DA0-002 Visualization and Reporting Practice Question
A BI analyst is creating a report in Power BI and needs to calculate the total sales for the current year compared to the previous year. Which DAX function should be used to calculate the previous year's sales?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR returns a set of dates in the previous year for the same period, which is ideal for year-over-year comparisons.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR
Why this is correct
SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR returns dates from the previous year for the same period.
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PREVIOUSYEAR
Why it's wrong here
PREVIOUSYEAR is not a standard DAX function; the correct function is SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR.
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TOTALYTD
Why it's wrong here
TOTALYTD calculates year-to-date values for the current year.
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DATEADD
Why it's wrong here
DATEADD shifts dates by a specified interval, but SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR is more direct for year-over-year.
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