Power BI Images: Improve Your Reports with Simple Design

If you’ve ever built a Power BI report that works but doesn’t quite wow, you’re not alone. The data may be accurate and the visuals may function, but without strong design and without using Power BI images effectively your report can still fall flat. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use images strategically to transform the look, feel, and usability of your Power BI dashboards.

Part 1: Add Simple Branding with Embedded Images

Branding is one of the fastest ways to elevate the look of a Power BI report. Even a small change, such as adding your company’s logo, can make a report feel more polished and intentional.

Start by removing placeholder text boxes and replacing them with a real logo image:

1. Go to Insert → Image
2. Choose your logo file
3. Position it neatly at the top of the canvas

Power BI embeds the image directly into the PBIX file which is convenient. But keep this in mind: you do not want to embed dozens or hundreds of images, because your file size will balloon.

 2: Use Dynamic Images with Image URLs

Images bring context that numbers alone can’t deliver flags, product icons, team photos, brand imagery, and more. Instead of embedding these images, you can load them dynamically through image URLs.

Step 2.1: Load Image URLs into Power BI

For this example, we’re using a dataset of publicly hosted country flags. The table includes:

• Country code
• Image URL

Load the data using Get Data, then create a relationship between the new image table and your existing sales table using matching country codes.

Step 2.2: Mark the Column as “Image URL”

In Data View, select the URL field and mark it as an Image URL. This tells Power BI to render the link as an image rather than text.

Step 2.3: Format Your Table Like a Pro

Here are a few formatting tips that make a huge difference:

• Set image size (e.g., 45px works well)
• Use a readable font size (14pt for accessibility)
• Bold your column headers
• Rename columns only for this visual (e.g., “Total Sales” instead of “Sum of Total_Sale”)
• Resize columns using Shift + Arrow keys for pixel-perfect control
• Center-align numeric fields
• Rename the flag column to a single period (“.”) and turn the header font white to hide it
• Choose a clean Style Preset, such as Minimal
• Match your brand colors under Grid → Color

Your table now looks structured, balanced, and professionally branded.

Part 3: Build a Dynamic Image Slicer with Your Own Hosted Images

This step is where your report starts to feel truly interactive and personalized.

Step 3.1: Host Your Images on OneDrive or SharePoint

Save your custom icons (e.g., cat, dog, rabbit) in OneDrive for Business.

To generate a direct URL:

1. Click Share → Anyone with the link
2. Copy the link
3. Replace everything after the question mark with:

   ?download=1
   

This “secret handshake” ensures Power BI retrieves the image directly.

Step 3.2: Create a Lookup Table

Create a simple two-column table:

• Category
• Image URL

You can use Home → Enter Data since it’s a small, static lookup table.

Create a relationship between this lookup table and your main fact table.

Step 3.3: Build an Image Slicer

Use the Button Slicer visual:

1. Drag in your category field
2. Under Format → Images, select your Image URL field
3. Turn off text labels
4. Adjust the image fit (choose Fit for a clean look)

Step 3.4: Style the Slicer

Improve clarity and usability:

• Change the selected background from black to white
• Add a title like “Filter by Category”
• Use an Accent Bar to show which category is selected
• Match your brand color (e.g., yellow)

This produces a clean, intuitive, text-free slicer that users will love.

Part 4: Add Final Polish to Create a Truly Professional Report

Now that your report is functional and visually consistent, it’s time to elevate it one last level.

Step 4.1: Improve Your Main Chart

Start by adjusting:

• Bar colors
• Title size
• Border styling
• Data label formatting

Then add conditional formatting so the highest values are highlighted in your brand color (e.g., yellow) and lower values appear in gray. This guides the user’s eye naturally to the most important insights.

Step 4.2: Switch to a Pie Chart (When It Makes Sense)

For datasets with only a few categories, sometimes a pie chart offers clearer proportional insights. After switching from a bar chart, your conditional formatting will still apply.

 Enhance Layout and Spacing

Check:

• Padding
• Border spacing
• Title alignment
• Font consistency

These details dramatically improve readability.

 Use a Header Panel for Cohesion

A light gray canvas improves contrast, but the top section may feel awkward. Fix it by:

1. Inserting a Rectangle shape
2. Setting the background to white
3. Sending it behind the visuals

This creates a subtle header panel that ties your logo and slicer together.

The Before and After: Same Data, New Experience

With just a few simple, code-free adjustments, you’ve transformed a basic report into a polished, branded, interactive Power BI experience.

• Cleaner visuals
• Consistent design
• Recognizable branding
• Intuitive navigation
• Thoughtful use of images
• Strong usability

This is exactly the kind of dashboard that users enjoy coming back to and trust for decision-making.

What’s Next? Keep Building Code-Free Skills

If you want to continue improving your Power BI skills without writing code, I highly recommend exploring drill-through features.

Check out this Power BI training resource:
https://databear.com/power-bi-training/