates a new relationship between two tables.
B. It fetches a value from a related table based on existing relationships.
C. It deletes rows from a related table.
D. It aggregates data within the same table.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of RELATED

    The RELATED function is designed to retrieve a value from another table that is connected through a relationship in the data model.

  2. Step 2: Differentiate from other functions

    RELATED does not create relationships or delete data; it only fetches values from an existing related table.

  3. Final Answer:

    It fetches a value from a related table based on existing relationships. -> Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    RELATED fetches related values = A [OK]
Hint: RELATED pulls data from linked tables only [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking RELATED creates relationships
  • Assuming RELATED works without a relationship
  • Confusing RELATED with aggregation functions
2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to use RELATED in a calculated column to get the 'CategoryName' from a related 'Product Categories' table?
easy
A. RELATED('Product Categories'[CategoryName])
B. RELATED(Product Categories[CategoryName])
C. RELATED Product Categories[CategoryName]
D. RELATED[Product Categories.CategoryName]

Solution

  1. Step 1: Recall correct RELATED syntax

    The RELATED function requires the table name in single quotes if it contains spaces or special characters, followed by the column name in square brackets.

  2. Step 2: Check each option

    RELATED('Product Categories'[CategoryName]) uses the correct syntax. Without quotes around the table name with space it fails, missing parentheses fails, and bracket notation is invalid.

  3. Final Answer:

    RELATED('Product Categories'[CategoryName]) -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    RELATED syntax with quotes = B [OK]
Hint: Use single quotes around table names with spaces [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Omitting quotes around table names
  • Using dot notation inside RELATED
  • Missing parentheses after RELATED
3. Given two tables: Orders with columns OrderID, ProductID, and Quantity, and Products with columns ProductID and Price. There is a relationship between Orders[ProductID] and Products[ProductID]. What will the following calculated column in Orders return?
OrderValue = Orders[Quantity] * RELATED(Products[Price])
medium
A. The total price for each order line by multiplying quantity with product price.
B. The sum of all product prices in the Products table.
C. The quantity multiplied by the total number of products.
D. An error because RELATED cannot be used in calculated columns.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the relationship and calculation

    RELATED fetches the price of the product for each order line by matching ProductID. Multiplying by Quantity gives the total value for that order line.

  2. Step 2: Trace the calculation

    The formula computes the total price for each order line row-by-row by multiplying Quantity with the RELATED product Price. It does not aggregate or error out.

  3. Final Answer:

    The total price for each order line by multiplying quantity with product price. -> Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Quantity * RELATED(Price) = line total = C [OK]
Hint: RELATED pulls matching row value for each row [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Thinking RELATED aggregates values
  • Assuming RELATED cannot be used in calculated columns
  • Confusing multiplication with aggregation
4. You wrote this calculated column in the Sales table:
ProductCategory = RELATED(Product[Category])

But you get an error saying "The column 'Category' either doesn't exist or is not related." What is the most likely cause?
medium
A. The Sales table has duplicate rows causing RELATED to fail.
B. The RELATED function cannot be used in calculated columns.
C. There is no relationship between Sales and Product tables on the relevant keys.
D. The column name 'Category' is misspelled in the Product table.

Solution

  1. Step 1: Analyze the error message

    The error indicates that RELATED cannot find a related row, usually because the tables are not connected by a relationship.

  2. Step 2: Check other possibilities

    RELATED can be used in calculated columns. Misspelling would cause a different error, and duplicates don't cause this error.

  3. Final Answer:

    There is no relationship between Sales and Product tables on the relevant keys. -> Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    RELATED needs relationships = D [OK]
Hint: Check relationships if RELATED gives column not found error [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Assuming RELATED works without relationships
  • Ignoring spelling errors in column names
  • Blaming data duplicates for RELATED errors
5. You have three tables: Sales (with ProductID and Quantity), Products (with ProductID, CategoryID, and CategoryName), and Categories (with CategoryID and CategoryName).

You want to create a calculated column in Sales that shows the CategoryName for each sale. Which DAX formula correctly uses RELATED to get this value?
hard
A. RELATED(Categories[CategoryName])
B. RELATED(RELATED(Categories[CategoryName]))
C. RELATED(Products[CategoryID]) & RELATED(Categories[CategoryName])
D. RELATED(Products[CategoryName])

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the relationships

    Sales is related to Products by ProductID, and Products is related to Categories by CategoryID. Products contains CategoryName (likely via its own RELATED to Categories).

  2. Step 2: Use RELATED with the correct direct relationship

    RELATED(Products[CategoryName]) fetches from the directly related Products table.

  3. Step 3: Rule out others

    A targets an indirectly related table, C uses invalid concatenation on unrelated data, D has invalid syntax.

  4. Final Answer:

    RELATED(Products[CategoryName]) -> Option D

  5. Quick Check:

    RELATED fetches from directly related table = B [OK]
Hint: RELATED only fetches from directly related tables [OK]
Common Mistakes:
  • Trying to chain RELATED calls
  • Using RELATED on unrelated tables
  • Assuming RELATED can fetch through multiple tables automatically
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