Introduction
Power BI is a powerful data visualization tool, offering a variety of built-in charts and graphs. However, when standard visuals don’t meet specific business requirements, Power BI Custom Visuals come into play. These visuals allow users to create tailored, interactive, and advanced visualizations that enhance data storytelling.
In this blog post, we’ll cover:
- What are Power BI Custom Visuals?
- Why should you use custom visuals?
- Different types of custom visuals
- How to add and use custom visuals in Power BI
- Best practices for using custom visuals effectively
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a clear understanding of how custom visuals can elevate your Power BI reports for deeper business insights.
What Are Power BI Custom Visuals?
Power BI Custom Visuals are additional visualization options created by Microsoft, third-party developers, or organizations to extend the built-in Power BI visuals. These visuals are developed using TypeScript and D3.js and can be customized to meet specific business needs.
There are three main ways to get custom visuals in Power BI:
- Download from Microsoft AppSource – Microsoft provides an official marketplace for Power BI visuals.
- Import Custom .pbiviz Files – Developers create their own visuals and share them as
.pbivizfiles. - Develop Your Own Custom Visuals – Using Power BI’s developer tools, businesses can create unique visuals tailored to their needs.
These visuals allow users to go beyond traditional bar charts and pie charts, offering advanced ways to analyze and present data.
Why Use Custom Visuals in Power BI?
While Power BI’s default visuals are useful, they may not always be enough to tell a compelling data story. Here’s why businesses and analysts prefer custom visuals:
1. Advanced Data Representation
Custom visuals allow for more complex and industry-specific charts like:
- Sankey diagrams (to analyze relationships and flows)
- Gantt charts (for project management tracking)
- Bullet charts (for performance comparisons)
2. Enhanced User Experience & Interactivity
Many custom visuals come with extra interactive features that standard Power BI charts lack, improving user engagement.
3. Industry-Specific Use Cases
- Finance: Waterfall charts for financial statements
- Sales: Funnel charts for sales pipelines
- Healthcare: Heatmaps for patient data analysis
4. Better Branding & Customization
Companies can customize colors, themes, and styles to align with their branding, making reports look professional and visually appealing.
5. Improved Data Storytelling
Custom visuals help in highlighting patterns, trends, and insights that may be overlooked using standard charts.
Types of Custom Visuals in Power BI
Power BI custom visuals can be categorized into different types based on their functionality. Below are some of the most popular types:
1. Advanced Charting Visuals
- Sankey Diagram – Shows the flow of data between categories.
- Bullet Chart – Compares performance against a target.
- Funnel Chart – Analyzes sales or business processes.
- Radar Chart – Compares multiple variables at once.
2. Financial & Performance Visuals
- Waterfall Chart – Shows cumulative effects in financial data.
- KPI Indicator – Displays key performance indicators with trends.
- Gauge Chart – Measures progress toward a goal.
3. Geospatial & Mapping Visuals
- Mapbox Custom Map – Provides interactive location-based insights.
- Heatmaps – Displays data density over a geographical area.
- ArcGIS Maps – Offers in-depth geographical data visualization.
4. Advanced Tables & Matrix Visuals
- Smart Table – Provides filtering, sorting, and formatting.
- Hierarchy Tree – Displays hierarchical data in an interactive format.
How to Add Custom Visuals in Power BI?
Adding custom visuals to your Power BI report is easy. Follow these steps:
Method 1: Import from AppSource
- Open Power BI Desktop.
- Click on “Insert” > “Get more visuals”.
- The Microsoft AppSource window will open.
- Search for the desired custom visual (e.g., “Sankey Chart”).
- Click “Add” and it will be available in your visualization pane.
Method 2: Import a .pbiviz File
- Download a custom visual (.pbiviz) file from a trusted source.
- In Power BI Desktop, go to “Insert” > “More visuals” > “Import a visual from a file”.
- Select the .pbiviz file and import it into Power BI.
Method 3: Develop Your Own Custom Visuals
If you need a completely unique visualization, you can develop it using Power BI Developer Tools and TypeScript/D3.js.
Best Practices for Using Power BI Custom Visuals
1. Choose Reliable Sources
Download visuals only from Microsoft AppSource or trusted providers to ensure security and performance.
2. Optimize Performance
Some custom visuals require high processing power. Always test their impact on report performance, especially with large datasets.
3. Keep User Experience in Mind
- Use intuitive visuals that make data easier to understand.
- Avoid overly complex visuals that confuse users.
4. Use Custom Visuals Sparingly
While custom visuals are powerful, too many different visuals can slow down performance and make reports cluttered.
5. Ensure Compatibility with Power BI Service
Not all custom visuals work well in Power BI Service or mobile view. Always test compatibility before deployment.
Conclusion
Power BI custom visuals offer businesses the flexibility to create tailored, interactive, and insightful dashboards beyond standard charts and graphs. Whether you need industry-specific visuals, enhanced interactivity, or branded reports, custom visuals allow for next-level data analysis.
