PowerBi Tips: Flag Key Data Trends with Visual Calculations

Key insights

• Visual Calculations in Power BI allow users to perform DAX calculations directly on visualizations, simplifying data analysis by focusing only on the data present in the visual.


• This feature enhances user interaction by enabling calculations like running sums and moving averages without modifying the underlying semantic model, thus saving time and effort.


• To start using Visual Calculations, enable them through Power BI Desktop's Preview Features, select a visual, and write DAX expressions using fields present in that visual.


• The approach improves efficiency by allowing complex DAX operations at the visual level and provides templates for common formulas to facilitate quick implementation.


• Current limitations include restrictions to fields already included in the visual. Future enhancements may expand capabilities to use additional fields not present initially.


• A practical example demonstrates how Visual Calculations simplify conditional formatting tasks by eliminating complex measures, with adjustments possible through changing slicing columns within visuals.

Introduction to Visual Calculations

Visual Calculations is an innovative feature in Power BI that empowers users to define and execute DAX calculations directly on visualizations within reports. This breakthrough simplifies data analysis by enabling calculations to be performed at the visual level, leveraging only the data present in that visual. Consequently, this approach streamlines business calculations such as running sums or moving averages, making complex analyses more accessible.

What is This Technology About?

Visual Calculations is specifically designed to enhance how users interact with data within Power BI visuals. It allows for the creation of new calculations directly within a visual, such as tables or charts, without the need to delve into the underlying semantic model. This feature supports common business calculations but is limited to fields already included in the visual, making it a straightforward and focused tool for on-the-spot data analysis.

Advantages of Using Visual Calculations

The advantages of using Visual Calculations are numerous:

• Simplified Calculation Process: Users can create complex calculations like running sums or moving averages with ease, without needing to navigate through the entire data model.
• Time-Saving: This feature eliminates the complexity of working with multiple measures or columns across the entire data model, focusing only on the relevant fields present in the visual.
• Flexibility and Speed: Visual Calculations can be applied and updated rapidly, allowing users to see the impact of different calculations in real-time, which is particularly useful for exploratory analysis or quick insights.

Basics of the Technology

To get started with Visual Calculations, follow these steps:

• Enable Visual Calculations: Go to Power BI Desktop's Options and Settings, select Preview Features, and enable Visual Calculations. This requires restarting Power BI Desktop.
• Select a Visual: Choose a visual (like a table or bar chart) where you want to apply calculations.
• Open the Formula Bar: Click on the "New Calculation" button in the ribbon to enter DAX expressions. Here, you can write formulas using fields present in the visual.
• Use Templates for Common Calculations: Power BI provides templates for frequent calculations, which can be accessed by selecting the "Template" button and choosing an appropriate template.

What is New About This Approach?

The new aspect of Visual Calculations is its ability to perform complex DAX operations at the visual level, without the need to extend the semantic model. This approach:

• Enhances User Experience: Simplifies DAX calculations by focusing only on data visible in the visual.
• Improves Efficiency: Allows for quick implementation and testing of new calculations without modifying the underlying data model.
• Introduces Templates for Common Formulas: Offers ready-to-use templates for common calculations, making it easier for users to get started.

Limitations and Future Directions

Currently, Visual Calculations are restricted to using only fields that are already included in the visual. This means that if you need to incorporate additional fields not present in the visual, you would typically need to create a new measure in the data model or adjust the visual to include those fields. There are ongoing discussions about expanding this feature to allow filtering conditions on individual measures using fields not included in the visual, but such enhancements are not yet available.

Exploring Visual Calculations in Practice

In an in-depth Power BI tutorial, Wyn Hopkins demonstrates how to dynamically flag the highest values in visuals using both DAX formulas and the emerging visual level calculations feature. The walkthrough shows how changing selections automatically updates highlighted peaks, enhancing interactivity. While visual level calculations are still a preview feature with a few quirks, the video dives into how to enable and apply them to streamline conditional formatting, saving users from complex DAX.

Challenges and Workarounds

The video also explores some common bugs and limitations with visual level calculations, like disappearing formulas and restricted field references, along with clever workarounds. Additionally, there’s a bonus trick on how to use a global color highlight measure, so you can instantly update your report's theme. Whether you're an experienced Power BI user or experimenting with visuals, this practical guide will help you level up your reporting game.

Comparing DAX vs Visual Calculations

At SQLBI, there are mixed feelings about visual calculations. On one hand, several simple calculations can be performed on the visual in a simple way. On the other hand, as soon as the calculation becomes a bit more complex, visual calculations are extremely hard to create – even for seasoned DAX developers. However, visual calculations are incredibly convenient when it comes to calculations that are specifically tied to a visual. Visual calculations can be used to control conditional formatting starting with the February 2025 version of Power BI. Several small details must be known to use them, but they are definitely worth learning. For instance, creating a measure to color sales amounts based on comparison with average sales can be simplified with visual calculations. The visual calculation does not contain any reference to specific categories, hence it works on a visual slicing by any column, making it more flexible and adaptable.

Conclusion

Visual calculations and conditional formatting work together, and it is a match made in heaven. Next time you need a measure to conditional format your report, consider giving visual calculations a try. Despite some limitations and the fact that it is still a preview feature, the potential of visual calculations to simplify complex tasks and enhance user experience is undeniable. As Power BI continues to evolve, these features are expected to become more refined and robust, offering even greater capabilities for data analysis and visualization.

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