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How to Multiply in Power BI

Cody Schneider••8 min read

Need to multiply two columns in Power BI? It seems like it should be simple, but the "best" way isn't always obvious. Calculating something like Price * Quantity is a fundamental task, but Power BI gives you a few different ways to get it done. This guide will walk you through the three primary methods for multiplication: calculated columns, measures using DAX, and customized columns in the Power Query editor.

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The Big Picture: Calculated Columns vs. Measures

Before jumping into the step-by-step instructions, it’s important to understand the core difference between the two most common methods in Power BI: calculated columns and measures. Getting this right will save you a lot of headaches and help you build faster, more efficient reports.

Calculated Columns

Think of a calculated column exactly like a new column you would add to an Excel spreadsheet. Here’s what defines it:

  • Row-by-Row Calculation: The formula is evaluated for each individual row in your table and the result is stored there.
  • Stored in Your Model: The results of the calculation physically live in your Power BI data model. This uses up memory (RAM) and increases the file size of your report.
  • Static Values: The values are calculated when you refresh the data and don't change based on how a user interacts with slicers or filters in your report.

When to use them: You should use a calculated column when you want a static value that you can use to slice, dice, filter, or categorize your data. If you need to see the result of the calculation in a table row or use it on an axis of a chart, a calculated column is often the right choice.

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Measures

A measure is more like a formula you’d use in an Excel PivotTable. It's a calculation that happens on the fly, based on the context of your report.

  • On-the-Fly Calculation: The formula is evaluated at the time you use it in a visual. It's not stored per row.
  • Context-Dependent: The result of a measure dynamically changes based on the filters applied by the user - slicers, chart elements, other visuals, etc.
  • Lightweight: Measures don’t take up significant memory because the results aren't stored in your model. They are ideal for aggregations like sums, averages, and counts.

When to use them: Use a measure when you need to calculate an aggregate value (like total revenue or average price) that should respond dynamically to user selections in the report. 90% of the time, if you want to show a number in a card visual, in the values section of a chart, or in a matrix, a measure is what you need.

Method 1: Multiplying with a Calculated Column using DAX

This is the most straightforward method and is perfect for when you need a new, physical column in your table showing the result of a multiplication for each row.

Let's imagine you have a sales table named SalesData with columns for Quantity and UnitPrice.

When to Use This Method

Use this method if you want to create a LineTotal for every single sale. You might want to do this to later create a histogram showing the distribution of sales sizes or filter for all sales over $1000.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Go to the Data View: In Power BI Desktop, click on the table icon on the left-hand side to switch to the Data View.
  2. Select Your Table: From the Fields pane on the right, click on the table where you want to add the new column (e.g., SalesData).
  3. Create a New Column: From the "Table tools" tab in the ribbon at the top, click on "New column." You'll see the formula bar appear.
  4. Enter Your DAX Formula: Type the following formula into the formula bar. DAX syntax requires you to specify the table name before the column name.

LineTotal = SalesData[Quantity] * SalesData[UnitPrice]

  1. Commit the Formula: Press Enter. Power BI will instantly calculate the product for every row and a new LineTotal column will appear in your table. You can now use this column just like any other column in your dataset.

That's it! You've successfully added a static column with your multiplied value. This column is now a permanent part of your table for slicing and dicing.

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Method 2: Multiplying with Measures using DAX and SUMX

This is the more powerful and performance-friendly method for calculating aggregate totals. Unlike a calculated column, a measure calculates the result dynamically based on filters.

A common mistake for beginners is to write a measure like this: Total Revenue = SUM(SalesData[Quantity]) * SUM(SalesData[UnitPrice]). This formula is logically incorrect because it sums up all the quantities and multiplies that total by the sum of all the unit prices, which will give you a wildly inaccurate and inflated number.

The correct way to handle row-by-row multiplication within a measure is to use an "iterator" function like SUMX.

What is SUMX?

SUMX is a DAX function that goes through a table, row by row, performs an expression (like your multiplication), and then sums up the results of that expression. It’s perfect for calculating total revenue.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Stay in the Report or Data View: You can create a measure from almost anywhere in Power BI. It's good practice to keep them organized. Some people create a blank table just to hold all their measures.
  2. Create a New Measure: From the "Home" or "Modeling" tab in the ribbon, click "New measure." The formula bar will appear.
  3. Enter Your SUMX Formula: In the formula bar, tell SUMX which table to iterate over (SalesData) and what expression to evaluate for each row (Quantity * UnitPrice).

Total Revenue = SUMX( SalesData, SalesData[Quantity] * SalesData[UnitPrice] )

  1. Commit the Measure: Press Enter. You won't see a new column appear. Instead, you'll see your Total Revenue measure (with a calculator icon) in the Fields pane on the right.
  2. Use Your Measure in a Visual: Drag the Total Revenue measure onto a Card visual to see the grand total. Or, drag it into a bar chart with "Product Category" on the axis to see total revenue dynamically sliced by category.

The beauty of this method is its flexibility. If a user clicks on "2023" in a year slicer, the Total Revenue measure will instantly recalculate to show only the revenue for that year.

Method 3: Multiplying in the Power Query Editor

The third method involves performing the multiplication before your data even gets loaded into the Power BI data model. This is done in the Power Query Editor, which is Power BI's tool for data transformation and cleaning (the "ETL" step).

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When to Use This Method

You should perform multiplication in Power Query when the calculation is a fundamental part of your data preparation. If you always want that multiplied column available as a standard field and the logic is simple, doing it here can simplify your DAX model later on. This is especially good for very large datasets, as the calculation is done once during data refresh rather than using your computer's memory to store it.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Open the Power Query Editor: On the "Home" tab in Power BI Desktop, click on "Transform data." This will open a new window for the Power Query Editor.
  2. Select Your Query: On the left side, select the query (the Power Query term for a table) you want to modify, such as SalesData.
  3. Navigate to the "Add Column" Tab: At the top, click on the "Add Column" tab in the Power Query ribbon.
  4. Create a Custom Column: Click on the "Custom Column" button. This will open a new dialog box.
  5. Define Your New Column:

=[Quantity] * [UnitPrice]

Notice that you don't need to specify the table name here, as you are already working within that query.

  1. Confirm and Check: Click "OK." A new LineTotal column will appear at the end of your table. Power Query automatically tries to detect the data type, but it's good practice to double-check that it's set to a Decimal or Fixed Decimal number.
  2. Close & Apply: Once you are done, click the "Close & Apply" button in the top-left corner. Your transformed data, including your new multiplied column, will now load into your Power BI model.

Quick Guide: Which Method Should You Use?

Still not sure which one fits your situation? Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

  • Use a Calculated Column if:
  • Use a Measure (with SUMX) if:
  • Use Power Query if:

Final Thoughts

Mastering multiplication in Power BI is all about understanding context: Is it something that happens per row (calculated column), or is it an aggregation that needs to be flexible (measure)? By learning the difference between calculated columns, measures, and Power Query transformations, you can build smarter, faster, and more effective reports.

Of course, learning the nuances of DAX and Power BI involves a significant learning curve. We built Graphed to remove this complexity entirely. Instead of wrestling with functions like SUMX, you can simply connect your data sources and describe what you need in plain English. Ask for "total sales by product category as a bar chart," and our AI analyst builds the live, interactive visualization for you, turning hours of learning and formula writing into a 30-second task.

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