New multi-edit feature in Power BI Desktop

Allison Gonzalez, a Microsoft Certified Trainer with Pragmatic Works, introduces a transformative update in Power BI Desktop aimed at enhancing the report design process. This update, pivotal for users frequently handling multiple visuals, simplifies the application of uniform formatting changes across various elements, thereby improving efficiency and design coherence.

Feature Overview

• Multi-Edit Capabilities: The update incorporates a feature allowing users to edit multiple visuals simultaneously. This function is particularly useful for applying consistent settings, such as background styles, across different visual types within a report.
• Efficiency: This feature is designed as a significant timesaver, especially beneficial for users needing to ensure a uniform appearance across numerous visuals in their reports.

Using Multi-Edit Functionality

• Selecting Multiple Visuals: In contrast to earlier versions where selecting multiple visuals would clear the format pane, the updated version maintains access to formatting options even when multiple visuals are selected.
• Formatting Options: Users can adjust common features such as size, position, padding, and background. Additional enhancements allow the addition of borders, rounded corners, and shadows to all selected visuals collectively.
• Title Management: It is now possible to toggle titles on or off for all selected visuals simultaneously, streamlining the process of managing visual titles across a report.

Advanced Formatting Options

• Header Icons and Colors: Customization of header icons and their colors is now available, allowing for more personalized visual presentations.
• Accessibility Improvements: The update includes options to modify alternative text (alt text) for better accessibility.
• Layer Order: Users can control the layer order of visuals, an essential feature for managing the visual hierarchy in complex reports.

Individual Visual Adjustments

Despite the broad applicability of the multi-edit feature, certain visual adjustments must still be handled on an individual basis. Specific settings, such as the display of titles or axes, may require fine-tuning for individual charts or visuals, not covered by the multi-edit options.

Using Format Painter

• Functionality: Similar to its use in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint, the format painter in Power BI Desktop allows users to copy formatting from one visual and apply it to others, ensuring consistency across a report without the need for manual adjustments of each visual.

Closing Thoughts

Allison notes that while the current multi-edit capabilities introduce foundational improvements that enhance the report design process, there are limitations. However, the Power BI team is committed to ongoing enhancements that promise to expand flexibility and functionality in future updates.