Totals

"Total" sounds simple, but DAX offers several different kinds depending on which filters should — and shouldn't — apply.

Total
  |
  +-- Filtered total (respects slicers/filters)
  |
  +-- Grand total (ignores row-level filters)
  |
  +-- Total ignoring one specific filter

Basic Total

A simple SUM() respects whatever filter context is currently active.

Total Sales =
SUM(FactSales[SalesAmount])

In a table visual grouped by Category, this measure automatically returns the total for each category, because the visual applies a filter per row.

Grand Total (Ignoring All Filters)

ALL() removes filters from a table or column, producing a true grand total regardless of the current selection.

Grand Total Sales =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    ALL(FactSales)
)

Every row in a table visual using this measure shows the same overall total, ignoring the row's own category.

Percent of Grand Total

Combining a filtered total with a grand total produces a percentage of the whole.

Sales % of Total =
DIVIDE(
    [Total Sales],
    [Grand Total Sales]
)

Each row shows its own share of the overall total — see Percent of Total for a closer look at this pattern.

Total Ignoring One Specific Filter

ALL() can target a single column instead of an entire table, removing just that filter while keeping others active.

Sales Ignoring Region =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    ALL(DimStore[Region])
)

This keeps filters like Category or Date active, while ignoring whatever Region is currently selected.

Total Within a Group, Ignoring Sub-Filters

ALLEXCEPT() removes all filters except the ones explicitly listed, useful for a subtotal that should stay fixed within a larger group.

Sales Within Category =
CALCULATE(
    [Total Sales],
    ALLEXCEPT(DimProduct, DimProduct[Category])
)

This ignores filters on every DimProduct column except Category, producing a total for the whole category regardless of which specific product row is being evaluated.

Comparing the Patterns

Example Output

Category  | Sales   | % of Total
----------|---------|------------
Bikes     | 45,000  | 60%
Gear      | 20,000  | 27%
Apparel   | 10,000  | 13%
Total     | 75,000  | 100%

The % of Total column comes from dividing each row's filtered total by the unfiltered grand total.

Best Practices

• Reuse a base measure (like [Total Sales]) inside CALCULATE() rather than repeating the same SUM() expression everywhere.
• Prefer ALLEXCEPT() over listing multiple ALL() calls when a subtotal needs to ignore several columns except one or two.
• Be explicit about which filters a "total" should ignore — an unlabeled measure named Total can mean different things to different people.
• Test totals measures inside a table visual with grouping, not just as a single card, to confirm the filter behavior is correct.

Common Mistakes

Confusing SUM() with a Grand Total

A plain SUM() still respects the current filter context. Without ALL(), it is not a grand total — it's just the total for whatever is currently selected.

Removing Too Many Filters

Using ALL(FactSales) when only one column's filter needed to be ignored removes every filter on that table, which can silently produce a much bigger number than intended.

Dividing by Zero

Sales % of Total using plain division can error when the grand total is zero. Use DIVIDE(), which returns blank instead of an error by default.

Totals Checklist

Before publishing totals-related measures:

• Grand total measures explicitly use ALL() or ALLEXCEPT(), not just SUM().
• Percentage measures use DIVIDE(), not the / operator.
• Measure names make clear what kind of total they represent.
• Totals have been tested inside a grouped table, not just a single card visual.

Next Steps

Continue exploring DAX patterns:

• Ranking
• Percent of Total
• Running Total
• Earned Value Management (EVM) Metrics
• Risk Score & Heat Map
• Coverage & Verification
• Reliability Metrics (MTBF, MTTR & Availability)
• ALL, ALLEXCEPT, ALLSELECTED & REMOVEFILTERS