Power BI Day 2 Wandering

Data is a precious thing and will last longer than the systems themselves – Tim Berners-Lee

Power BI is a powerful tool for data visualization and business intelligence. On Day 2 of learning Power BI, we delve into slicers and formatting, which are crucial for creating interactive and visually appealing reports.

Power BI is a robust business analytics tool that offers a variety of features to enhance data visualization and reporting. On your second day of learning Power BI, focusing on slicers and formatting can significantly improve the interactivity and aesthetics of your reports.

Power BI Day 2: Slicers and Formatting

Slicers in Power BI

Slicers are interactive controls that allow users to filter data displayed in reports. They act as visual filters and can be placed directly onto a report canvas.

Types of Slicers

1. List Slicers: Display data values in a list format.
2. Dropdown Slicers: Compact and ideal for saving space, showing a list when clicked.
3. Date Range Slicers: Allow users to filter data within a specific date range.
4. Numeric Range Slicers: Enable filtering numeric data within a set range.
5. Hierarchy Slicers: Provide a way to navigate through hierarchical data.
6. Tile Slicers: Display data values in tile format for a more visual selection.

Example of a List Slicer

- Create a new slicer and choose a field, such as 'Product Category'.
- Drag the slicer onto the report canvas.
- The slicer will display all categories, allowing users to select one or multiple.        

Formatting in Power BI

Formatting options in Power BI allow you to customize the appearance of your data and reports.

Formatting Options

1. Colors: Change the color of text, backgrounds, and data visualizations.
2. Text Size: Adjust the size of the text for better readability.
3. Font Style: Choose from various font styles to match your report’s theme.
4. Conditional Formatting: Apply formatting rules based on data values or metrics.
5. Gridlines and Borders: Add or remove gridlines and borders for clarity.

Example of Conditional Formatting

- Select a matrix visual and go to the 'Format' pane.
- Under 'Conditional Formatting', choose 'Background color'.
- Set rules to color cells based on their values, such as sales thresholds.        

Resources for Further Learning

• Slicers in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
• Power BI Slicer Tutorial: A Comprehensive Guide to Enhancing Your Reports | DataCamp
• Slicers in Power BI - Examples, How to Add & Format Slicers? (excelmojo.com)
• Power BI Slicers - Complete Guide - Cheat Sheet PDF [2024] (projectcubicle.com)
• What is Power BI Slicer? A Beginners Guide for Power BI Slicer (mindmajix.com)
• 6 Ways to Format Numbers in Power BI - Power Tech Tips
• Formatting Data in Power BI Desktop Visualizations - {coding}Sight (codingsight.com)
• Tips and tricks for formatting in reports - Power BI | Microsoft Learn
• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/power-bi-slicer/

Video's for Further Learning

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XciwaHASWGc

My Practice File for Further Learning

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-eaFCEkR0p8nbAf2kiAVwl9Rm3fabaDz/view?usp=sharing

Conclusion

On Day 2 of learning Power BI, mastering slicers and formatting is essential for creating interactive and visually compelling reports. Slicers enhance the interactivity, allowing users to filter data dynamically, while formatting ensures that your reports are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. By applying these techniques, you can transform raw data into insightful and engaging reports.

Feel free to use this structure and information as a starting point for your blog post. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep exploring and experimenting with different visuals! ??