Power BI Update - May 2024

Summary

The May edition of Power BI's monthly update introduces a plethora of enhancements aimed at improving user experience. Notably, the modern tooltip is now enabled by default, signaling the beginning of a series of innovative changes. Matrix layouts are revamped, inspired by Excel's PivotTable, offering new ways to arrange components. Line visuals receive significant updates, including customization and autoscaling capabilities. Users can now interact more intuitively with visuals through on-object formatting. Additionally, the public preview of publishing reports to folders in workspaces simplifies content organization. Power BI Copilot expands its capabilities, allowing users to query the data model directly. The update also includes general availability of DAX Query View and model explorer, along with enhancements in data connectivity and mobile app accessibility.

Takeaways

• 🆕 Modern Tooltips are now enabled by default in Power BI, marking the beginning of significant enhancements to their functionality.
• 📊 Matrix layouts have been introduced with options to select from compact outline or tabular layouts, inspired by Excel's PivotTable.
• 📈 Line visuals in Power BI have received a major update, including the ability to customize line patterns, autoscale, and apply changes across different line types.
• 🎨 Object interaction updates allow for direct formatting of small multiples, waterfall, and matrix visuals through a convenient mini toolbar.
• 📁 'Publish to folders' feature is in public preview, enabling hierarchical organization of items within Power BI workspaces.
• 🗣️ Power BI Copilot now allows users to ask questions directly about the data model, extending beyond just the data presented in report visuals.
• 🔍 DAX Query View is generally available, offering a variety of productivity tools for writing and testing DAX queries within Power BI Desktop.
• 🔄 The refresh of calculated columns and tables is now supported in the Power BI service for direct query sources using single sign-on authentication.
• 🔗 Enhanced Oracle database connector with single sign-on support and several new and updated connectors have been announced.
• 📑 Live connected Power BI reports can now be viewed directly in OneDrive and SharePoint, expanding beyond import mode.
• 📈 The Power BI mobile app introduces a 'Show Visuals as Table' view to enhance accessibility and data consumption in a tabular format.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the May edition of the Power BI monthly update presented by Jason Himmelstein?

The main focus of the May edition update includes enhancements in Power BI reporting, such as modern tooltip improvements, matrix layouts, line updates, object interaction updates, and the introduction of publishing to folders in public preview.

Why is the modern tooltip being highlighted in the Power BI update?

The modern tooltip is highlighted because it is now enabled by default and marks the beginning of significant improvements that will revolutionize tooltip management and customization.

What new layout options have been introduced for matrix visuals in Power BI?

The new layout options for matrix visuals include compact outline and tabular layouts, which allow users to alter the arrangement of components similar to Excel's PivotTable.

What enhancements were made to the line visuals in the May Power BI update?

The enhancements to line visuals include the ability to hide and show lines, customize line patterns, autoscale line patterns, and apply line dash cap and line upgrades across other line types.

How does the new on object formatting feature in Power BI improve the user experience?

The on object formatting feature allows users to interact directly with visuals like small multiples, waterfall, and matrix, making it more intuitive and efficient to format reports by using a convenient mini toolbar that appears upon right-clicking on a visual component.

What does the public preview of 'publish to folders' in Power BI allow users to do?

The public preview of 'publish to folders' allows users to create a hierarchical structure for organizing and managing their items, and publish reports directly to specific folders within their workspace from Power BI Desktop.

What new capability is being previewed for Power BI Copilot related to data models?

Power BI Copilot is previewing a new capability that allows users to ask questions about the data in their data model, enabling them to get answers directly from the underlying model, even if the answer isn't already present on the report page.

What updates have been made to DAX query view in the Power BI modeling section?

Updates to DAX query view include the ability to run a DAX query before keeping it, conversational building of DAX queries using Copilot, and additional professional code editing experiences such as change all occurrences and block folding.

How has the Oracle database connector been enhanced in the latest Power BI update?

The Oracle database connector has been enhanced with the addition of single sign-on support in the Power BI service, using Microsoft Entra ID authentication.

What new connectors have been added or updated in the Power BI data connectivity area?

New connectors added include OneStream, Zendesk, and CCH Tagetik. There has also been an update to the Azure Databricks connector.

What is the significance of the integration between Power BI and OneDrive and SharePoint for live connected reports?

The integration allows users to seamlessly view Power BI reports with live connected data directly in OneDrive and SharePoint, enhancing collaboration and accessibility of reports with team members.

