What’s New This Month in Power BI
Welcome to the June 2025 Power BI Monthly Update! In this update, we’re covering:
- General Availability (GA): Sparklines enhancements.
- Public Preview: Power Query in the browser, visual calculation improvements.
- Mobile Preview: Org apps support.
- Admin Alert: Azure Maps tenant settings.
Let’s dive into each update in detail.
1. Sparklines Now Generally Available (GA)
Power BI now supports sparklines with calculation groups, offering two unique application modes:
- Per Data Point (default): Applies filters individually to each month.
- Whole Sparkline: Considers aggregated data across the entire trend line.
| Mode | Behavior | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Per Data Point | Highlights only data points above the threshold. | Great for pinpointing outliers. |
| Whole Sparkline | Displays trend if total value meets threshold. | Ideal for trends over time. |
A helpful demo by Boniface walks through creating:
- Field Parameter (e.g.,
BigSalesSize = 1M) - DAX Measure: Flags months that exceed threshold.
- Calculation Group: Switches between Actuals, Threshold, and % of Grand Total.
Percent of Grand Total requires point‑level mode aggregate mode throws an error (though conversion is easy via context menu).
Experiment with both settings “Per Data Point” for granular insights, “Whole Sparkline” for overall trends.
2. Public Preview: Power Query in Web Import Models
Major Update: You can now edit import models directly in the browser using Power Query! No need to leave Power BI Service.
Features Highlight:
- Full Get Data experience online connect to various data sources.
- Add custom columns, e.g., merging name fields.
- Use Replace Values and other transformations directly.
- Switch between data grid and diagram views to see steps visually.
- One-click Save & Apply your data model updates instantly.
This “end-to-end browser experience” closes the gap between desktop and service capabilities.
Call to Action: Try data prep online with Power Query. Dive into the demo and share feedback via the Power BI feedback form.
3. Visual Calculation Enhancements
New tools to streamline visual calculations:
A. Parameter Pickers
- Auto-generated UI elements for predefined template params (e.g., moving average window).
- You can either select values via dialog or type manually.
- Benefits: Fewer typos, user-friendly interfacing, visual alignment between formula and output.
B. Robust Access References
- Changing visuals (e.g., switch from a bar chart) no longer breaks calculation.
- Unavailable fields are now ignored, not error‑triggering.
C. Explore Integration
- Build visual calculations directly in Explorer mode.
- Engage with highlights, templates, and parameter pickers seamlessly.
- If a visual isn’t compatible, adapt Vega‑style or remove the calc without losing work.
Why it Matters: These updates make visual analytics in Power BI faster, more reliable, and more intuitive.
4. Preview: Org Apps Available on Power BI Mobile
For Power BI Mobile users, Org apps are now supported (preview stage):
- Available alongside workspace apps, with dedicated app filters.
- Overview page supports themed mobile interaction, with sections and navigation tree.
- All content types are shown (e.g., datasets, reports); unsupported items (like notebooks or real-time dashboards) show a “View on Web” link.
- Org apps are now searchable, appear in Recents and Frequent lists, and include NFC tag support for quick access.
Mobile Productivity Boost: These enhancements make it easier to navigate and consume org-wide content on the go.
5. Admin Action: Azure Maps Tenant Settings
With the June release, Azure Maps visual now allows region‑specific data residency settings:
- For US and EU tenants, admin controls ensure location data stays within geographic boundaries.
- Call to Action: Admins, review your tenant settings and update accordingly to maintain compliance.
Final Thoughts
The June 2025 Power BI update brings significant improvements for visualization, model editing, mobile consumption, and governance:
- Sparklines with calculation groups empower nuanced trend analysis.
- Web-based Power Query enables seamless ETL in the browser.
- Enhanced visual calculations parameter pickers and robust integrations.
- Org apps on mobile improve content discoverability and ease of use.
- Azure Maps tenant settings help you stay compliant.
Related Resource
Check out the comprehensive Power BI training and resources at Databear Power BI Training.
