While working on one of my Power BI reports, I realized my dataset wasn’t in the format I needed. After applying filters and validation rules, I wanted to add a column with a fixed value for each row. So, I started researching and found that Power BI offers multiple ways to add a fixed-value column, depending on where and how we want to use it.
In this tutorial, I will explain how to add columns with a Fixed Value in Power BI.
Add a Fixed Value Column in Power Query
For this example, I want to add a new column named “SalesChannel” and set its value to “Online Store” for every row in your Sales dataset.
This method is ideal when you want the value to become a permanent part of your dataset before it even reaches the data model.
Follow the steps below:
- In Power BI Desktop, go to the Home tab and select Transform data. This opens Power Query Editor.
- In the Queries pane on the left, click the table where you want to add the fixed-value column.
- At the top, select the Add Column tab. Choose Custom Column from the ribbon.
- In the dialog box, give your column a meaningful name. For example, SalesChannel. In the formula box, simply type your fixed value using quotes (for text) or without quotes (for numbers). Click OK.
A new column with the same value in every row will be added. Check the screenshot below.
Add a Fixed Value Column Using a DAX Calculated Column in Power BI
This method is practical when you want to add the column after the data has already been loaded into the model. Unlike Power Query, DAX calculated columns do not modify the source data; they only exist inside the data model.
In this example, we will add a fixed date to every row.
Follow the steps below:
- In Power BI Desktop, switch to the Data View (table icon on the left).
- Select the table where you want to add the fixed-value column.
- Go to the Table tools tab in the ribbon. Click New column.
- In the formula bar, enter a DAX expression that returns a fixed date. For example:
ReportDate = DATE(2026, 01, 01)or
ReportDate = "2026-01-01"