PL-300 Visualize and analyze the data Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are valid ways to create a calculated table in Power BI? (Select two.)
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
✓
Using the CALENDAR function to generate a date table.
Option A is correct because the CALENDAR function is a DAX table-returning function that generates a contiguous date table, and calculated tables are created with DAX table expressions. Option B is correct because DAX table functions such as SUMMARIZE and ADDCOLUMNS return tables and are commonly used in the DAX formula bar to build calculated tables. Option C is incorrect because the 'New Table' button under the Modeling tab expects a DAX table expression, not a Power Query expression. Option D is incorrect because M language in Power Query Editor creates queries/imported tables, not calculated tables. Option E is incorrect because there is no such right-click 'New calculated table' command in the Fields pane.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Using the CALENDAR function to generate a date table.
Why this is correct
CALENDAR is a DAX table function returning a single-column date table, and calculated tables are built from DAX table expressions. This satisfies the stem's requirement for a valid calculated-table creation method, commonly used to generate a date dimension.
- ✓
Using DAX expressions like SUMMARIZE or ADDCOLUMNS.
Why this is correct
SUMMARIZE and ADDCOLUMNS are DAX table functions that return a table, and calculated tables are defined by DAX table expressions evaluated at refresh. This satisfies the stem's requirement for a valid calculated-table creation method in Power BI Desktop.
- ✗
Using the 'New Table' button under the 'Modeling' tab and writing a Power Query expression.
Why it's wrong here
The 'New Table' button under the Modeling tab opens a DAX formula bar, not the Power Query editor, so a Power Query expression cannot be entered there. It is tempting because Power Query's 'Enter Data' and query-based tables do create tables, but that route sits under Transform Data, not Modeling.
- ✗
Using M language in Power Query Editor.
Why it's wrong here
M is for Power Query, not calculated tables.
- ✗
By right-clicking a table in the Fields pane and selecting 'New calculated table'.
Why it's wrong here
The Fields pane context menu offers New measure, New column and New quick measure, but no calculated-table command. It is the natural place to add calculated columns and measures to an existing table, which is why the option looks plausible.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This PL-300 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PL-300 exam.