What changes have been made to the Power BI add-in for PowerPoint regarding image mode?

Changes to image mode include the ability to print add-ins saved in public snapshot without requiring a permissions check, and the introduction of 'Show as Saved Image' to replace the add-in with an image for faster load times during presentations.

What new feature has been added to the Power BI mobile app to improve accessibility?

The 'Show Visuals as Table' view has been added to all reports in the Power BI mobile app, allowing users to view all visuals as table visuals, which is beneficial for those using accessibility screen readers or preferring a tabular data consumption experience.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Power BI May Update: Reporting Enhancements and New Features

The May edition of the Power BI monthly update introduces several key enhancements and features. Jason Himmelstein highlights the modern tooltip now being on by default, signaling an evolution in tooltip functionality with future developments aiming to revolutionize management and customization. Matrix layouts are revamped with new options inspired by Excel's PivotTable, allowing for more flexible arrangements. Line visuals receive significant updates, including the ability to hide/show lines, customize patterns, and autoscale. Object interaction updates bring a new formatting experience for small multiples, waterfall, and matrix visuals, with a convenient mini toolbar for direct interaction. Additionally, the public preview of 'Publish to folders' in workspaces simplifies content organization, and Power BI Copilot gains the ability to answer questions directly from the data model, not just visuals.

05:03

🔍 Power BI Modeling and Connectivity Improvements

The Power BI modeling section welcomes the general availability of DAX Query View, which offers a range of productivity tools for writing and editing DAX queries, including quick queries, inline Fabric Copilot, and advanced code editing features. Updates to DAX Query View allow users to run queries before finalizing and build queries conversationally with Copilot. The managed relationships dialogue is redesigned for easier relationship management. Refresh capabilities for calculated columns and tables in the service are now supported for direct query sources using single sign-on authentication. The model explorer in Power BI Service is now generally available, enhancing semantic modeling with a tree view and authoring of calculation groups. Oracle database connector gains single sign-on support, and new connectors for OneStream, Zendesk, and CCH Tagetik are introduced, with an update to the Azure Databricks connector. Reports in OneDrive and SharePoint can now display live connected data, expanding the integration's capabilities beyond import mode.

10:05

📱 Power BI Mobile Accessibility and Community Spotlight

The Power BI mobile app introduces a new feature to show visuals as tables, enhancing accessibility for screen reader users and those who prefer tabular data consumption. This update allows users to view underlying data in a table format, similar to Excel. The community spotlight shines on Lutz Bendlin, a Power BI Super User who has contributed significantly to the community with solutions and replies, and creatively applied Power BI to monitor his chicken coop's conditions and egg production. The update concludes with a reminder to engage with the Power BI community for support and feedback, emphasizing the importance of user interaction and contribution.

Keywords

💡Power BI

Power BI is a suite of business analytics tools developed by Microsoft. It provides interactive visualizations and business intelligence capabilities with an interface simple enough for end users to create their own reports and dashboards. In the video, Power BI is the central theme as it discusses various updates and features that enhance its functionality for users.

💡Modern Tooltip

The modern tooltip refers to an updated feature in Power BI that enhances the functionality of tooltips, which are small descriptions or information boxes that appear when the user hovers over or clicks on a data point in a visualization. The script mentions that the modern tooltip is now on by default, indicating an improvement in user experience and a step towards more advanced tooltip management and customization.

💡Matrix Layouts

Matrix layouts are a new feature in Power BI that allows users to customize the arrangement of components within a matrix visual, similar to the familiar PivotTable in Excel. The script discusses the introduction of layouts such as compact outline or tabular layouts, which enable users to alter the display of their data in a more controlled and aesthetically pleasing manner.

💡Line Updates

Line updates refer to a set of enhancements made to the line visuals in Power BI, which are used to represent data trends over time in a graph. The script highlights the ability to hide and show lines, customize line patterns, and make various other aesthetic and functional improvements to line visuals, thereby transforming the user's experience with these types of data representations.

💡Object Interaction

Object interaction in the context of Power BI refers to the user's ability to interact with the elements of a visual for a more intuitive and efficient experience. The script introduces on object formatting for small multiples, waterfall, and matrix visuals, allowing users to directly interact with and format visual components, which streamlines the customization process.

