Power BI: Find Hidden Windows Quickly

Key insights

• Hidden Panes: Power BI and Power Query Editor often look like features disappeared, but they are usually just turned off.
  Check the View menu and the small chevrons at pane edges to reveal hidden windows.
• Queries pane and Query Settings / Applied Steps: Restore the Queries list with the left chevron and enable Applied Steps from View → Query Settings to see transformation history.
  This brings back the query list and step-by-step changes for each query.
• Formula Bar and Parameters: Turn the Formula Bar back on via the View tab to edit M code, and enable Parameters if parameter controls are missing.
  These options restore editing controls and parameter dialogs in Power Query.
• Modern Pane Switcher: In the updated Desktop experience use the Pane Switcher to jump between Filters, Data, Build, Format, and Copilot panes quickly.
  This makes it faster to locate the right workspace without hunting through menus.
• Pane Manager: Use the Pane Manager (View tab) to add, remove, minimize, resize, or hide panes you don’t need.
  If the workspace gets cluttered, use Reset to restore default pane layout.
• Best practices: Keep Power BI updated, tidy your workspace with the View tab, and minimize panes you rarely use to save screen space.
  If a window behaves oddly after restoring, use the Reset option to return to a clean, predictable layout.

Introduction

The recent Pragmatic Works YouTube video walks viewers through practical steps to recover and manage hidden interface elements in Microsoft Power BI and Power Query. The presenter demonstrates how common items such as the Formula Bar, Applied Steps, and various panes can disappear from view and how to restore them with a few clicks. Moreover, the video shows how the modern Power BI Desktop experience uses a Pane Manager to add, remove, and reset panes, which helps keep a busy workspace organized. Consequently, users can save time and reduce frustration by learning these simple recovery steps.

What the Video Covers

First, the tutorial identifies the specific UI elements that often seem to vanish: the Queries pane, Query Settings including Applied Steps, and the Formula Bar. Then, it demonstrates the basic fixes inside the Power Query Editor, such as using the View menu to toggle items back on. Next, the presenter switches to the modern Power BI Desktop and explains the pane switcher, showing how Filters, Data, Build, Format, and Copilot views can be activated or hidden. Finally, the video walks through how to resize, minimize, and reset panes when a workspace becomes cluttered.

Restoring Missing Panes in Power Query

In practice, the first step is to check obvious toggles rather than assuming a feature is removed. For example, the video shows that the Queries pane can be restored by clicking a small chevron, while the Applied Steps list returns via View > Query Settings. Similarly, turning the Formula Bar back on requires only the View tab, which many users overlook during a long session. Therefore, the presenter emphasizes routine checks of menu items before more drastic troubleshooting.

Moreover, the video points out parameter options that may appear missing but are actually disabled in settings, and it guides users to enable the Parameters section when needed. This practical approach reduces time spent searching support forums and can prevent unnecessary restarts or reinstalls. However, users should note that changes in one version of Power BI may look different in another, so the exact menu names and locations can vary. As a result, the method of toggling UI elements remains consistent even when labels shift slightly over different releases.

Managing Panes in the Modern Power BI Desktop

The video highlights the redesigned workspace in modern Power BI Desktop, where a Pane Manager centralizes control of view elements. Through the View tab, users can open the pane manager to add or remove panes like Filters and Data, making it easier to tailor the workspace to specific tasks such as modeling or report layout. In addition, the presenter shows how to minimize or resize panes to reclaim screen real estate, which proves helpful for users working on laptops or multi-monitor setups. Consequently, this feature improves focus while preserving quick access to commonly used panes.

Nevertheless, managing many panes introduces tradeoffs that the video addresses directly. On one hand, having more panes visible speeds access to tools and context; on the other hand, an overly busy layout can distract and slow down performance depending on system resources. Therefore, the video suggests a balanced approach: keep essential panes visible and use the pane manager to bring others in only when needed. This strategy reduces clutter while still allowing quick recovery of hidden elements.

Tradeoffs and Practical Challenges

Restoring and managing panes presents a few practical challenges that the video explains with real-world examples. For instance, users may experience different behaviors when recovering a window from the taskbar, such as windows restoring at half-size; recent updates have addressed some of these quirks, but inconsistent behavior may persist across platforms and versions. Moreover, while toggling panes is straightforward, remembering the original layout can be difficult without a saved workspace; as a result, the presenter recommends periodic resets and manual notes for personalized layouts. These steps help reduce the friction when a layout unintentionally changes.

Another challenge lies in version differences and organizational policies that lock certain features. In some environments, an update might change menu placements or disable experimental panes by default, so administrators and users must coordinate on updates and settings. Consequently, the video recommends checking both local settings and organizational policies if a pane cannot be restored. In short, balancing convenience, performance, and consistency requires a mix of awareness and small governance steps.

Practical Tips and Takeaways

To conclude, the Pragmatic Works video delivers clear, actionable guidance: check the View tab first, use the chevron or pane manager to restore visibility, and reset panes when necessary. In addition, the presenter stresses routine housekeeping, such as minimizing only what you do not need and resetting layouts periodically to maintain a predictable workspace. Finally, the overall takeaway is that most "missing" features are simply toggled off or hidden, and learning these recovery steps can restore productivity quickly. Thus, users should adopt a few simple habits to avoid prolonged disruptions and make Power BI more reliable for everyday use.

Keywords

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