Using GIFs in Tooltips

In this second part of her tooltip series, Angelica Choo Quan, a trainer at Pragmatic Works, demonstrates how to create and use GIFs to improve the user experience in Power BI reports. By utilizing animated visuals, you can offer users a clearer understanding of how to navigate your report, especially if they are unfamiliar with Power BI features.

Key Benefits of Using GIFs in Power BI Tooltips

• Helps users understand how to interact with the report.
• Visual aids can improve navigation for users unfamiliar with Power BI.
• GIFs provide a step-by-step guide on using different report features effectively.
• Enhances overall user experience by making reports more intuitive.

Creating GIFs with PowerPoint

Angelica starts by showing how to create an animated GIF using PowerPoint. Here’s how you can create your own GIF:

1. Ensure the "Record" tab is enabled in PowerPoint.
2. Select "Screen Recording" and adjust the recording area to match the Power BI report you want to capture.
3. Click "Record" to capture interactions with the report, such as clicking through visuals or demonstrating navigation steps.
4. Stop the recording when you’re done by pressing the stop button or using the shortcut Windows key + Shift + Q.
5. Once the recording is complete, export it as an animated GIF by selecting File > Export > Create an Animated GIF.

Integrating GIFs into Power BI Tooltips

Once the GIF is created, Angelica explains how to embed it into your Power BI report:

1. Create a new page in your Power BI report where the tooltip will reside.
2. Right-click the report canvas and format the page to treat it as a tooltip.
3. Adjust the canvas settings to a custom size, optimizing it for the GIF display.
4. Upload the GIF file into Power BI by selecting the GIF in the background section of the page's format settings.
5. Set the transparency of the background to 0% so the GIF appears clearly.

Linking GIF Tooltip to Report Interactions

Now, to trigger the tooltip with the GIF:

• Add a card visual to the report and size it to match the area where the user will interact (e.g., an info button).
• Create a measure and associate it with the card visual.
• Disable the category label and background of the card to ensure the info button remains visible.
• Finally, toggle on the tooltip feature and link the GIF as the tooltip content.

Conclusion

With these steps, users can seamlessly integrate animated GIFs into Power BI tooltips, providing a more engaging and informative experience. This technique can especially benefit users who are new to Power BI and may require visual aids to better understand the features of the report.

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