Introduction
When working with data in Power BI, one of the most basic yet powerful operations is counting values. The COUNT function in DAX allows you to count numeric values in a column, which is essential for building KPIs, tracking performance, and summarizing datasets.
In this article, we’ll explore what COUNT does, its syntax, how it differs from COUNTA, and see real-life examples that make it easier to understand.
What is the COUNT Function in DAX?
Definition:
COUNT counts the number of non-blank numeric values in a column. It ignores text values and blanks.
Syntax:
COUNT(<column>)- <column> → The column containing the values you want to count.
How COUNT Works
- Only counts numbers (integers, decimals, currency).
- Skips text, logical (TRUE/FALSE), and blank values.
- Respects the filter context that is currently in use (visual filters, slicers).
Real-Life Business Example 1: Counting Orders
Scenario:
A sales manager wants to know how many orders have a numeric Order ID.
Data Table: Orders
| OrderID | Customer | SalesAmount |
| 101 | John Smith | 500 |
| 102 | Priya Rao | 350 |
| BLANK | NULL | 0 |
| 103 | Ahmed Khan | 400 |
DAX Formula:
Order Count = COUNT(Orders[OrderID])Result:
- Counts only numeric Order IDs → 3.
Real-Life Business Example 2: Customer Purchases
Scenario:
You want to count how many customers made at least one purchase.
Data Table: SalesData
| CustomerID | Name | PurchaseValue |
| 1 | Sarah Lee | 200 |
| 2 | Raj Patel | 150 |
| BLANK | NULL | 0 |
| 3 | Alice Wong | 300 |
DAX Formula:
Total Customers = COUNT(SalesData[CustomerID])Result:
Counts only rows where CustomerID is numeric and non-blank → 3.
COUNT vs COUNTA – Key Difference
| Feature | COUNT | COUNTA |
| Counts only numbers | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Counts text values | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Counts blanks | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Example:
If your column has 10, “ABC”, 20, BLANK →
- COUNT returns 2 (10 & 20 only).
- COUNTA returns 3 (counts text as well).
Using COUNT with Filters
You can combine COUNT with CALCULATE to count based on conditions.
Example:
Count orders above ₹500:
Orders Above 500 = CALCULATE(
COUNT(Orders[OrderID]),
Orders[SalesAmount] > 500
)Performance Tips
- COUNT is very fast for large datasets.
- Use it directly on numeric ID columns for best performance.
- If your column contains mixed data types, consider using COUNTA or COUNTAX.
Common Mistakes
❌ Using COUNT on text columns → Returns 0.
❌ Forgetting that blanks are ignored → Can lead to unexpected results.
❌ Confusing COUNT with DISTINCTCOUNT → COUNT counts all numbers, DISTINCTCOUNT counts only unique numbers.
Conclusion
The COUNT function in DAX is a foundational tool for summarizing numeric datasets. It’s fast, easy to use, and works perfectly for metrics like number of orders, transactions, or active customers. Understanding when to use COUNT vs COUNTA will make your Power BI dashboards more accurate.
FAQs
- Does COUNT count blanks?
No, blanks are ignored. - Can I count only unique values?
Use DISTINCTCOUNT instead. - Does COUNT work with measures?
No, it works only with columns. - What happens if my column has both text and numbers?
COUNT will ignore text values. - Is COUNT affected by filters?
Yes, it respects the current filter context.