Visualization Options in Power BI

Last updated on Sep 27 2021
Bhavin Mukherjee

Table of Contents

Visualization Options in Power BI

In this blog, you’ll study about the varied visualization options in Power BI.

Creating Simple Visualizations

Visualizations are won’t to effectively present your data and are the essential building blocks of any Business Intelligence tool. Power BI contains varied default data visualization components that include simple bar charts to pie charts to maps, and also complex models such as waterfalls, funnels, gauges, and lots of other components.

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Visualizations

In Power BI, you’ll create visualization in two ways. First is by adding from the right side pane to Report Canvas. By default, it’s the table type visualization, which is selected in Power BI. Another way is to drag the fields from right side bar to the axis and value axis under Visualization. You’ll add multiple fields to each axis as per the requirement.

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Fields

In Power BI, it’s also possible to maneuver visualization on the reporting canvas by clicking and then dragging it. You’ll also switch between different type of charts and visualizations from the Visualization pane. Power BI attempts to convert your selected fields to the replacement visual type as closely as possible.

Creating Map Visualizations

In Power BI, we have two types of map visualization – bubble maps and shape maps. If you want to create a bubble map, select the map option from the visualization pane.

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Map Visualizations

To use a bubble map, drag the map from Visualizations to the Report Canvas. To display values, you have to add any location object to the axis.

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Bubble map

Within the value fields, you’ll see that it accepts values axis such as City and State and or you’ll also add longitude and latitude values. To change the bubble size, you need to add a field to the value axis.
You’ll also use a filled map in data visualization, just by dragging the filled map to the Report Canvas.

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Report Canvas

Note − If you see a warning symbol on top of your map visualization, it means that you need to add more locations to your map chart.

Using Combination Charts

In data visualization, it’s also required to plot multiple measures in a single chart. Power BI supports varied combination chart types to plot measure values. Let us say you want to plot revenue and unit_solds in one chart. Combination charts are the most suitable option for this kind of requirement.
One of the most common Combination charts in Power BI is Line and Stacked column charts. Let us say we have a revenue field and we have added a replacement data source that contains customer-wise unit quantity and we want to plot this in our visualization.

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Plot

Once you add a data source, it will be added to the list of fields on the right side. You’ll add units to the column axis as shown within the following screenshot.

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Column axis

You have other type of combine chart that you’ll use in Power BI – Line and Clustered Column.

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Line and Clustered Column

Using Tables

In Power BI, when you add a dataset to your visualization, it adds a table chart to the Report canvas. You’ll drag the fields that you want to add to the report. You’ll also select the checkbox in front of each field to add those to the Report area.
With the numerical values in a table, you’ll see a sum of values at the bottom.

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Values

You’ll also perform a sort within the table using an arrow key at the top of the column. To perform ascending/descending sort, just click the arrow mark, and the values within the column will be sorted.

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Sort

The order of the columns in a table is determined by the order within the value bucket on the right side. If you want to change the order, you’ll delete any column and add the other one.

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Order

You’ll also undo summarize or apply different aggregate function on numerical values within the table. To change the aggregation type, click the arrow within the value bucket in front of the measure and you’ll see a list of formulas that can be used.

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Value bucket

Another table type in Power BI is the matrix table that provides a lot of features such as auto sizing, column tables, and setting colors, etc.

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Matrix table

Modify Colors in Charts

In Power BI, you’ll also modify the colors within the chart. When you select any visualization, it has an option to change the color. Following options are available under the Format tab −
• Legend
• Data Colors
• Detail Label
• Title
• Background
• Lock Aspect
• Border
• General
To open these options, go to the Format tab as shown within the following screenshot. Once you click, you’ll see all the options available.

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Format tab

When you expand the Legend field, you have an option where you want to display the legend. You’ll select −
• Position
• Title
• Legend Name
• Color
• Text Size
• Font Family

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Legend field

Similarly, you have data colors. In case, you want to change the color of any data field, you’ll use this option. It shows all objects and their corresponding colors within the chart.

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Data colors

You also have Analytics feature within the tool, where you’ll draw lines as per requirement in data visualization. You have the following line types in data visualization −
• Constant Line
• Min Line
• Max Line
• Average Line
• Median Line
• Percentile Line

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Analytics feature

You’ll opt for a dashed, dotted, or a solid line. You’ll select Transparency level, color, and position of the line. You’ll also switch on/off data label for this line.

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Line

Adding Shapes, Images and Text box

Sometimes it’s required that you need to add static text, images, or shapes to your visualization. In case you want to add header/footer or any static signatures, messages to data visualization this option can be used.
You’ll also add URLs within the text box and Power BI uses those link to make it live.
To add shapes, images and text box, navigate to the Home tab and at the top you’ll find an option to add images.

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Shapes

You’ll insert different shapes in data visualization. To see the available shapes, click the arrow next to the Shapes button.

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Insert

When you click on the text box, it adds a text box in your Report canvas. You’ll enter any text within the text box and use the rich text editor to make formatting changes.

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Report

Similarly, images can be added to data visualization to add logos or other images to data visualization. When you click the Image option, it asks for a path to pass the image file.
You’ll add shapes by selecting any shape from the dropdown list. You’ll also resize it using different options.

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Dropdown list

Styling Reports

In Power BI, you have flexible options to adjust the page layout and formatting such as orientation and page size of your report. Navigate to Page View menu from the Home tab and the following options are provided.
• Fit to Page
• Fit to Width
• Actual Size

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View menu

By default, the page size in a report is 16:9; however, it’s also possible to change the page size of the report. To change the page size, navigate to the Visualization pane and select Paint brush.
Note − To change page size, no visualization should be added to the Report canvas. You have the following options available under Page layout −
• Page Information
• Page Size
• Page Background
Under Page Information, you have Name and Q&A.
Under Page Size, you’ll select from the following options −
• Type
• Width
• Height

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Page Size

Under Page Background, you’ll select from the following options:
• Color
• Transparency
• Add Image

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Page Background

Duplicating Reports

In some scenarios, you’ll want to use the equivalent layout and visuals for different pages. Power BI provides an option to create a copy of the page. When you use Duplicate Page option, a replacement page is added with similar layout and visuals.
To duplicate a page, right-click the Page and select Duplicate Page option. This will create a copy of the equivalent page with the name – Duplicate of Page1.

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Duplicate Page

Now, if you would like to rename an existing page or delete a page, you’ll use other options as shown within the above screenshot.
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