An explicit measure is a calculation created and named by a report builder or model author, usually with DAX, and stored in the semantic model.
Explicit measures
Explicit measures are calculations created intentionally in Power BI, usually with DAX, and saved in the semantic model.
Quick facts about explicit measures
Created by report builders
Explicit measures are written and named by someone building or managing the Power BI model.
Usually use DAX
They are commonly created with DAX formulas to define calculations such as revenue, margin, conversion rate or year to date sales.
Reusable across reports
Once created, an explicit measure can be reused in visuals and reports that use the same semantic model.
Different from implicit measures
Implicit measures are automatic aggregations created by Power BI, while explicit measures are deliberately defined calculations.
How explicit measures work
Explicit measures define how a calculation should behave in a Power BI report. Instead of letting Power BI automatically summarize a column, the report builder creates a specific calculation that can be reused and governed.
Explicit measures are often used for:
- Total revenue
- Gross margin
- Conversion rate
- Year to date sales
This makes reporting more consistent. When the same measure is reused across visuals, teams can reduce the risk of different reports calculating the same business metric in different ways.
Why explicit measures matter in BI reporting
Explicit measures matter because they help define business logic clearly. A metric such as margin, churn or growth rate should be calculated the same way wherever it appears.
In Power BI, explicit measures support more consistent reporting across reports and audiences. Skald BI helps teams share those finished Power BI reports through a secure branded portal, so customers, partners and internal users can access trusted metrics in a controlled experience.
Use cases
See how different types of organisations use Skald BI to share Power BI securely with employees, customers and partners.
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Frequently asked questions
What is an explicit measure in Power BI?
What is an example of an explicit measure?
Examples include total revenue, profit margin, conversion rate, average order value and year to date sales.
What is the difference between explicit and implicit measures?
An explicit measure is deliberately created with a defined formula. An implicit measure is an automatic aggregation that Power BI creates when a numeric field is added to a visual.
Why are explicit measures useful?
Explicit measures help teams reuse the same calculation across reports, which supports consistency, governance and easier maintenance.
How do explicit measures relate to Skald BI?