We're sorry but this app doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please enable it to continue.

This lesson's interactive features are locked, please to keep using them

Calculated Columns vs. Measures

Iterators are a type of aggregator, so you almost always want to use them in a measure rather than a calculated column.

It's tempting to use an iterator in a calculated column because the math is done row-by-row initially, but it still needs to properly aggregate at the end, so it should be a measure.

Here's a table showing the difference between a calculated column and a measure using the SUMX iterator:

Measure responds to slicers, filters, and drilldowns. The column never changes.

So, just like aggregations, iterators belong on measures!