CSL, 15 December 2023
This month’s Power BI update is a little light, but here are a couple of the key highlights.
This month’s feature summary includes some improvements in reporting, Azure Maps clustering aggregation support for bubble layer and an improved PowerPoint add-in. Also announced is a delay in the build for Power BI Desktop. Keep an eye out when it is announced in the desktop download next week.
Full highlights are below. As with previous updates, any new features in Preview, means you will need to ensure you’ve selected ‘Preview Features’ in the Options & Settings menu pane.
Reporting
On-object Interaction updates (Preview)
A new on-object default setup has arrived. In a drive to give users more flexibility in how they prefer to work with the PBI editor, this month the introduction of a new default setup that feels closer to the previous classic look. This new default will help users to preset the following options with just one click.
- Move the “build a visual” menu to the pane switcher by default
- Show both build and data panes expanded by default
- Format pane in the pane switcher by default
- “Always open in new pane” set to ON, thereby stacking panes by default
- Collapse panes to the pane switcher instead of close “X” by default
If you like your existing on-object setup and do not wish to have a more classic look, choose Keep setup and no changes will be made. But here are the settings for the new default setup, if you want that option:
Multi-select in data flyout
When first adding data using the new “add data” button, the data flyout now allows you to multi-select fields to add fields in bulk to your visual. Simply check all the fields you’d like to add to your visual in one go.
This works best when “suggest a type” is ON so you can add as many fields as you like and PBI will place the fields in the appropriate field wells for you.
Extended customization for data labels
There are some new enhanced capabilities for Data labels, giving users extended customisation choices to seamlessly match reporting needs. It also brings the simple integration of additional metrics, dramatically improving the data analysis experience.
Key Enhancements include:
- Title: The new Title card feature enables the display of legend fields on data labels, offering the option to omit the legend for a cleaner look. It also allows customized data label titles using different data fields, adjustable font style, colour, and transparency.
- Value: Easily spot the active field for data label in the field well. Modifying it to another field is quick and easy, with customisation options like font, colour, transparency, plus a new feature for blank value display.
- Detail: The new Detail card feature unlocks new potential by allowing the inclusion of a secondary metric to data labels. Choose any field to add an extra value, with the full range of formatting options available.
- Visual label layout: A new feature that lets users choose between a sleek single-line data label or a multi-line data label, where desired.
Azure Maps clustering aggregation support for bubble layer
Microsoft has brought in an enhancement to the Power BI Azure Maps visual – the clustering aggregation feature for the bubble layer with customisable styling options.
This new capability enables users to dynamically aggregate data within bubble layers based on distinct zoom levels whilst also enabling users to tailor the visual representation of clustered data.
This level of customisation enhances the user experience by allowing them to visually highlight and emphasise specific aspects of the data, creating more impactful and informative geospatial visualisations.
Service
Storytelling in PowerPoint
This month introduces a new feature for the Power BI add-in for PowerPoint that makes it easier to find and insert the Power BI reports needed for a presentation.
When adding the Power BI add-in to a slide, the add-in automatically scans the title of the slide and suggests Power BI content that might be relevant.
The add-in also shows reports that have recently been visited in Power BI, so users can easily access reports they’re currently working on or frequently use.
Once the report that is wanted is found, it is possible to choose to insert a complete page or a specific visual from the report. Users can also update filters or slicers before inserting the selection. Filter and slicer values are saved together with the report or visual that has been picked.
Visualisations
To Wrap Up The Power BI Update December 2023
That wraps up our summary on the key points of interest delivered with this month’s update. You can find the full summary here. Due to the holidays, Microsoft will not publish the monthly feature summary blog in January 2024.
For support in getting the most out of Power BI, please call us on 01483 528302 or email info@csl-uk.com, or read more about how our Power BI experts can support you here.
