What CONTAINSSTRING does
Check whether text contains a word or phrase. In Power BI, the key is not only the formula itself but how it behaves with slicers, relationships, visuals and totals.
Syntax or pattern
CONTAINSSTRING(within_text, find_text)5 practical business examples
CONTAINSSTRING in a sales report
Show a measure as text for a title or label.
Sales Label = FORMAT([Total Sales], "$#,0")Use FORMAT for labels, not measures you need to chart as numbers.
Join selected products
Display selected products in a title.
Selected Products = CONCATENATEX(VALUES(Products[Product Name]), Products[Product Name], ", ")Useful for dynamic titles and tooltips.
Extract a code prefix
Return the first characters from a code.
Region Code = LEFT(Sales[Order Code], 3)Useful for calculated columns when codes contain meaning.
Check text contains priority
Identify priority tickets.
Priority Flag = IF(CONTAINSSTRING(Tickets[Subject], "urgent"), "Urgent", "Standard")Good for simple text classification.
Create readable KPI label
Combine text and a formatted measure.
KPI Label = "Sales: " & FORMAT([Total Sales], "$#,0")Useful for cards, titles and tooltips.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using CONTAINSSTRING before checking whether the data model has the right relationships and filter direction.
- Writing one complex measure instead of creating simple base measures first.
- Testing only at the total level and not checking row, category and date contexts.
- Forgetting that slicers, visuals and relationships can all change the filter context.
FAQ
When should I use CONTAINSSTRING in DAX?
Use CONTAINSSTRING when the calculation pattern matches the business question and the result behaves correctly in the current filter context.
Why is my CONTAINSSTRING measure returning the wrong total?
Most total issues come from row context, filter context, relationships, or using a column aggregation where an iterator or CALCULATE pattern is needed.
Can I use this CONTAINSSTRING pattern in a calculated column?
Some patterns work in calculated columns, but most reporting calculations should be measures so they respond to slicers and report filters.
Here are some ideas for you
Optional resources that may help if you are learning Power BI, building dashboards, or writing DAX measures often.
- Power BI booksSee ideas
Learn modeling, report design and DAX patterns with structured references.
- DAX booksSee ideas
Keep a DAX reference close when building measures and troubleshooting context.
- Data visualization booksSee ideas
Improve charts, dashboards and storytelling beyond the formula itself.
- Ultrawide monitorsSee ideas
Useful for viewing the report canvas, data model and DAX editor side by side.
- Ergonomic mouseSee ideas
Helpful during long report-building and data-modeling sessions.
- Dashboard planning notebooksSee ideas
Sketch relationships, measures and report layouts before building.
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