This One Change Made My Time-Intelligence [DAX] Performance Faster!

Video by: Reid Havens

Microsoft's new calendar-based time intelligence isn't magic, but it's a necessary optimization for every new model (and existing ones with performance issues).

The Results:
✅ Simplified query plans
✅ Fewer rows scanned by Storage Engine (SE)
✅ Same DAX, better syntax

The performance gains come from smarter query optimization. If you're working with large fact tables and time-based calculations, this is how the engine should be working.

What I cover:

• How calendar-based functions optimize the storage engine

• DAX Studio query plan comparison (side-by-side)

• Setting up calendar categories in Power BI

• Migrating from classic DATEADD to calendar-based syntax

• FREE Power BI Calendar Template (PBIX)

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

Calendar Template
Livestream - PBI Calendar Overhaul: Calendar-Based Time Intelligence (with Jeroen [Jay] ter Heerdt)
Calendar-based time intelligence
Microsoft Blog Announcement
Introducing calendar-based time intelligence in DAX

SQLBits Unplugged: Inclusivity, Costumes & the Power of Community (with Simon Sabin)

DESCRIPTION 📄

What started as a small idea among data geeks became one of Europe’s most celebrated data conferences. In this episode, I chat with Simon Sabin, founder of SQLBits, about how the event grew from its humble beginnings into a cornerstone of the Microsoft data community.

We explore what makes SQLBits unique—from its deep commitment to inclusivity and diversity, to its legendary themed parties and creative venues that make learning feel like an adventure. Whether you’ve attended before or are considering joining next year, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what makes SQLBits unlike any other tech event.

🎉 Expect stories, laughs, and maybe a bit of costume talk.

GUEST BIO (Simon Sabin)👤

Simon runs a Data Consultancy Sabin.io enabling companies to make the most of the data they have by implementing a Dev Ops strategy.

He is passionate about the importance of the community and learning. He founded and continues to run SQLBits, the largest SQL Server Conference outside of North America, has been awarded as a Microsoft MVP since 2005 and was recently made a Microsoft Regional Director.

He has worked with data for all his career and worked with companies across all industry sectors including online retail, insurance, finance, motor sport.

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

SQLBits

PBI Calendar Overhaul: Calendar-Based Time Intelligence (with Jeroen [Jay] ter Heerdt)

LIVESTREAM DATE/TIME 📅

October 31st @ 9:30 AM (Pacific Time)

DESCRIPTION 📄

Product Manager Jeroen ter Heerdt demos Power BI’s new calendar-based time intelligence (Preview) — the long-overdue toolbox for anyone who’s ever cursed at week calculations, fiscal oddities, or retail 4-4-5 madness. He’ll show how to enable the preview and use the Calendar options UI or the TMDL model view to declare calendars so DAX finally behaves the way your business calendar actually does.

Expect live demos of week-aware DAX, examples mapping fiscal/retail/ISO calendars, tips on validating calendars (cardinality, partial vs complete categories), and notes on when this can improve performance versus classic time intelligence. This session is practical, so follow along with the preview enabled and bring your weird calendar.

GUEST BIO 👤

Dutch Data Dude. Product Manager at Microsoft.

Jeroen (Jay) ter Heerdt is a Product Manager at Microsoft. He works on Power BI and is passionate about "all things data"; his current focus is on DAX and modeling topics. He strives to be a “datanerd” in all aspects of his life. Jeroen combines enthusiasm, vision, and hands-on experience into his talks. He is on most social media as @jaypowerbi.

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

Calendar-based time intelligence
Introducing calendar-based time intelligence in DAX

Communication is the New Code: Beyond Copy/Paste with GPT's (w/ Kurt Buhler)

LIVESTREAM DATE/TIME 🗓️

October 17th 8:30 AM

DESCRIPTION 📄

The landscape of Power BI development is rapidly evolving as AI tools transform how we approach data modeling, DAX development, and report creation. While many professionals are familiar with ChatGPT, the ecosystem of AI assistance has expanded dramatically, offering specialized tools that can revolutionize your Power BI workflow.

In this comprehensive session, we'll explore cutting-edge AI tools that go far beyond basic chatbots:

🤖 Claude Desktop & MCP Servers - Discover how Claude's advanced reasoning capabilities and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers can provide deeper insights into your data models, suggest optimizations, and help debug complex DAX expressions with unprecedented accuracy.

⚡ GitHub Copilot for Power BI - Learn how this code completion tool adapts to Power BI development, accelerating DAX writing, M queries, and even documentation generation.

🔍 Advanced AI Workflows - See real-world demonstrations of AI-assisted Power BI development, from automated measure generation to intelligent data modeling suggestions.

We'll provide an honest assessment of these tools - the goods (incredible productivity gains), the bads (current limitations), and the uglies (potential pitfalls and over-reliance risks). You'll leave with practical strategies to integrate these AI tools into your daily Power BI development process.

Whether you're a seasoned Power BI developer or just getting started, this session will show you how "communication truly is the new code" in our AI-augmented world.

GUEST BIO 👤

Kurt Buhler is a renowned Power BI expert and prolific content creator. Follow his insights and tutorials at [Kurt's Blog] and connect with the community using #PowerBI #AITools #DataAnalytics #DAX #PowerPlatform #ArtificialIntelligence #DataModeling #BusinessIntelligence

RELATED CONTENT 🔗

Data Goblins