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How to Create Insightful Dashboards in Microsoft Power BI

  • Writer: Christian Cooper
    Christian Cooper
  • Jun 25, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago


A man working on laptop


Visualizing data helps make complex information easier to understand. But just making a chart or graph is not enough. To get real value from your data, create reports that explain what the numbers mean.


Clear reports help you find important trends and patterns. This helps decision-makers discover new opportunities and make better choices. Use our detailed analysis to avoid mistakes and get a complete picture.


Get more insights from your data with Dashboard in Microsoft Power BI. Bring together different data points to build reports that give you a clear and useful overview.


Explore what you can do with Microsoft’s BI tool, Power BI.


With Microsoft Power BI, you can see all your data in one place using an easy business intelligence tool. Connect and combine different data sources in one dashboard. Model and visualize your data to find valuable insights.


Unlock the power of over 500 data connectors on our platform, including Salesforce, Excel, and Azure. Save time with our pre-built report templates, designed to deliver rich, actionable insights. Our collaborative dashboard sharing makes teamwork seamless and efficient. Join our platform to unlock your data’s full potential.


How to Create Impressive Data Visualization Reports: Expert Tips


To get started with Microsoft Power BI, you need to:

  1. Signing up for the software

  2. Connecting your data sources

  3. Using its tools to create report visualizations


Learn how to get the most from your Power BI reports with these tips and best practices. Find out how to create reports that stand out.


Appeal to Your Audience: Tips for Efficient Communication


Design your dashboards with the user in mind. Ask what information they need, like sales numbers or productivity tips. Always focus on their needs.

It’s important to communicate data clearly. Use simple language and strong visuals to highlight key points. Adjust your reports to match your audience’s skills and your organization’s goals.


Simplify Your Life: Avoid Overthinking!


The idea of “less is more” works for dashboard design too. If your dashboard is cluttered, it can be hard to find insights. Keep things simple to make your data easier to read.

Keep your reports focused on the most important details. Combine data sets in one report and use stacked bar charts to show more information quickly. Make your dashboard clear so people can find key data without extra scrolling.


Try Different Types of Charts


Show your data in different ways. Use bar, pie, or other chart types to see which works best. When you make a new dashboard, ask your team which chart type they like.


Learn About Power Query


Power Query is a helpful tool for preparing data. It works with both Microsoft Power BI and Excel, and it can help you save time and create better reports.

Take some time to learn how to use this tool for:

  1. Connecting a wide range of data sources to the dashboard

  2. Previewing data queries

  3. Building intuitive queries over many data sources

  4. Defining data size, variety, and velocity


Make Detailed Maps with Bing and Power BI


Make geo-coding easier by using Bing and Power BI together. This integration lets you use Bing’s strong mapping features and default coordinates by following best practices.

Name your columns after the geographic designation when plotting cities on a map. Doing so helps Bing accurately identify your map query.


Be Clear: Explain What’s on the Screen


If executives are confused by new reports, add context with tooltips and text boxes. This helps everyone understand the data and shows your skill in sharing information.

Add context to your data to save time and prevent confusion. A short explanation helps people decide faster and avoid mistakes. Just a few sentences can make a big difference.


Highlight What Matters Most


Maximize the impact of your reports by placing the most important chart in the top left corner, where readers’ eyes naturally start. Arrange succeeding reports in order of significance to ensure their attention is captured. Remember, left to right and top to bottom is how people read.


Highlight your key numbers with bold and large fonts. This helps your audience find the most important information quickly.


Use color coding to make your data easier to read. For example, show high, mid, and low accident levels with green, yellow, and red. This simple step adds helpful context.


Having trouble with Power BI or other Microsoft products? We’re here to help.


Increase your profits with Microsoft 365 and Power BI. We can help you get started or improve your results. Contact us to find out what this platform can do for you.

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