Auto Create Mobile Layout - New Power BI Feature

In this tutorial, Microsoft Certified Trainer Allison Gonzalez from Pragmatic Works introduces the new Auto Create Mobile Layout feature in Power BI. This powerful update, introduced in the March 2024 release, simplifies the process of creating mobile-friendly report views, making it faster and more efficient for report designers to optimize their reports for on-the-go viewing.

What Is the Auto Create Mobile Layout Feature?

The Auto Create Mobile Layout feature in Power BI allows users to automatically generate a mobile-optimized version of their report page with minimal effort. Previously, designers had to manually adjust each visual for mobile viewing, which was time-consuming. This new feature simplifies the process by automatically arranging the visuals in a logical order.

Enabling the Auto Create Mobile Layout Feature

Since the feature is currently in preview mode, it needs to be manually enabled. Follow these steps to activate it:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Go to File > Options and Settings > Options.
3. Scroll down to Preview Features.
4. Check the box for Auto Create Mobile Layout.
5. Click OK and restart Power BI Desktop.

Using the Auto Create Mobile Layout

Once enabled, creating a mobile layout becomes effortless:

1. Select the report page you want to optimize for mobile view.
2. Go to the View ribbon and click Mobile Layout.
3. Click the Auto Create button.
4. Power BI will automatically generate a mobile-friendly layout, stacking the visuals in a logical sequence.

Customizing the Auto-Generated Layout

While the auto-generated layout provides a great starting point, users can still make adjustments:

• Reposition and resize visuals for better readability.
• Remove visuals by dragging them back to the unused visuals pane.
• Fine-tune visibility using the Settings panel, which allows you to filter visible and hidden visuals.
• Hidden elements like bookmarks or slicers can be excluded from the mobile view for a cleaner design.

Benefits of the Auto Create Mobile Layout

This new feature provides several key advantages:

• ✅ Time Saver: Automatically arranges visuals, saving hours of manual work.
• ✅ Consistent Design: The layout mirrors the desktop design for a familiar user experience.
• ✅ Improved Accessibility: Ensures reports are easier to view on mobile devices.
• ✅ Flexible Adjustments: Users can still customize the layout after auto-generation.

Conclusion

The Auto Create Mobile Layout feature in Power BI Desktop offers a significant quality-of-life improvement for report designers. By automatically generating mobile-friendly layouts, it reduces manual effort while maintaining flexibility for customization. 

Don't forget to check out the Pragmatic Works' on-demand learning platform for more insightful content and training sessions on Power BI and other Microsoft applications. Be sure to subscribe to the Pragmatic Works YouTube channel to stay up-to-date on the latest tips and tricks.