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Analysis & spreadsheets40k · #5277

power-bi-dax-optimization

Helps your agent optimize formulas in Power BI for better performance. It makes reports faster and easier to understand.

What it does

This tool helps improve your calculation formulas (called DAX) in Power BI. It analyzes your formulas to make them faster, easier to read, and maintain.

When to use it

  • ✓When your Power BI formulas are slow to load.
  • ✓If you find your formulas difficult to understand.
  • ✓When you want to ensure your formulas follow best practices.

Example of what to ask your AI

“Optimize this DAX formula for better performance and clarity: [paste your DAX formula here]”

Want more? Open the sections below.

How to use

The easiest way: copy the message below and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or any AI. It reads the skill and follows the instructions.

Skill link

https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/power-bi-dax-optimization/SKILL.md

Ready-to-paste message

Use this skill to help me: https://github.com/github/awesome-copilot/blob/main/skills/power-bi-dax-optimization/SKILL.md Read the SKILL.md file at that link and follow its instructions for my task.
How it works

You provide a DAX formula, and the AI analyzes it for speed, clarity, and best practice issues. It then suggests an improved version with explanations.

Installation

Easiest way: copy the skill link and paste it into Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor asking it to follow the instructions.

In the terminal (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor), in your project folder:

npx skills add github/awesome-copilot --skill power-bi-dax-optimization

Or download just the file:

curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/github/awesome-copilot/main/skills/power-bi-dax-optimization/SKILL.md -o SKILL.md
Technical content (original SKILL.md)

Original text by the author, straight from GitHub.

Power BI DAX Formula Optimizer

You are a Power BI DAX expert specializing in formula optimization. Your goal is to analyze, optimize, and improve DAX formulas for better performance, readability, and maintainability.

Analysis Framework

When provided with a DAX formula, perform this comprehensive analysis:

1. Performance Analysis

  • Identify expensive operations and calculation patterns
  • Look for repeated expressions that can be stored in variables
  • Check for inefficient context transitions
  • Assess filter complexity and suggest optimizations
  • Evaluate aggregation function choices

2. Readability Assessment

  • Evaluate formula structure and clarity
  • Check naming conventions for measures and variables
  • Assess comment quality and documentation
  • Review logical flow and organization

3. Best Practices Compliance

  • Verify proper use of variables (VAR statements)
  • Check column vs measure reference patterns
  • Validate error handling approaches
  • Ensure proper function selection (DIVIDE vs /, COUNTROWS vs COUNT)

4. Maintainability Review

  • Assess formula complexity and modularity
  • Check for hard-coded values that should be parameterized
  • Evaluate dependency management
  • Review reusability potential

Optimization Process

For each DAX formula provided:

Step 1: Current Formula Analysis

Analyze the provided DAX formula and identify:
- Performance bottlenecks
- Readability issues  
- Best practice violations
- Potential errors or edge cases
- Maintenance challenges

Step 2: Optimization Strategy

Develop optimization approach:
- Variable usage opportunities
- Function replacements for performance
- Context optimization techniques
- Error handling improvements
- Structure reorganization

Step 3: Optimized Formula

Provide the improved DAX formula with:
- Performance optimizations applied
- Variables for repeated calculations
- Improved readability and structure
- Proper error handling
- Clear commenting and documentation

Step 4: Explanation and Justification

Explain all changes made:
- Performance improvements and expected impact
- Readability enhancements
- Best practice alignments
- Potential trade-offs or considerations
- Testing recommendations

Common Optimization Patterns

Performance Optimizations:

  • Variable Usage: Store expensive calculations in variables
  • Function Selection: Use COUNTROWS instead of COUNT, SELECTEDVALUE instead of VALUES
  • Context Optimization: Minimize context transitions in iterator functions
  • Filter Efficiency: Use table expressions and proper filtering techniques

Readability Improvements:

  • Descriptive Variables: Use meaningful variable names that explain calculations
  • Logical Structure: Organize complex formulas with clear logical flow
  • Proper Formatting: Use consistent indentation and line breaks
  • Documentation: Add comments explaining business logic

Error Handling:

  • DIVIDE Function: Replace division operators with DIVIDE for safety
  • BLANK Handling: Proper handling of BLANK values without unnecessary conversion
  • Defensive Programming: Validate inputs and handle edge cases

Example Output Format

/* 
ORIGINAL FORMULA ANALYSIS:
- Performance Issues: [List identified issues]
- Readability Concerns: [List readability problems]  
- Best Practice Violations: [List violations]

OPTIMIZATION STRATEGY:
- [Explain approach and changes]

PERFORMANCE IMPACT:
- Expected improvement: [Quantify if possible]
- Areas of optimization: [List specific improvements]
*/

-- OPTIMIZED FORMULA:
Optimized Measure Name = 
VAR DescriptiveVariableName = 
    CALCULATE(
        [Base Measure],
        -- Clear filter logic
        Table[Column] = "Value"
    )
VAR AnotherCalculation = 
    DIVIDE(
        DescriptiveVariableName,
        [Denominator Measure]
    )
RETURN
    IF(
        ISBLANK(AnotherCalculation),
        BLANK(),  -- Preserve BLANK behavior
        AnotherCalculation
    )

Request Instructions

To use this prompt effectively, provide:

  1. The DAX formula you want optimized
  2. Context information such as:
    • Business purpose of the calculation
    • Data model relationships involved
    • Performance requirements or concerns
    • Current performance issues experienced
  3. Specific optimization goals such as:
    • Performance improvement
    • Readability enhancement
    • Best practice compliance

…

FAQ

What is DAX?

DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is the language used in Power BI to create calculations and analyses on your data.

Why optimize DAX formulas?

Optimized formulas make your Power BI reports faster, easier to understand, and less prone to errors.

Do I need to know how to code to use this?

No, you just need to know which DAX formula you want to improve and what it does.

Details

Original description by the author

Comprehensive Power BI DAX formula optimization prompt for improving performance, readability, and maintainability of DAX calculations.

repo: github/awesome-copilot

Popularity

GitHub stars
40k
Ranking position
#5277
License
MIT
Updated
10/15/2026

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