NEW On-object Feature in Power BI Desktop

In a comprehensive and engaging video, Allison Gonzalez, a Microsoft Certified Trainer, delves into the intricacies of the "On-object" feature in Power BI. This blog post aims to summarize her insightful presentation for Pragmatic Works, highlighting the key aspects of On-object, its setup process, and its benefits for Power BI users.

Introduction to On-object in Power BI

Allison begins by addressing the current status of the On-object feature in Power BI, noting its placement in preview features with an indefinite timeline for full rollout. Despite its preview status, she strongly advocates for its adoption due to the enhancements it brings to the Power BI user experience.

Setting Up On-object

The process of enabling On-object is straightforward:

• Access the Preview Features through File > Options and Settings > Options.
• Activate the On-object interaction option.
• Restart Power BI for the changes to take effect.

Key Changes and Benefits

Upon activating On-object, users will notice several immediate improvements:

• Visuals are prominently displayed on the home ribbon, making them more accessible.
• A new organization system for visuals enhances usability, with categories like bar and column charts, line and area charts, etc., neatly sorted.
• The introduction of a pane collection on the right side of the screen allows for easier navigation between different sections, including data, formatting, and others.

Enhanced Visual Selection and Management

• Users can now add new visuals directly from the home ribbon, with Power BI suggesting the most suitable visual based on the inserted data.
• The ability to download custom visuals from the AppSource or import them from a device is streamlined, further enhancing the customization options available to users.

Pane Management and Customization

Allison emphasizes the significant update towards the end of 2023, allowing users to stack panes instead of switching between them one at a time. This change, driven by user feedback, addresses one of the main criticisms of the On-object feature by enabling simultaneous viewing of multiple panes.

Practical Tips for On-object Usage

• Allison shares practical tips for customizing the pane switcher and report settings to maximize efficiency. These include setting up smart guides, visual type suggestions, and adjusting the format pane to expand all subcategories by default.
• She highlights the importance of the pane switcher settings, which allow users to display the pane switcher constantly, show the build a visual menu, and open a new pane next to the existing one, enhancing the workflow.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Concluding her presentation, Allison reiterates her support for the On-object feature, suggesting that its benefits outweigh any initial resistance to change. She encourages viewers to explore the feature, customize it according to their preferences, and share their experiences, whether positive or negative.

Allison's walkthrough of the On-object feature in Power BI serves as a valuable resource for users looking to enhance their data visualization capabilities. By following her advice, users can effectively leverage this feature to improve their Power BI projects, making the transition to On-object a worthwhile endeavor.

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.