27.7 Helpful Tools
Start with a problem
Amir asks which free tools help find performance issues.
Explain simply
Performance Analyzer (built-in), DAX Studio (query timings, VertiPaq), Tabular Editor (Best Practice Analyzer), DAX query view.
Show the data
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Performance Analyzer | Per-visual timings |
| DAX Studio | Server timings, model size |
| Tabular Editor BPA | Rule checks |
About this data: This table uses columns: Tool, Use. This table uses columns: Tool, Finding (sample). This table uses columns: Wrong result, Reason, Correction. Values shown are the lesson examples already on this page (not a new dataset).
Fictional sample data. Practice file: visuals_orders_apr_may_2026.csv (source: src/practice/).
Demonstrate
- Copy the matrix query from Performance Analyzer.
- Paste in DAX Studio, enable Server Timings, run.
- Run Best Practice Analyzer in Tabular Editor.
Show the result
Your result should look like this (fictional sample):
| Tool | Finding (sample) |
|---|---|
| DAX Studio | Storage engine vs formula engine time |
| BPA | Unused columns flagged |
Explain what happened
Each tool shows a different layer of the problem.
Explore further
- See reference for download notes.
Detailed reference for this lesson:
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Performance Analyzer (built-in) | Time per visual |
| DAX query view (built-in) | Run and test DAX queries |
| DAX Studio (free, community) | Query timings, server timings, VertiPaq Analyzer (size per column) |
| Tabular Editor (community/commercial) | Model editing, Best Practice Analyzer rules |
| Best Practice Analyzer / Memory Analyzer notebooks (Fabric) | Automated model checks |
Checklist before publishing
Unused columns removed · Auto date/time off · Star schema with single-direction relationships · Date table marked · Measures formatted and in folders · IDs hidden · Performance Analyzer shows no visual taking unusually long.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
Friends, many students install DAX Studio or Tabular Editor and make changes without a backup. Save a copy of your PBIX (or use PBIP with Git) before changing a model with external tools, and follow your organisation's rules on which tools are allowed. Don't make this mistake!
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
मित्रांनो, बरेच students DAX Studio किंवा Tabular Editor install करतात आणि backup शिवाय बदल करतात. External tools ने model बदलण्याआधी तुमच्या PBIX ची copy save करा (किंवा Git सोबत PBIP वापरा), आणि कोणते tools वापरायला परवानगी आहे याबद्दल तुमच्या organisation चे नियम पाळा. ही चूक करू नका!
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
दोस्तों, बहुत से students DAX Studio या Tabular Editor install करते हैं और बिना backup के बदलाव कर देते हैं. External tools से model बदलने से पहले अपनी PBIX की copy save करो (या Git के साथ PBIP इस्तेमाल करो), और कौन से tools इस्तेमाल करने की इजाज़त है इस पर अपनी organisation के नियम मानो. यह गलती मत करना!
Fix common mistakes
| Wrong result | Reason | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| DAX Studio not connected | Desktop file closed | Open the pbix first |
| BPA warnings ignored | Too many | Fix high severity first |
| Using third-party tools without approval | Company policy | Ask IT |
Practise independently
Practice task
Which tool shows model size per column?
Hints
- VertiPaq.
Solution
DAX Studio (VertiPaq Analyzer).
Think like a professional
Naming the right tool for each layer shows practical experience.
Revision card