What replaces DAX in Google Sheets?
DAX is Excel's Power Pivot formula language for measures and relationships. Google Sheets uses regular spreadsheet formulas, QUERY, and pivot calculated fields instead. Complex measures often move to BigQuery SQL with Connected Sheets.
When to use it
Use QUERY, pivot values, or warehouse SQL when Excel reports relied on DAX measures.
When to skip it
Skip DAX rewrites when a simple SUMIFS on a flat table answers the question.
Better Sheets resources
Related Tutorials
Watch how DAX works
Google Sheets Interface Changes
Related blog posts
Guides that explain DAX in more depth.
Related terms
Power Pivot
Power Pivot adds an in-workbook data model and DAX in Excel. Google Sheets has no identical model; use Connected Sheets with BigQuery, pivot tables on large IMPORT ranges, or QUERY for relationships. Heavy models usually belong in the warehouse, not the grid.
Read guide →QUERY
QUERY runs a SQL-like statement against a range of cells and returns a new table of results. You pass a data range, a query string with SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY, and optional headers. It is the fastest way to filter, sort, group, and pivot sheet data without helper columns.
Read guide →Pivot table
A pivot table summarizes a large table without writing SUMIFS for every combination. Drag fields into rows, columns, values, and filters to count deals by rep, sum revenue by month, or average scores by classroom. The pivot updates when you refresh the source range or change the pivot cache.
Read guide →Connected Sheets
Connected Sheets lets you explore very large datasets from BigQuery (and related Google Cloud sources) through a Sheets interface with extracts, pivot-style analysis, and scheduled refresh. You work with a connected tab instead of pasting millions of rows into the grid. It targets analysts who outgrow IMPORTRANGE but still want a spreadsheet UX.
Read guide →VBA
Google Sheets automation runs through Google Apps Script (JavaScript) and recorded macros, not VBA. In Excel, VBA is the desktop language behind macros, UserForms, and many add-ins. Rebuild Excel VBA in Apps Script: triggers, custom menus, and batch range updates replace most workbook automation.
Read guide →Visual Basic
Visual Basic is the language family behind Excel VBA. Google Sheets does not run VB or VBA; the closest equivalent is Google Apps Script, which uses modern JavaScript syntax. Recorded macros in Sheets generate Apps Script you can extend, similar to how Excel's macro recorder outputs VBA.
Read guide →Done reading about DAX?
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