Daily DAX : Day 282 INFO.QUERYGROUPS

 The **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** DAX function in Power BI is part of the INFO functions family, introduced to provide metadata about a semantic model. Specifically, **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** retrieves information about query groups defined within a Power BI semantic model. Query groups are used to organize and manage queries in a model, often for documentation or optimization purposes, especially in large or complex datasets.

### Syntax

```

INFO.QUERYGROUPS()

```

- **No arguments**: This function does not require any parameters.

- **Output**: Returns a table with details about query groups in the semantic model.

### Return Value

The function outputs a table with columns that describe the query groups, including:

- **ID**: A unique identifier for the query group.

- **Name**: The name of the query group, if defined.

- **Description**: A description of the query group, if provided.

- **Hidden**: Indicates whether the query group is hidden (TRUE/FALSE).

- **Other metadata**: Additional properties, such as the associated tables or queries, may be included depending on the model.

### Use Case

**INFO.QUERYGROUPS** is primarily used for **model documentation and management**. It helps Power BI developers, data modelers, and administrators understand the structure and organization of queries within a semantic model. Below are specific scenarios where this function is useful:

1. **Model Documentation**:

   - Large Power BI models often contain numerous queries, which can be grouped for better organization (e.g., "Sales Queries," "Financial Metrics," or "HR Data").

   - By using **INFO.QUERYGROUPS**, you can generate a table listing all query groups, their names, and descriptions, which can be used to document the model for team members or stakeholders.

   - Example: Create a calculated table in Power BI to display query group metadata for documentation purposes:

     ```DAX

     EVALUATE INFO.QUERYGROUPS()

     ```

     This query can be run in DAX query view to retrieve a table of query group details, which can be copied into a report or Excel for documentation.

2. **Auditing and Governance**:

   - Administrators with semantic model permissions can use **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** to audit how queries are organized and ensure consistency in naming conventions or descriptions.

   - It helps verify whether certain query groups are hidden (e.g., for internal use) or visible for reporting purposes.

3. **Debugging and Optimization**:

   - In complex models, understanding query group organization can help identify redundant or misplaced queries, improving model performance.

   - For example, if a query group is associated with computationally heavy queries, you can use the metadata from **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** to prioritize optimization efforts.

4. **Integration with Other DAX Functions**:

   - Since **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** returns a table, it can be combined with other DAX functions like **SELECTCOLUMNS**, **FILTER**, or **ADDCOLUMNS** to customize the output for specific needs.

   - Example: To retrieve only the names and descriptions of non-hidden query groups:

     ```DAX

     EVALUATE

     SELECTCOLUMNS(

         FILTER(INFO.QUERYGROUPS(), [Hidden] = FALSE),

         "Query Group Name", [Name],

         "Description", [Description]

     )

     ```

### Practical Example

Suppose you’re managing a Power BI model with multiple query groups, such as "Sales Analysis," "Inventory Tracking," and "Customer Insights." You want to create a report page that documents these groups for your team. You can use the following DAX query in DAX query view:

```DAX

EVALUATE

ADDCOLUMNS(

    INFO.QUERYGROUPS(),

    "Model Name", "My Semantic Model",

    "As of Date", NOW()

)

```

This query retrieves all query groups, adds a static column for the model name, and includes a timestamp. The resulting table can be visualized in a Power BI report or exported to Excel for documentation.

### Key Notes

- **Permissions**: Using **INFO.QUERYGROUPS** requires semantic model admin permissions, and some metadata may require workspace admin permissions.

- **Compatibility**: This function is supported only in Power BI semantic models, not in SQL Server Analysis Services, Azure Analysis Services, or Power Pivot models.[](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/info-functions-dax)

- **Dynamic Use**: As a table-returning function, it can be used in DAX queries or calculated tables to enhance model self-documentation.

### Benefits

- Simplifies model management by providing a clear overview of query group organization.

- Enhances collaboration by making it easier to share model structure with team members.

- Supports governance by enabling audits of query group configurations.

By leveraging **INFO.QUERYGROUPS**, Power BI users can maintain better control over their data models, ensuring clarity and efficiency in large-scale analytics projects.[](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/info-functions-dax)