Creating a Power BI info panel is a simple but powerful way to enhance report usability. With just PowerPoint and bookmarks, you can build interactive overlays that guide your users through key features without cluttering the design.
Why Add an Info Panel to Your Power BI Report?
Power BI dashboards often contain valuable features and filters that go unnoticed by users. An info panel overlay helps:
- Educate users on available visuals and filters
- Highlight key features
- Improve usability without cluttering the report layout
1: Finalize Your Power BI Report
Before creating the info panel, ensure your report is complete:
- All visuals finalized
- Layout and filters in place
- Ready to publish
Changes after adding an info panel may require rework, so hold off until the design is locked.
2: Take a Screenshot of Your Report
To build an accurate overlay:
- Open your report in Power BI Desktop.
- Use a tool like Snipping Tool, Snagit, or just hit
Print Screenon your keyboard. - Capture the entire report canvas as precisely as possible.
3: Design the Info Panel in PowerPoint
You don’t need Photoshop—PowerPoint works perfectly for this. Follow these steps:
Insert and Size the Screenshot
- Open PowerPoint (default resolution is 16:9, which matches Power BI).
- Paste the screenshot onto a blank slide.
- Resize the image to cover the entire canvas.
Create the Transparent Overlay
- Insert a rectangle shape.
- Snap it to all four corners of the slide.
- Format it with a color of your choice and set transparency to around 80%.
Add Informative Callouts
- Insert callout shapes or text boxes.
- Label key areas of the report like:
“Click here to filter by region” or “Hover for tooltip info”. - Customize the style (text color, shadows, borders) to make it visually distinct.
4: Export the Overlay as a Transparent Image
To preserve the transparent background:
- Select all elements (
Ctrl + A). - Right-click → Save as Picture.
- Choose PNG format and name it (e.g.,
info-panel.png).
Important: Avoid using PowerPoint’s file menu > Save As. That method won’t preserve transparency.
5: Add the Info Panel Image to Your Power BI Report
Now jump back into Power BI:
- Go to your report canvas.
- Insert the saved PNG image.
- Resize and align it to match the original layout.
You may notice faint borders—this is typical with PowerPoint exports. If precision is critical, consider using a tool like Photoshop for edge refinement.
6: Use Bookmarks and Buttons to Toggle Visibility
This is where the interactivity comes alive.
Create Bookmarks
- With the image visible, open Bookmarks pane.
- Create a bookmark called “Info Panel Open”.
- Uncheck Data in bookmark settings to avoid altering visuals.
- Hide the image and create a second bookmark called “Info Panel Closed”.
Add a Toggle Button
- Insert a blank button on your report.
- Set its fill to match your overlay color and adjust transparency (~57%).
- On hover, set the transparency to 100% for a visual cue.
- Set the action type to Bookmark → Info Panel Open.
Make the Info Panel Dismissible
- Select the info panel image.
- Turn on Action → set it to Info Panel Closed.
- This way, clicking the overlay hides it.
Final Result: Smooth User Guidance
Now, users can click a button to reveal the info panel and click again to hide it. You’ve added guidance and clarity without redesigning the report—just smart layering and bookmarking.
Conclusion
Using PowerPoint, transparent PNGs, and Power BI bookmarks, you can create a polished, interactive info panel that boosts usability. Whether you’re guiding first-time users or surfacing advanced filters, this trick keeps things simple and stylish.
Want to go deeper into Power BI design techniques?
Check out Power BI Training from Data Bear
