The ALLSELECTED function in DAX returns all rows in a table or column while retaining filters applied by slicers or visuals in the current report. Unlike ALL, it respects outer filters applied by the user but removes filters imposed by the current calculation. It’s commonly used for calculating dynamic totals or percentages in visuals.
General Overview of the ALLSELECTED Function
Function Name: ALLSELECTED
Function Category: Filter
Definition
The ALLSELECTED function returns all rows of a table or column, removing any filters applied within the current calculation while retaining filters from slicers and visuals. This behavior allows for comparative calculations, such as percentages of totals or subtotals.
Why Use ALLSELECTED?
The ALLSELECTED function is crucial for advanced calculations where you need to respect external filters while ignoring internal ones. It is particularly useful in interactive reporting, where slicers and visuals dynamically filter data.
Significance in Data Analysis
The ALLSELECTED function is significant because it:
- Supports dynamic calculations that respect user-applied filters.
- Facilitates comparative metrics like percentages of totals or subtotals.
- Allows for advanced filtering logic in interactive reports and dashboards.
Common Use Cases
The ALLSELECTED function is commonly used in scenarios such as:
- Percentage of Total: Calculate percentages based on slicer or visual selections.
- Dynamic Totals: Compute totals or subtotals while respecting slicer filters.
- Advanced Context Management: Handle nested filter contexts dynamically.
- Interactive Reporting: Adapt calculations to user interactions in visuals.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare filtered data against the total or subtotal defined by slicers.
How to Use the ALLSELECTED Function
Syntax
ALLSELECTED([<tableName> | <columnName>[, <columnName>[, <columnName>[, …]]]] )Breakdown of Parameters
- <tableName>: The table from which filters are removed while retaining slicer/visual filters.
- <columnName>: One or more columns for which filters are removed, while retaining slicer/visual filters.
Explanation of Parameters
- TableName: Refers to the entire table for which filters will be cleared, except those applied by slicers or visuals.
- ColumnName: Refers to specific columns for which filters will be cleared, respecting slicer and visual context.
Performance and Capabilities
How It Works
The ALLSELECTED function modifies the filter context by removing filters from the specified table or columns that are applied internally by the current calculation. However, it preserves any filters applied by slicers, visuals, or other report-level interactions.
Key Features
- Context-Aware: Dynamically adapts to slicer or visual interactions.
- Selective Filtering: Removes internal filters while retaining external filters.
- Versatility: Supports both column-level and table-level operations.
ALLSELECTED Function Examples
Simple Examples of ALLSELECTED Function
Example 1: Retrieve All Rows Respecting Slicer Filters
Explanation: Return all rows from the “Sales” table respecting slicer filters but ignoring internal filters.
FilteredSales = ALLSELECTED(Sales)Example 2: Calculate Total Sales
Explanation: Calculate total sales ignoring internal filters but respecting slicers.
TotalSalesWithFilters = CALCULATE( SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), ALLSELECTED(Sales) )Example 3: Remove Filters from a Specific Column
Explanation: Return all distinct product categories while retaining slicer filters on other columns.
DistinctCategories = ALLSELECTED(Products[Category])
Practical Examples of ALLSELECTED Function
Example 1: Calculate Percentage of Total Sales
Explanation: Calculate sales as a percentage of total sales within the slicer context.
SalesPercentage = DIVIDE( SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), ALLSELECTED(Sales)) )Example 2: Create Dynamic Ranking
Explanation: Rank products based on sales, respecting slicers and visuals.
ProductRank = RANKX( ALLSELECTED(Products), SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), , DESC )Example 3: Compare Current Row to Total
Explanation: Calculate the difference between current sales and total sales within slicer-defined context.
SalesDifference = SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]) - CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), ALLSELECTED(Sales))
Combining ALLSELECTED with Other DAX Functions
Example 1: Combine with FILTER for Advanced Logic
Explanation: Calculate sales for high-value products, respecting slicers.
HighValueSales = CALCULATE( SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]), FILTER(ALLSELECTED(Products), Products[Price] > 1000) )Example 2: Combine with SUMMARIZE for Aggregated Results
Explanation: Summarize sales data by region, respecting slicers.
RegionalSummary = SUMMARIZE( ALLSELECTED(Sales), Sales[Region], "Total Sales", SUM(Sales[SalesAmount]) )Example 3: Use with ADDCOLUMNS for Custom Columns
Explanation: Add a column showing the percentage of total revenue for each product.
ProductsWithPercentage = ADDCOLUMNS( Products, "PercentageOfTotal", DIVIDE( SUM(Sales[Revenue]), CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Revenue]), ALLSELECTED(Products)) ) )Tips and Recommendations for Using the ALLSELECTED Function
Best Practices
- Use ALLSELECTED for calculations that need to respect slicer filters but ignore calculation-specific filters.
- Combine with CALCULATE to modify filter context dynamically for advanced metrics.
- Test results with visuals to ensure proper behavior within interactive dashboards.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Misunderstanding Context: Ensure that the external filter context (e.g., slicers) is well understood to avoid incorrect outputs.
- Overusing ALLSELECTED: Avoid unnecessary use of ALLSELECTED, as it may complicate measures and reduce performance.
- Ignoring Alternate Functions: Use ALL or REMOVEFILTERS instead if slicer filters should also be ignored.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Retains user-applied slicer and visual filters, making it highly interactive for reports.
- Supports dynamic calculations for percentages, rankings, and subtotals.
- Works well in combination with other DAX functions for advanced filtering and aggregation.
Disadvantages
- May lead to confusion if filter contexts are not clearly understood.
- Performance may degrade in large models with excessive use of ALLSELECTED.
- Not suitable for cases where all filters (including slicers) need to be ignored; use REMOVEFILTERS or ALL instead.
Comparing ALLSELECTED with Similar Functions
- ALLSELECTED vs. ALL: ALL removes all filters, including slicers, while ALLSELECTED retains slicer filters.
- ALLSELECTED vs. REMOVEFILTERS: REMOVEFILTERS clears specific filters, whereas ALLSELECTED retains slicer/visual filters but removes internal filters.
- ALLSELECTED vs. ALLEXCEPT: ALLEXCEPT keeps filters on specified columns, while ALLSELECTED retains all slicer-applied filters.
Challenges and Issues
Common Limitations
- Context Dependence: Results can vary widely based on slicer and visual filters, requiring careful testing.
- Performance Impact: Heavy use of ALLSELECTED in large datasets can slow down calculations.
- Misinterpretation: Users may confuse it with ALL or REMOVEFILTERS, leading to incorrect measure logic.
How to Debug ALLSELECTED Function Issues
- Inspect Filter Context: Use a table or matrix visual to verify the filter context of affected columns or tables.
- Test Outputs: Test intermediate steps of calculations using ALLSELECTED to validate results.
- Optimize Expressions: Simplify measures to reduce performance overhead in complex models.
Suitable Visualizations for Representation
- Table: Show results with dynamic subtotals or grand totals based on slicer selections.
- Card Visual: Display percentage metrics or totals respecting slicer-defined contexts.
- Bar Chart: Compare filtered and unfiltered data using measures based on ALLSELECTED.
Conclusion
The ALLSELECTED function in DAX is a powerful tool for creating dynamic, slicer-sensitive calculations in Power BI. Its ability to retain slicer and visual filters while ignoring internal filters makes it ideal for interactive reports, percentage calculations, and ranking. When combined with other DAX functions like CALCULATE, FILTER, and DIVIDE, ALLSELECTED enables advanced analytics tailored to user-defined contexts. Use it wisely to maximize its potential while maintaining performance and clarity.