💡Publish to Folders

Publish to Folders is a feature that allows users to organize and manage their Power BI reports within specific folders in their workspace. The script explains that this feature is in public preview, enabling a hierarchical structure for content organization, and making it easier to publish reports directly from Power BI Desktop to designated folders.

💡Power BI Copilot

Power BI Copilot is a capability that allows users to ask questions about their data model and receive answers directly in the form of visuals. The script mentions a preview of this feature, expanding the ability to ask questions beyond the data present in report visuals to the underlying data model itself, thereby providing deeper insights into the data.

💡DAX Query View

DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) Query View is a feature in Power BI that provides a dedicated workspace for users to write and test DAX queries against their data model. The script discusses the general availability of DAX Query View, which includes features like quick queries, inline editing of measures, and an integrated Fabric Copilot for writing and explaining DAX queries.

💡Managed Relationships

Managed relationships refer to the connections between different tables in a data model that are created and managed within Power BI. The script introduces a redesigned managed relationships dialogue in Power BI Desktop, providing a comprehensive view of all relationships and their properties, allowing users to create or edit relationships more efficiently.

💡Oracle Database Connector

The Oracle database connector is a tool within Power BI that enables users to connect to and use data from Oracle databases. The script mentions that this connector has been enhanced with single sign-on support using Microsoft Entra ID authentication, which simplifies the authentication process and improves security.

💡Live Connected Data

Live connected data in Power BI refers to a setup where a report is directly linked to a data source, allowing for real-time data updates and interactions. The script discusses the ability to view Power BI reports with live connected data directly in OneDrive and SharePoint, which enhances collaboration and ensures that users always have access to the most current data.

Highlights

Introduction of modern tooltip in Power BI, now on by default, marking the beginning of a series of improvements to enhance functionality.

Matrix layouts introduced for Power BI, allowing users to select from compact outline or tabular layouts, inspired by Excel's PivotTable.

Significant line enhancements in Power BI, including the ability to hide/show lines, customize line patterns, and autoscale line patterns.

New on object interaction updates for small multiples, waterfall, and matrix visuals, enabling more intuitive and efficient formatting.

Public preview of publishing reports to folders in workspaces, allowing for a hierarchical structure to organize and manage items.

Preview of Power BI Copilot's new capability to ask questions about the data model, providing deeper insights beyond report visuals.

General availability of DAX query view in Power BI Desktop, offering several productivity features for DAX queries.

Updates to DAX query view, including the ability to run a DAX query before keeping it and conversational DAX query building with Copilot.

Redesigned managed relationships dialogue in Power BI Desktop for easier relationship management.

Refresh capability for calculated columns and tables in the service for direct query sources using single sign-on authentication.

General availability of model explorer in Power BI, including authoring of calculation groups for easier semantic modeling.

Enhancement of the Oracle database connector with single sign-on support using Microsoft Entra ID authentication.

Introduction of new connectors for OneStream, Zendesk, and CCH Tagetik, and an update to the Azure Databricks connector.

Integration of Power BI with OneDrive and SharePoint for live connected reports, expanding beyond import mode.

Storytelling in PowerPoint with the Power BI add-in, including changes to image mode for public snapshot and updated notifications.

Accessibility improvements in the Power BI mobile app with the addition of Show Visuals as Table view for all reports.

Editor's picks of the quarter and new visuals in AppSource for Power BI visualizations.

Highlight of community member Lutz Bendlin, a Power BI Super User, and his creative use of Power BI for monitoring his chicken coop.

Transcripts

- Hello, Power BI community,

this is the May edition of the Power BI monthly update.

I am Jason Himmelstein, principal PM manager

for content strategy in Microsoft Fabric.

For more information about the topics in this video,

check out the monthly update blog.

The link is in the video description below.

Let's go ahead and get started.

There are lots of updates in the Power BI

reporting section this month,

starting with the modern tooltip is now on by default.

Power BI tooltips are embarking on an evolution

to enhance their functionality.

To lay the groundwork, we're introducing

that the modern tooltip is now on by default.

It's a feature that many users may recognize

from its previous status.

This change is more than just an upgrade,

it's the first step in remarkable improvements.

These future developments promise to revolutionize

tooltip management and customization,

offering possibilities that were previously only imaginable.

As we prepare for general availability

of the modern tooltip, this is an excellent opportunity

for users to become familiar with its features

and capabilities without having to go

and turn it on manually.

