Configure bookmarks

Introduction:

As a data analyst using Microsoft Power BI, you may often find the need to customize and present your reports and dashboards to convey insights effectively. Bookmarks in Power BI are a valuable feature that allows you to record and configure specific views of your reports. In this article, we will explore how to configure bookmarks in Microsoft Power BI to enhance your data analysis skills.

What are Bookmarks?

Bookmarks in Power BI are essentially snapshots of specific report views, including slicer selections, visual interactions, filters, and more. They enable you to present data in a consistent manner, navigate through specific insights, and even build interactive presentations.

Configuring Bookmarks in Power BI:

Let’s go through the steps to configure bookmarks within Power BI:

Step 1: Create Your Report:

Start by creating your report or dashboard in Power BI Desktop. Add visuals, slicers, and any interactions required to illustrate your data analysis effectively.

Step 2: Open the Bookmarks Pane:

To access the bookmark feature, navigate to the “View” tab in Power BI Desktop and click on the “Bookmarks” button. This action will open the Bookmarks pane on the right side of the screen.

Step 3: Creating a Bookmark:

With the Bookmarks pane open, configure your report to the desired view, including slicer selections, visual interactions, filters, and any other relevant settings. Once you are satisfied with the view, click on the “Add” button in the Bookmarks pane to create a new bookmark.

Step 4: Customize Bookmark Name and Thumbnail:

To make it easier to navigate and identify bookmarks, rename your bookmark to something descriptive by double-clicking on the default name. Additionally, you can customize the thumbnail image that represents the bookmark by specifying a visual or manually selecting an image.

Step 5: Repeat for Other Bookmarks:

Continue creating additional bookmarks by following the same steps described above. Each bookmark can represent a different view or interaction within your report.

Step 6: Rearrange Bookmarks:

In the Bookmarks pane, you can drag and drop bookmarks to rearrange their order. This feature enables you to control the flow of your presentation or report navigation.

Step 7: Configure Bookmark Display Options:

With multiple bookmarks created, you have the option to decide which elements within the report should change when a bookmark is selected. In the Bookmarks pane, choose the “Display” option for each bookmark and specify whether it should affect visuals, slicers, or other elements.

Step 8: Utilize Selection-Only Bookmarks:

Power BI allows you to create selection-only bookmarks that only record slicer choices and interactions without affecting the visuals. This feature is useful when you want to maintain the same visual but change the data based on different slicer selections.

Step 9: Test and Present Your Bookmarks:

To test your bookmarks, switch to the “Reading” view in Power BI Desktop or publish your report to the Power BI service and use the “Play” mode. You can then click on each bookmark to navigate between different views, showcasing your data analysis effectively.

Conclusion:

Configuring bookmarks in Microsoft Power BI offers data analysts the flexibility to present their insights in a structured and interactive manner. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can create and customize bookmarks to navigate through different report views, enhance presentations, and provide a seamless user experience. Experiment with bookmarks within Power BI to optimize your data analysis workflow and effectively communicate your findings.