NEW Card Visual - Power BI Report Design Episode 12

In this episode of Pragmatic Works’ Power BI design series, Allison Gonzalez, a Microsoft Certified Trainer, introduces the exciting new card visual in Power BI. Released in June 2023, this update enhances the original card visual, offering users a range of new formatting, layout, and customization options—even while in preview mode.

Getting Started with the New Card Visual

Once the June 2023 update is installed, the new card visual appears in your visualizations pane with a lightning bolt icon. If it doesn’t automatically appear, users can enable it under Preview Features. Allison highlights that after enabling preview features, restarting Power BI ensures it’s available for use.

Basic Formatting Options

• Size & Position: Adjust the visual's dimensions manually or by dragging edges.
• Background & Borders: Add or remove backgrounds, apply borders, shadows, or adjust transparency.
• Title Section: Optional titles, subtitles, dividers, and spacing adjustments provide more control.

Shapes and Layouts

• Shape Options: Users can choose rectangles, callouts, or customized shapes with rounded corners or unique snipped tab configurations.
• Alignment: Horizontal and vertical alignment adjustments for text and labels within the card.
• Layout Control: Choose between grid, vertical, or horizontal layouts and control spacing between cards, rows, and columns.

Values and Labels Customization

Each card allows detailed customization of both values and labels:

• Font size, color, bold, italic, underline, and transparency adjustments.
• Display units and decimal places can be set manually.
• Labels can be positioned above or below values, with adjustable spacing for clarity.

Advanced Card Features

• Multiple Cards in One Visual: Allison demonstrates how to add multiple items within a single card visual while retaining individual customization options.
• Images & Icons: Users can upload PNG icons or integrate dynamic images using DAX measures with image URLs, including sparklines for trend visualization.
• Accent Bars: Positioned anywhere on the card with customizable transparency and width.
• Drop Shadows & Glow Effects: Apply to cards for enhanced aesthetics and ensure consistent positioning across multiple cards.

Practical Tips & Resources

Allison shares practical tips for creating advanced visualizations:

• Sparklines can be added using DAX measures and SVG image URLs for dynamic chart-like visuals inside cards.
• Background images can be layered with conditional formatting and transparency adjustments.
• FlatIcon.com is recommended for free icons compatible with Power BI card visuals.
• For multiple visuals, applying uniform formatting ensures a polished and cohesive report layout.

Why This Card Visual Matters

The new card visual enhances Power BI reports by combining aesthetic flexibility with functional improvements. Users can:

• Customize individual cards or apply changes to all cards in a layout simultaneously.
• Create visually compelling dashboards without relying on third-party visuals.
• Integrate dynamic data features such as sparklines and image URLs for more interactive insights.

Allison emphasizes that while this card visual is still in preview mode, it is already a game-changer. The ability to adjust layouts, integrate images, and control formatting extensively makes report design easier and more visually appealing.

Conclusion

For Power BI professionals seeking to elevate their dashboards, the new card visual offers a wealth of opportunities to enhance report presentation and interactivity. Allison encourages viewers to experiment, customize, and explore all the formatting and layout options available. Feedback and continued updates will further improve the visual, solidifying its place as an essential tool for report designers.

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.