Third-party cyber evaluations involving OpenAI models
openai.com·13h ago
Data Science
Towards AI·Jul 2·5 min read
Visual Calculations Just Went GA.
TL;DR
Data visualization tools often require complex calculations that can be time-consuming. Power BI now offers visual calculations, allowing users to perform running sums and moving averages directly on visuals without writing measures.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should evaluate the use of visual calculations to balance efficiency with governance in data modeling.
Key Takeaways
- Utilize visual calculations for efficiency in data analysis.
- Assess governance implications of using visual calculations.
- Implement a decision framework for calculation methods.
- Monitor for potential model fragmentation with new features.
Full Summary
Power BI has introduced visual calculations and custom totals, which became generally available in May 2026. This feature allows users to perform calculations like running sums, moving averages, and percent-of-parent directly on the visual interface, eliminating the need for complex measure writing.
While this enhances user experience and efficiency, it also poses governance challenges, as calculation logic can become fragmented across visuals. Engineers must consider when to use visual calculations versus traditional methods to avoid potential audit issues.
The decision framework provided helps users navigate these choices effectively. Overall, this update represents a significant shift in how calculation logic is managed within Power BI, impacting data governance practices.