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How to Remove Sum of Headers and Grand Totals in Power BI

Amos Gikunda Oct 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to remove or rename the default 'Sum of' text from visual headers and hide the grand totals at the bottom of a Power BI table or matrix.

How to Remove Sum of Headers and Grand Totals in Power BI

Product: Power BI
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing table or matrix visuals to improve readability without altering underlying data values.
Observed behavior: Power BI automatically adds 'Sum of' to column headers when aggregating data and displays a Grand Total row by default.

Before you start

Ensure you have editing permissions for the Power BI report and that the Fields pane and Format visual pane are accessible on your screen.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Explicit Measures and Format Settings

Create custom measures to fully control column header names and use the formatting pane to toggle off grand totals.

When you drag a numeric column into a visual, Power BI uses implicit aggregations, which forces the 'Sum of' prefix. Creating an explicit DAX measure allows you to name the header exactly as you want without affecting the data.

Create a new measure

Right-click your dataset table in the Fields pane and select 'New measure'.

Write the DAX formula

Write an explicit DAX measure in the formula bar (e.g., Total Sales = SUM(Table[Sales])) and press Enter.

Replace the implicit column

Remove the original aggregated column in your visual and replace it with the newly created measure. The header will now display the exact name of your measure.

Open the Format pane

To hide the bottom totals, select your table or matrix visual, then go to the 'Format your visual' pane (the paintbrush icon).

Turn off Grand Totals

Expand the 'Totals' or 'Grand totals' section and toggle the switch to 'Off'.

Use Explicit Measures and Format Settings

Alternative visual renaming: If you do not want to write DAX measures, you can double-click the field directly in the 'Values' well of the Visualizations pane and type a new name. This renames the header for that specific visual only.

Powerful Data Analysis in WPS

Manage Data Totals and Headers Easily in WPS Spreadsheet

If you are summarizing data and need precise control over column headers and grand totals, WPS Spreadsheet offers intuitive Pivot Table features. You can easily rename headers and hide grand totals without writing complex DAX formulas.

1. Insert a Pivot Table: Select your data range, go to the 'Insert' tab, and click 'PivotTable'.
2. Rename Headers: Click directly on the 'Sum of...' header in your Pivot Table and type your preferred name. Add a trailing space if the new name matches an existing source column name.
3. Remove Grand Totals: Go to the 'PivotTable Tools' or 'Design' tab, click 'Grand Totals', and select 'Off for Rows and Columns'.

Rename pivot table headers directly by double-clicking the cellEasily toggle Grand Totals on or off from the Design tabFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsLightweight and free alternative for powerful data analysis

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rename a visual header in Power BI without creating a DAX measure?

Yes, you can double-click the field name directly in the 'Values' well of the Visualizations pane and type a new name. This changes the display name for that specific visual without altering the dataset.

Why does Power BI automatically add 'Sum of' to my columns?

Power BI adds 'Sum of' to indicate that an implicit aggregation has been applied to a numeric column that was dragged directly into a visual. It helps users understand how the raw data is being summarized.

How do I remove column subtotals in a Power BI Matrix visual?

Select the Matrix visual, open the Format pane, expand the 'Row subtotals' or 'Column subtotals' section, and toggle it off to hide intermediate subtotal rows or columns.

Will renaming a field in the Visualizations pane change the underlying dataset?

No, renaming a field in the Visualizations pane only changes the display label for that specific visual, leaving the original dataset column untouched.

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