DAX vs SQL

Excel formulas on steroids, but good luck remembering the syntax for time intelligence meets the universal language for talking to databases, because everyone loves a good select * from drama. Here's our take.

DAX

Nice Pick

Excel formulas on steroids, but good luck remembering the syntax for time intelligence.

Pros

• Seamless integration with Microsoft Power BI and Excel for powerful data modeling
• Built-in time intelligence functions make date-based calculations a breeze
• Optimized for performance on large tabular datasets

Cons

• Steep learning curve with cryptic error messages that leave you guessing
• Limited to Microsoft ecosystem, so no cross-platform flexibility

SQL

The universal language for talking to databases, because everyone loves a good SELECT * FROM drama.

Pros

• Standardized across major databases like PostgreSQL and MySQL
• Simple syntax for basic queries like SELECT and INSERT
• Powerful for complex joins and aggregations
• Widely supported with extensive documentation

Cons

• Vendor-specific extensions can break portability
• Performance tuning often requires deep database knowledge

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. DAX is a languages while SQL is a databases. We picked DAX based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

DAX wins

Based on overall popularity. DAX is more widely used, but SQL excels in its own space.