Dax Function: SIGN
Category: Mathematical and Trigonometric Functions
The SIGN function in Power BI is a DAX function that returns the sign of a numeric value. The result is:
- 1 if the number is positive.
- -1 if the number is negative.
- 0 if the number is zero.
Purpose:
- To identify the direction (positive or negative) of a number.
- Useful for categorizing or filtering data based on its sign.
Type of Calculations:
- Performs a simple evaluation of the numeric sign.
- Facilitates conditional logic or classification based on positive/negative values.
Practical Use Cases:
- Data Categorization: Group values into positive, negative, and neutral categories.
- Trend Analysis: Determine directional trends in datasets like financial transactions or stock price changes.
- Error Handling: Identify and handle negative or zero values in computations.
SIGN(<number>)
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
number | Scalar | The numeric value or expression to evaluate for its sign. |
How Does SIGN Dax Function Works?
The SIGN function evaluates the numeric value provided as input:
- If the number is greater than zero, the function returns 1.
- If the number is less than zero, the function returns -1.
- If the number is exactly zero, the function returns 0.
What Does It Return?
The SIGN function returns a scalar value:
- 1 for positive numbers.
- -1 for negative numbers.
- 0 for zero.
When Should We Use It?
- Categorizing Data:
Classify numeric data into positive, negative, and zero categories.
- Trend Analysis:
Analyze directional changes, such as profit/loss or temperature fluctuations.
- Conditional Formatting:
Apply visual cues or transformations based on the sign of numeric values.
Examples
Basic Usage
Evaluate the sign of a single value:
SignResult = SIGN(-45)
Output: -1.
Column Usage
Apply the SIGN function to a column of sales data:
SalesSign = SIGN(Sales[Amount])
Returns 1, -1, or 0 for each row in the Sales[Amount] column.
Advanced Usage
Combine SIGN with conditional logic:
SignCategory = SWITCH(
SIGN(Transactions[Balance]),
-1, "Negative",
0, "Zero",
1, "Positive",
"Unknown"
)
Result: Categorizes transaction balances as “Negative,” “Zero,” or “Positive.”
Tips and Tricks
- Combine with Logical Functions: Use SIGN alongside
IForSWITCHfor advanced conditional logic. - Identify Outliers: Filter out values with a specific sign, e.g., exclude negative balances.
- Visual Clarity: Use the output of SIGN to create visual indicators in reports.
Performance Impact of SIGN DAX Function:
- Efficient for scalar operations or column calculations.
- No significant performance overhead, even with large datasets.
Related Functions You Might Need
- ABS: Returns the absolute value of a number.
- ROUND: Rounds a number to a specified number of digits.
- IF: Enables conditional logic based on the output of SIGN.
Want to Learn More?
For more information, check out the official Microsoft documentation for SIGN. You can also experiment with this function in your Power BI reports to explore its capabilities.
If you’re looking to unlock the full potential of Power BI and take your data insights to the next level, our expert Power BI consulting services are here to help. Whether you need assistance with implementing advanced DAX functions like the ones discussed here, creating interactive dashboards, or optimizing your data models for better performance, our team of seasoned Power BI consultants is ready to provide tailored solutions for your business. Visit our Power BI Consulting page to learn more about how we can empower your organization with data-driven decisions.
The SIGN function returns 0 for any input equal to zero.
Yes, the function can be applied to columns to determine the sign of each value in the column.
The function helps categorize transactions as gains (positive), losses (negative), or neutral (zero).
The function returns an error if the input is non-numeric.
No, SIGN determines the direction of a number, while ABS returns the magnitude regardless of the sign.
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