Matrix layouts.

We've listened to the community's feedback

about improving our tabular visuals, both table and matrix,

and we're excited to initiate the transformation.

Drawing inspiration from the familiar PivotTable in Excel,

we aim to build new features and capabilities

upon a stronger foundation.

Our May update introduces layouts for matrix.

Now you can select from compact outline

or tabular layouts to alter the arrangement of components

in a manner akin to Excel.

Line updates.

Following last month's introduction

of the initial line enhancements,

May brings a groundbreaking set of capabilities

that are set to transform your Power BI experience.

You have the ability to hide and show lines,

customize line patterns, autoscale line patterns,

line dash cap, and line upgrades across other line types.

We recommend visiting our dedicated blog

for an in-depth exploration

of all the new capabilities added to lines.

On object interaction updates.

This May release we are excited to introduce

on object formatting for small multiples,

waterfall, and matrix visuals.

This new feature allows users to interact directly

with the visuals for a more intuitive

and efficient formatting experience.

By double clicking on any of these visuals,

users can now right click on the visual component

that they wish to format,

bringing up a convenient mini toolbar.

The streamlined approach not only saves time,

but also enhances the user's ability

to customize and refine their reports with ease.

Publish to folders in public preview.

We recently announced a public preview

of folders in workspaces,

allowing you to create a hierarchical structure

for organizing and managing your items.

In the latest Desktop release,

you can now publish your reports

to specific folders in your workspace.

When you publish a report,

you can choose the specific workspace

and folder for your report.

The interface is simplistic and easy to understand,

making organizing your Power BI content

from Desktop even better.

And last in this section,

you can now ask Copilot questions about your data model,

and this is in preview.

We're excited to preview a new capability

for Power BI Copilot, allowing you to ask questions

about the data in your data model.

You could already ask questions about the data

present in visuals on your report pages,

but now you can go even deeper

by getting answers directly from the underlying model.

Just ask questions about your data.

If the answer isn't already on your report,

Copilot will then query your model for the data instead

and return the answer to your question

in the form of a visual.

We now have a demo by Lauren Faber

of publish to folders in preview.

- [Lauren] When publishing reports from Power BI Desktop,

you now have the option to publish those reports

into folders contained in workspaces

in the Power BI service.

Folders were previously announced in public preview

in the Power BI service,

and we have now added the capability

to publish those reports directly to those folders

from Power BI Desktop.

This capability makes it easier than ever

to keep your items organized in the Power BI service.

To ensure this public preview feature is on

in your Power BI Desktop, go to the File menu,

click on Options and settings, click on Options,

and look for the Preview Features tab.

Look for the setting called

Publish dialogue support folder selection.

- [Jason] The Power BI modeling section

has lots of great announcements this month,

starting with the general availability of DAX query view.

DAX query view is the fourth view

on the left rail of Power BI Desktop,

where you can run DAX queries against your semantic model.

DAX query view comes with several ways

to help you be as productive as possible with DAX queries.

You can use quick queries,

where DAX queries can be written for you

in the context menu of tables, columns, or measures

in the data pane of the DAX query view.

DirectQuery model authors can also use DAX query view.

View your data in the tables wherever you want.

You can create and edit measures,

edit one or multiple measures all at once.

You can make changes and see the change in action

in DAX query view.

Then you can update the model when you're ready,

see all the DAX queries of a visual,

investigate the visual DAX queries in DAX query view.

You can write DAX queries in DAX query view

using IntelliSense, formatting, commenting and uncommenting,

and syntax highlighting.

And additional professional code editing experiences

such as change all occurrences

and block folding to expand and collapse sections.

DAX query view also includes an inline Fabric Copilot

to write and explain DAX queries,

which remains in public preview.

This month we've made the following updates.

We give you the ability to run a DAX query

before you keep it.

Previously, the Run button was disabled

until the generated DAX query was accepted

or Copilot was closed.

Now you can run the DAX query,

then decide to keep or discard that DAX query.

You can now build DAX queries

conversationally using Copilot.

Previously, the DAX query generated

was not considered if you typed additional prompts.

You had to keep the DAX query, select it again,

and then use Copilot to adjust it.

Now you just simply adjust it

by typing additional user prompts.

This month we introduce the redesigned

managed relationships dialogue in Power BI Desktop.

To open the dialogue, simply select

Manage Relationships button in the Modeling ribbon.

