Multi-Edit Visuals in Power BI!

    In a recent video, Allison Gonzalez, a Microsoft Certified Trainer at Pragmatic Works, introduces a powerful new feature in Power BI Desktop: the ability to multi-edit visuals using the on-object update. This enhancement significantly streamlines the report design process by allowing users to apply formatting changes to multiple visuals simultaneously.

Why This Matters

Traditionally, formatting visuals in Power BI required selecting and editing each one individually—a tedious and time-consuming task. With the new update, users can now select multiple visuals and apply shared formatting options in one go, saving time and ensuring consistency across reports.

How It Works

When a single visual is selected, the format pane displays all available options specific to that visual type. Previously, selecting multiple visuals would disable the format pane. Now, with the update:

• Users can select multiple visuals (e.g., slicers, line charts, bar charts, column charts).
• The format pane remains active, offering a subset of shared formatting options.

Available Multi-Edit Options

While not all formatting options are available in multi-edit mode, several key design elements can be adjusted:

1. Size and Position: Uniformly adjust the dimensions and placement of selected visuals.
2. Padding: Modify internal spacing for a cleaner layout.
3. Background: Change background color or toggle it off entirely.
4. Borders: Enable borders, set colors, and round corners for a polished look.
5. Shadows: Add or remove shadows to enhance visual depth.
6. Titles: Toggle titles on or off across all selected visuals.
7. Header Icons: Customize icon visibility and color in the header area.
8. Alt Text: Add descriptive text for accessibility.
9. Layer Order: Maintain visual stacking order for overlapping elements.

Limitations and Workarounds

Although the multi-edit feature is a major improvement, it currently supports only a limited set of formatting options. For more granular control, Allison recommends:

• Using themes to apply consistent styling across visuals.
• Making individual adjustments for non-theme elements.
• Leveraging the Format Painter tool to copy formatting from one visual to another—similar to its use in Word, PowerPoint, or Excel.

Format Painter in Action

The Format Painter allows users to:

1. Select a formatted visual.
2. Click the Format Painter icon.
3. Apply the same formatting to another visual with a single click.

This is especially useful for replicating changes like axis title visibility or color schemes across similar visuals.

Looking Ahead

Allison expresses excitement about future updates to Power BI, anticipating even more flexibility and control in multi-editing capabilities. She encourages viewers to explore the feature, share feedback, and stay tuned for upcoming enhancements.

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.