Creating visuals in Power BI

Creating visuals in Power BI

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Introduction
Suppose we are working with the
Gender_Egypt dataset, which
aggregates data on various
gender-related indicators in
Egypt over multiple years.

Our task is to use Power BI to

transform this dataset from its
raw state to meaningful visuals.

The task isn't just about making

graphs; it's about understanding
the narrative that the data are
trying to convey, with Power BI as
the storyteller.
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Power BI panes introduction

To create visualisations, we need
to be in the _Report view_. This is
the default view where we'll see
various panes like;

1. _Data_

2. _Visualizations_

3. _Filters_

When we first launch Power BI, we

encounter the _Report view_ with
a blank canvas that provides
1. Import the Gender_Egypt dataset into Power BI. _links_ to assist in adding data to
a report.
Note: This icon indicates challenges that you should try solving by yourself before moving to the next slide deck. 3
Creating visuals in Power BI

Data pane
It is crucial to understand our data
before visualising it.
The _Data pane_ lets us explore
the tables we've imported into
Power BI.

A table can be expanded by

clicking on the _arrow_ next to the
table's name.

1. Drag the Indicator_name field onto the page to start a new

This will provide access to all the visualisation.
_fields_ in that table. 2. Drag the ∑ Value field onto the existing visualisation to add it to
that visualisation.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Influence of data structure on visualisations

| In Power BI, the structure of our data can determine the ease and type of visualisations we can
create.

_Pivoted data_ _Non-pivoted data_

This is a data structure where related elements are With this data structure, related data elements are
grouped or pivoted into columns representing a stacked in one column instead of being spread across
particular category. multiple columns.
E.g. a dataset on literacy rates would feature separate E.g. having a single Indicator column with rows
Male_literacy_rate and Female_literacy_rate specifying Literacy Rate, Male and Literacy Rate,
columns, each populated with relevant figures. Female, rather than separate columns for each.

Power BI offers a flexible environment to transform and visualise data effectively, despite the underlying
data structure. This versatility effectively allows users to focus more on insights and storytelling.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Visualizations pane
Power BI provides a diverse range
of visualisation types, enabling
users to create visually engaging
and interactive dashboards and
reports.

The _Visualizations pane_

provides the primary interface for
creating and formatting visuals.

It includes three tabs:

1. Identify the type of visualisation in the image above.
● _Build visual_
2. Identify this visualisation’s icon on the Build visual sub-pane.
● _Format_
● _Analytics_
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Visualizations pane
By dragging the Indicator_name
and Value features onto the
canvas, a tabular visual is
created. When selected, the
visuals _icon_ is highlighted on the
Build visual tab.

When we hover over an icon, a

_pop-up_ with the name of the
type of visualisation appears.

Explore the different types of visuals. What happens in the Data Also note that a third tab, the
pane when we convert the visualisation from one form to _Analytics tab_, only appears
another? when a visual is selected.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Visualizations pane: Build visual tab

The Build visual tab is divided into two sections:

The _upper section_ is where the visualisation type is chosen. If we start building a
visualisation by selecting fields without selecting a visualisation type first, Power BI picks
the visualisation type for us. We can keep Power BI's selection or change the type by
selecting a different icon.

The _lower section_ holds buckets/wells which vary depending on the type of
visualisation selected. For example, if we've selected a Line chart, we see Y-axis, X-axis,
Legend, etc. Some buckets are limited to certain types of data. For example, Values don't
accept non-numeric fields.

1. Convert the visual into a line chart.

2. Add the Year field to the Secondary y-axis well.

HINT: Data can be added by dropping it on the page, visualisation, or on a specific well.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Visualizations pane: Format visual tab

Once we’ve decided on a type of visual, we need to ensure that it

communicates effectively, and much of this is achieved through
formatting. Proper formatting ensures that visuals are not just informative
but also engaging and aligned with the intended narrative or branding.

Formatting options can be divided into two main categories:

_Visual_ _General_
These options are more about the
This section pertains to a specific general appearance and
visual. Each visual type has its behaviour of the visual within the
unique set of formatting options Power BI report canvas, and they
tailored to its design and function. apply consistently across different
visual types.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Visualizations pane: Analytics tab

The Analytics tab offers additional ways to add analytical layers over our
basic visualisations. These tools provide added elements that give more
context or insight without having to change the core data points. For
example, we can:
1. Enhance charts by inserting lines that show statistical benchmarks
like averages or extremes.
2. Visualise common ranges or deviations by drawing bands between
two statistical values.
3. Project future trends from time-series data for insights into areas
such as sales or inventory.
4. Uncover hidden data patterns or segments through clustering,
enhancing interpretation and strategy.

