START AT in DAX: Retrieve Data from a Specific Starting Point

What Is START AT in DAX?

START AT is used with ORDER BY to specify the starting value of a DAX query result.

It works with an ordered table expression and begins returning rows from the specified starting position.

The basic syntax is:

EVALUATE
    <Table Expression>
ORDER BY
    <Column>
START AT <Value>

1. START AT with a Number Column

Query

// Start At - Number Column

EVALUATE
    Sales
ORDER BY
    Sales[SalesTerritoryKey]
START AT 4

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1: EVALUATE
EVALUATE returns the result of the table expression.

Step 2: Sales
Sales is the table expression that we want to retrieve.

Step 3: ORDER BY Sales[SalesTerritoryKey]
The result is ordered using SalesTerritoryKey in ascending order.

Step 4: START AT 4
The query starts returning rows from the position where the ordered column reaches 4.

What will you get?

The result begins at the specified starting value and continues with the remaining rows in the ordered result.

The example above is for illustration. Your actual result depends on the data available in the Sales table.

2. START AT with a Text Column

Query

// Start At - Text Column

EVALUATE
    Customer
ORDER BY
    Customer[Customer]
START AT "Evan Carter"

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1: EVALUATE
EVALUATE returns the result of the table expression.

Step 2: Customer
Customer is the table expression that we want to retrieve.

Step 3: ORDER BY Customer[Customer]
The result is ordered using the Customer column in ascending order.

Step 4: START AT “Evan Carter”
The query starts returning rows from the position where the ordered column reaches “Evan Carter”.

What will you get?

The result begins at the specified text value and continues with the remaining rows in the ordered result.

The example above is for illustration. Your actual result depends on the data available in the Customer table.

3. START AT with a Date Column

Query

// Start AT - Date Column

EVALUATE
    'Date'
ORDER BY
    'Date'[Full Date]
START AT
    DATE(2020, 12, 30)

Step-by-step explanation

Step 1: EVALUATE
EVALUATE returns the result of the table expression.

Step 2: ‘Date’
‘Date’ is the table expression that we want to retrieve.

Step 3: ORDER BY ‘Date'[Full Date]
The result is ordered using the Full Date column in ascending order.

Step 4: START AT DATE(2020, 12, 30)
The query starts returning rows from the position where the ordered date reaches December 30, 2020.

What will you get?

The result begins at the specified date and continues with the remaining rows in the ordered result.

The example above is for illustration. Your actual result depends on the data available in the Date table.

Understanding the Difference

Important Notes

1. START AT works with ORDER BY

START AT is used after ORDER BY to define the starting point of the result.

2. The starting value depends on the ordered column

The value specified in START AT should match the data type of the column used in ORDER BY.

3. The result continues from the starting point

START AT does not specify how many rows to return. It defines where the ordered result begins.

4. START AT is useful for exploring large tables

It can help you begin viewing a result from a particular number, name, or date instead of starting from the beginning.

EVALUATE
    Sales
ORDER BY
    Sales[SalesTerritoryKey]
START AT 10

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