Once it's opened, you'll find a comprehensive view

of all your relationships along with their key properties

all in one convenient location.

From here, you can create new relationships

or edit existing ones.

Ever since we released composite models

on Power BI semantic models in Analysis Services,

you've been asking us to support the refresh

of calculated columns and tables in the service.

This month we have enabled the refresh of calculated

columns and tables in the service for any

direct query source that uses single sign-on authentication.

This includes sources you use

when working with composite models

on Power BI semantic models in Analysis Services.

We're also excited to announce the general availability

of model explorer in the model view of Power BI,

including the authoring of calculation groups.

Semantic modeling is even easier

with the at-a-glance tree view

with item counts, search, and in context paths

to edit the semantic model items with model explorer.

We have updates in the Power BI data connectivity area.

We're happy to announce that the Oracle database connector

has been enhanced this month with the addition

of single sign-on support in the Power BI service

with Microsoft Entra ID authentication.

We're also pleased to announce some new

and updated connectors in this release.

There is a new OneStream Power BI connector,

a new Zendesk data connector,

a new CCH Tagetik connector,

and an update to the Azure Databricks connector.

Reports in OneDrive and SharePoint

with live connected semantic models.

Last May, we announced the integration between Power BI

and OneDrive and SharePoint.

Previously, this capability was limited

to only reports in import mode.

We're excited to announce that you can now seamlessly view

Power BI reports with live connected data

directly in OneDrive and SharePoint.

When working in Power BI Desktop

with a report live connected

to a semantic model in the service,

you can easily share a link to collaborate with others

on your team and allow them to quickly view the report

in their browser.

Let's go ahead and take a look at a demo

of this functionality.

- [Lauren] When a report is shared with you

via OneDrive or SharePoint,

you can easily access that report directly from your browser

with data that is live connected to semantic bottles

in the Power BI service.

This makes it easier than ever to have access

to your reports from where you already work.

- [Jason] Next, we have the Power BI Service.

Storytelling in PowerPoint.

Image mode in the Power BI add-in for PowerPoint.

While you told us that you appreciate

the ability to limit the image view

to only those who have permissions to view the report,

you asked for changes to the public snapshot mode.

To address some of this feedback we got from you,

we've made a few changes in this area.

Add-ins that were saved in public snapshot can be printed

and will not require you to go over all the slides

and load the add-in for permissions check

before the public image is made visible.

You can use the Show as Saved Image

on add-ins that were saved as public snapshot.

This will replace the entire add-in

with an image representation of it,

so the load time might be faster

when you're presenting your presentation.

Updated notifications.

Many of us keep presentations open for a long time,

which may cause the data in the presentation

to become outdated.

To make sure your slides have the data

that you need in them,

we've added a new notification

that tells you if more up-to-date data exists

in the Power BI service and offers you the option

to refresh and get the latest data from Power BI.

Power BI mobile.

We strive to make the Power BI mobile app

as accessible as possible for everyone.

That's why in this month's update

we've added the Show Visuals as Table view to all reports.

Use this feature to instantly view all the visuals,

excluding slicers, cards, and non-data driven visuals,

in your report as table visuals.

This feature enhances the consumption experience

for users who rely on accessibility screen readers

by allowing them to read the underlying data

presented in each visual.

It is also beneficial for users

who prefer to consume their data in tabular form,

which is more like the consumption experience in Excel.

Power BI visualizations.

As always, we have editor's picks of the quarter

and in addition, we also have new visuals

in AppSource this month.

Check out the blog in order to be able

to take a look at each one of these.

That's it for the updates.

Each month we highlight a community member

that's making a positive impact in our community.

Meet Lutz Bendlin, who is a Super User in our community.

Lutz has been a Power BI community member since 2019.

He's received over 6,000 kudos, authored 4,000 solutions,

and has over 30,000 replies.

In addition to being an integral part of our community,

Lutz has equipped his chicken coop with sensors and cameras

and is monitoring temperature, humidity,

and egg production via a Power BI streaming hybrid data set.

Now that's a creative way to use data.

Thank you for being a part of our community, Lutz.

That's all for this month.

Please visit our Power BI community forums

at aka.ms/pbicommunity.

It's the best place for you to connect with others

and get answers to your questions.

And please, tell us how we can do better, we are listening.

Like, comment, subscribe, and thanks for watching.

Looking forward to talking to you again next month.