Using custom visuals and extensions in Power BI - AnalysisWithSadiul

Using custom visuals and extensions in Power BI can enhance your reports and make them more effective and visually appealing. Here’s an overview of how to use custom visuals and extensions in Power BI:

Using custom visuals and extensions in Power BI

 

 1. Custom Visuals

Custom visuals in Power BI allow you to go beyond the predefined visuals and add more customized and feature-packed visualizations.

 

 Installing Custom Visuals

 

1. Open Power BI Desktop:

   - Use Power BI Desktop to open your report.

2. Go to Visualizations Pane:

   - In the Visualizations pane, click the "..." (More options) button and select "Get more visuals."

3. Use AppSource:

   - You will be directed to the Power BI AppSource page where you can find a variety of custom visuals.

   - Search for visuals you need, such as Gantt Chart, Heat Map, Word Cloud, etc.

4. Install Visual:

   - Click on your preferred custom visual and then click "Add." The visual will be installed in Power BI Desktop.

5. Use the Visual:

   - The installed custom visual will appear in the Visualizations pane. Drag it into your report to use it.

 

 Examples of Custom Visuals

- Gantt Chart: Used for tracking project timelines and due dates.

- Decomposition Tree: Helps break down data into multiple levels.

- Waterfall Chart: Used to show changes in values over time.

 

 2. Custom Extensions

Custom extensions extend the functionality of Power BI, enabling advanced data analysis or visualizations.

 

 Installing Extensions

 

1. Go to Power BI Service:

   - Log in to your Power BI Service account.

2. Open Workspaces:

   - Navigate to the workspace where you want to use the extensions.

3. Use "Get Data":

   - Click on the “Get Data” option and select “Services.”

4. Select Extensions:

   - Choose custom extensions such as Custom Connectors or Dataflows that enhance Power BI’s capabilities.

5. Configure Extensions:

   - Configure the installed extensions to work according to your requirements.

 

 Examples of Extensions

- Custom Connectors: Used to connect to specific data sources.

- Dataflows: Used for data transformation and preparation.

- Power BI Embedded: Used to embed Power BI reports in your applications.

 

 3. Custom Visual Development

You can create your own custom visuals using the Power BI Visuals SDK.

 

 Steps to Develop Custom Visuals

 

1. Download Power BI Visuals SDK:

   - Download and install the Power BI Visuals SDK.

2. Set Up Visual Development Environment:

   - Install Node.js and npm.

   - Use a code editor like Visual Studio Code.

3. Create Visual:

   - Use the `pbiviz new` command to create a new visual.

   - Write code and customize the design of your visual.

4. Test the Visual:

   - Use the `pbiviz start` command to test the visual in a local Power BI report.

5. Package and Publish:

   - Use the `pbiviz package` command to package your visual.

   - Publish it to the Power BI Marketplace or use it directly.

 

 4. Using Custom Visuals and Extensions

 

1. Choose the Right Visual: Use custom visuals that help analyze different aspects of your data.

2. Configure Visuals: Customize the display of visuals using configuration options.

3. Monitor Visual Performance: Custom visuals can affect report performance, so track performance and optimize as needed.

 

By following these steps, you can effectively use custom visuals and extensions in Power BI to enhance your reports and boost your data analysis capabilities.