The options available in the Analytics tab depend on the type of

visualisation we're working with, as some analytical enhancements only
make sense with certain types of data representations.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Filters pane

|
The Filters pane allows us to limit the data displayed based on specific
criteria. This makes it easier to get insights since we can focus on a
specific portion of data. There are two types of filters:

_Filters on visuals_ _Filters on pages_

These are filters that are applied These are filters that affect all the
directly to a single visual on your visuals present on a single report
report. They allow for a micro page. They are more
view, affecting only the data macro-oriented, offering a broader
represented in one visual element. data-filtering scope.

Create a filter for Sum of Year such that our line chart only
displays data from 2014 to 2017, inclusive.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Filters pane: Filter options

|
The Filters pane provides _various options_ to help control and refine the
data that appear in reports. Here's a breakdown of the primary filter
options available:

_Basic filters:_ _Top N filters:_

Often checkbox-based, these These limit the data to the top 'N'
allow us to select which values to items based on a specific metric,
include or exclude. which is useful in rankings and
leaderboards.

_Advanced filters (conditions):_ _Relative filters:_

These apply conditions to refine For date/time data, these filters
results, essential for precise show data relative to the current
numerical data filtering. date (for example, last 7 days,
next 3 months, etc.).
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Tables

_Functionality:_ Tables in Power BI allow for a detailed data view in a
structured format, presenting information in rows and columns similar to
spreadsheets. They are essential for displaying numerous variables at
once or when specific figures are required.

_Complex data representation:_ Tables in Power BI efficiently distil

complex data, allowing precise value comparison and preventing
misrepresentation common in more intricate visuals.

_Pre-visualisation assessment:_ Before delving into more complex

visualisations, tables offer a preliminary view of raw data, aiding analysts
in grasping dataset nuances crucial for selecting suitable visuals.

_Well options:_
Columns: These will be the columns in the table. Data for a particular
column can be aggregated by expanding on the column name.
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Cards

_Functionality:_ Cards display a single value in a large font and are often
used to highlight a key figure, like total sales or average cost. They are
less detailed but excellent for drawing attention to priority data.

_Simplicity and focus:_ Unlike tables, cards are not for complex
representation. Instead, they draw focus to one particular element,
ensuring that this insight doesn't get lost amidst more complex data.

_Well options:_
Fields: The data field to be showcased.

1. On a blank canvas, create a table that displays all the data in the Gender_Egypt dataset.
2. Create a card that displays the value of Sum of Year.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Tables and cards

| Tables and cards serve distinctive purposes in data analysis and reporting within Power BI.
However, when used together, they are powerful tools for:

_Comprehensive reports:_ When assembling a full report, tables and cards play different but complementary
roles. While tables can provide the detailed backdrop of the data being analysed, cards can serve to highlight
the key takeaways or figures that warrant immediate attention.

_Dashboards:_ Cards can provide at-a-glance insights due to their straightforward nature, often serving as the
summary or headline of the data’s story. In contrast, tables are there for when there is a need to drill down into
the specifics or to investigate detailed figures.

_Decision-making process:_ Both tables and cards work together to ensure decision-makers have access to both
the macro and micro aspects of the data. While cards can quickly convey critical data, tables ensure that there is
a comprehensive understanding of the underlying details, thus ensuring well-informed decisions.

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Line charts

Line charts are ideal for displaying continuous data, for

|
_Well options:_
example, data trends over a period. They connect individual
X-axis: Data elements displayed
data points in a view, providing a clear visualisation of trends on the horizontal axis.
or changes. Y-axis: Data elements displayed
on the vertical axis.
Secondary y-axis: Second vertical
axis to display additional data for
comparison.
Legend: Differentiates data
categories through colour-coding.
Small multiples: Enables the
creation of comparable, individual
mini-charts based on categorical
divisions.
Tooltips: Provides more context
when hovering over specific
sections of a visual.
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Column charts

| Column charts are perfect for comparing values across categories shown as bars. They are
best used with multiple data series and where highlighting relative proportions is necessary.

_Well options:_

X-axis
Y-axis
Legend
Small multiples
Tooltips

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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Scatter plots

|
Scatter plots allow the display of correlations between two numerical variables, each point
representing an observation. They are great for identifying trends, concentrations, and outliers
within data.

_Well options:_
Value: The main numerical data to
be analysed or visualised.
X-axis
Y-axis
Legend
Size: Determines the dimension of
a data point based on a
quantitative measure.
Play axis: Introduces a time-based
animation on data evolution over
time.
Tooltips
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Creating visuals in Power BI

Types of visualisations: Treemaps

|
Treemaps display data in nested rectangles. Each level of this layout hierarchy is represented
by a coloured rectangle (branch) containing other rectangles (leaves). They are useful for
viewing proportions and hierarchies.

_Well options:_

Category: A rectangle of relative

size is created for each value in
this field.

Details: Used to drill down into

more specific elements within a
broader category.

Values

Tooltips

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