implicit vs. explicit in powerpivot and the calculate function

[stephme55]

Hello. I've heard that it is always best to create explicit function in powerpivot. An example is [2001 customers] = calculate([active customers], Sales[Year]= 2001)

Would I have to create one of those for each year instead of just filtering in the pivot table itself? The formula that builds off of that is [customer growth since 2001] = ([Active Customers]-[2001 Customers])/[2001 Customers])

It seems besides the point to have create this filtered equation JUST FOR 2001 year.

[romperstomper]

Unless you are trying to compare other years to 2001 specifically, there is little point in creating that measure. I suspect you have misinterpreted what you heard - it is indeed best to create explicit measures rather than just adding fields to the data area and changing the summary function used in the pivot but creating an explicit measure for every individual combination of fields would be madness.

[stephme55]

Madness I tell you, madness!! Thanks