Daily DAX : Day 163 TRUE

 In Power BI, the DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) function TRUE is a simple logical function that returns the Boolean value TRUE. It doesn’t take any arguments and is often used in scenarios where a logical condition needs to be explicitly set to TRUE or evaluated as part of a larger expression.

Syntax

DAX

TRUE()

Return Value

    The function always returns the Boolean value TRUE.

Use Case

The TRUE function is typically used in combination with other DAX functions, such as IF, FILTER, or calculated columns/measures, to define or test logical conditions. It’s particularly useful when you want to:

    Explicitly return TRUE as a result in a logical test.

    Simplify complex conditional logic.

    Set a default Boolean value in a calculation.

Practical Examples

1. Using TRUE in an IF Statement

Suppose you’re analyzing sales data and want to flag all rows where sales exceed a certain threshold:

DAX

HighSalesFlag = IF(Sales[Amount] > 1000, TRUE(), FALSE())

Here, TRUE() is used to return TRUE when the sales amount exceeds 1000, and FALSE() otherwise. This could be used to filter or visualize high-performing sales records.

2. Combining with FILTER

You might use TRUE() in a FILTER function to return all rows that meet a condition:

DAX

HighValueOrders = FILTER(Sales, Sales[Amount] > 1000 && TRUE())

While the && TRUE() part is redundant here, it illustrates how TRUE() can be embedded in logical evaluations.

3. Setting a Constant Value

In some cases, you might want a measure or column to always return TRUE for testing or placeholder purposes:

DAX

IsActive = TRUE()

This could be useful in early dashboard development to simulate a condition.

4. Debugging or Placeholder Logic

When building complex DAX formulas, you might temporarily use TRUE() to bypass certain conditions and test other parts of your logic:

DAX

TestMeasure = IF(TRUE(), SUM(Sales[Amount]), 0)

This ensures the SUM(Sales[Amount]) is always calculated, regardless of other conditions, during testing.

Key Notes

    TRUE() is rarely used standalone because its value is static. Its power comes from integration with other DAX functions.

    It’s equivalent to the Boolean literal TRUE in DAX (e.g., IF(Sales[Amount] > 1000, TRUE, FALSE) works the same way without the parentheses).

    Use it when readability or explicitness in your code is a priority.

Real-World Scenario

Imagine a Power BI report tracking customer satisfaction. You could use TRUE() in a calculated column to identify satisfied customers:

DAX

SatisfiedCustomer = IF(Customers[SatisfactionScore] >= 8, TRUE(), FALSE())

This column could then be used to filter visuals or calculate the percentage of satisfied customers.

In summary, TRUE() is a straightforward but versatile function in DAX, primarily serving as a building block in logical expressions to enhance clarity and control in Power BI calculations.