Power BI could be considered the powerhouse of business intelligence, transforming raw data into meaningful reports. Organizations in data-driven cities like Chicago have all relied on Power BI for their insights demand, and the thirst for more personalized, interactive, and intuitive reports will only keep growing. Custom visuals are seen as increasingly complex and sophisticated design solutions that aim to propel Power BI reporting to the next level.
Why Customize Power BI Reports?
Power BI is replete with a wide assortment of built-in visuals. However, these may not be sufficient to tell specific business data stories. Customization of reports allows businesses to build relevant visualizations for a specific need that makes it more accessible, exciting, and aligned with the vision of the organization.
What Are Power BI Custom Visuals?
Personalized visuals are defined as either user-created or third-party visuals, which can be imported to Power BI. They allow users to reveal data formats that surpass the basic bar charts and pie graphs. These would include formats such as advanced maps, gauges, flow diagrams, etc.
Common Types of Custom Visuals
- Charts (e.g., bullet, radial, sunburst)
- Maps (e.g., custom region mapping, heatmaps)
- Gauges and Indicators
- Visual Slicers (e.g., Chiclet Slicer)
- Interactive Panels (e.g., Synoptic Panel)
The above visuals come with some useful functions along with appeal that cannot be found in the default Power BI library, with the option of having the users position their reports to business-specific metrics.
Benefits of Custom Visuals
- Improved Clarity: Some visuals make complex data sets easier to digest.
- Business Alignment: Tailor your dashboards to industry-specific KPIs.
- Enhanced Engagement: Users are more likely to explore reports that are interactive and visually appealing.
- Better Data Storytelling: Custom visuals help convey the why behind the data, not just the what.
How to Use Custom Visuals in Power BI
Importing a custom visual is simple:
- Open Power BI Desktop.
- Click on the “…” (ellipsis) in the Visualizations pane.
- Choose “Import from marketplace” or “Import from file.”
- Search for the desired visual and add it to your report.
Tips for Success
- Match the visual type to your data structure.
- Avoid clutter—too many visuals can confuse rather than clarify.
- Test visuals on different screen sizes to ensure responsiveness.
Top Custom Visuals to Try
- Synoptic Panel by OKViz: Great for mapping data onto custom shapes like floor plans or retail layouts.
- Chiclet Slicer: Offers image-based filtering options for a cleaner user interface.
- KPI Indicator: Easily track performance against goals with color-coded visuals.
Use Case Example:
The Synoptic Panel might be used by a manufacturing company to present real-time data across the various zones of its factory, while the Chiclet Slicer enables a retail business to filter sales by product images to make quick comparisons.
Blending Custom and Standard Features
Custom visuals work best when combined with Power BI’s built-in features:
- Use DAX formulas to calculate dynamic metrics.
- Add slicers and drill-through filters to allow users to explore specific data points.
- Pair standard visuals with custom ones to create a balanced, performance-optimized dashboard.
Challenges to Watch For
- Performance Issues: Overuse of visuals can slow down your report.
- Compatibility: Some custom visuals may not update in sync with Power BI updates.
- Licensing: While many visuals are free, premium visuals may require additional licenses or subscriptions.
Why Custom Visuals Matter in Business Intelligence
Being flexible and able to change quickly to meet the diverse real-time needs of decision-makers is essential for fast-paced environments such as Chicago’s tech and manufacturing sectors. Custom visuals help to visualize the data in context; thus, making it easier for stakeholders to confidently act. From tracking KPIs, workflows, or sales data to creating context for effective decision-making, custom visuals play an important role.
Some sectors that benefit from data visualizations spoken in their language are healthcare, finance, logistics, and e-commerce: patient flows, investment performance, and delivery routes.
Conclusion
Organizational businesses are embarked on using custom visuals more than adding nice-to-haves; they become the essentials of any serious organization committed to gaining business intelligence. Business institutions can convert their simple, above-condition reports into narratives motivating activity and impact by adopting them.
Even as Power BI continues to release new features, it will open avenues for innovation in reporting with more custom visuals and enhancements.
Call to Action
Cyber Bark LLC focuses primarily on implementing and training in Power BI. We want to help you to get the most from your data through custom engaging insightful visualization.
FAQ
Q: Are Power BI custom visuals free to use?
A: Many are free from the AppSource marketplace, but some may require a subscription or license.
Q: How do I know if a custom visual is trustworthy?
A: Check if it’s certified by Microsoft or has positive reviews in the marketplace.
Q: Can custom visuals be used in Power BI Service and Mobile?
A: Yes, most custom visuals work across platforms, but always test for compatibility.
Q: Will custom visuals slow down my reports?
A: Too many visuals or poorly optimized visuals can affect performance. Use them wisely.
Q: What’s the difference between certified and uncertified visuals?
A: Certified visuals meet Microsoft’s performance and security standards.
