ORDERBY DAX Function (Filter)

The expressions and order directions used to determine the sort order within each partition. Can only be used within a Window function.

Syntax

ORDERBY ( [<OrderBy_Expression> [, [<OrderBy_Direction>] [, <OrderBy_Expression> [, [<OrderBy_Direction>] [, … ] ] ] ] ] )

Parameter	Attributes	Description
OrderBy_Expression	Optional Repeatable	An expression used to determine the sort order.
OrderBy_Direction	Optional Repeatable	Specifies how to sort OrderBy_ColumnName values. It is a two-part value of the form OrderDirection [BlankHandling]. OrderDirection specifies how to sort orderBy_expression values (i.e. ascending or descending). Valid values include: DESC. Alternative value: 0(zero)/FALSE. Sorts in descending order of values of OrderBy_ColumnName. ASC. Alternative value: 1/TRUE. Sorts in ascending order of values of OrderBy_ColumnName . This is the default value if OrderBy_Direction is omitted. BlankHandling part is optional. It specifies how blanks are ordered. Valid values include: BLANKS DEFAULT. This is the default value. The behavior for numerical values is blank values are ordered between zero and negative values. The behavior for strings is blank values are ordered before all strings, including empty strings. BLANKS FIRST. Blanks are always ordered on the beginning, regardless of ascending or descending sorting order. BLANKS LAST. Blanks are always ordered on the end, regardless of ascending or descending sorting order.

Parameter

Attributes

Description

OrderBy_Expression

Optional
Repeatable

An expression used to determine the sort order.

OrderBy_Direction

Optional
Repeatable

Specifies how to sort OrderBy_ColumnName values. It is a two-part value of the form OrderDirection [BlankHandling].

OrderDirection specifies how to sort orderBy_expression values (i.e. ascending or descending). Valid values include:

DESC. Alternative value: 0(zero)/FALSE. Sorts in descending order of values of OrderBy_ColumnName.
ASC. Alternative value: 1/TRUE. Sorts in ascending order of values of OrderBy_ColumnName . This is the default value if OrderBy_Direction is omitted.

BlankHandling part is optional. It specifies how blanks are ordered. Valid values include:

BLANKS DEFAULT. This is the default value. The behavior for numerical values is blank values are ordered between zero and negative values. The behavior for strings is blank values are ordered before all strings, including empty strings.
BLANKS FIRST. Blanks are always ordered on the beginning, regardless of ascending or descending sorting order.
BLANKS LAST. Blanks are always ordered on the end, regardless of ascending or descending sorting order.

This function does not return a value.

This function can only be used within a window function expression (INDEX, OFFSET, WINDOW).

Learn more about ORDERBY in the following articles:

Introducing window functions in DAX
In December 2022, DAX was enriched with window functions: INDEX, OFFSET, and WINDOW. This article introduces the syntax and the basic functionalities of these new features. » Read more
Preparing a data model for Sankey Charts in Power BI
This article describes how to correctly shape a data model and prepare data to use a Sankey Chart as a funnel, considering events related to a customer (contact, trial, subscription, renewal, and others). » Read more
Introducing the RANK window function in DAX
RANK is a new DAX function to rank items based on multiple columns. This article introduces the RANK function and its differences with RANKX. » Read more
Introducing VISUAL SHAPE for visual calculations in Power BI
This article introduces the VISUAL SHAPE clause, which defines a hierarchical structure for a table used in visual calculations. » Read more
Using EXPAND and COLLAPSE in visual calculations
This article provides examples of visual calculations where the use of EXPAND and COLLAPSE is required to obtain the correct result. » Read more
Understanding apply semantics for window functions in DAX
This article explains the unique behavior of apply semantics: a new way of computing table expressions when multiple rows are selected in DAX window functions. » Read more

Other related functions are:

Contributors: Alberto Ferrari, Marco Russo, Daniil Maslyuk