Power BI Field Parameter: A Guide for Smarter Reporting

Power BI Field parameters are somewhat new, but they’re an effective function that helps users toggle between what dimensions (or measures) a visualization is showing. With the feature, the creation of these parameters is automated, and that eliminates the labor-intensive workarounds that existed in the past.

In this blog, you’ll discover what Power BI field parameters are, advanced techniques for field parameters Power BI, use cases for Power BI field parameters, and how to create a Power BI field parameter.

Table of Contents:

1. What are Field Parameters in Power BI?
2. Advanced Techniques for Field Parameters Power BI
3. Why Should You Use this Feature?
4. How Do You Create a Power BI Field Parameter?
5. How to Visualize Data in Power BI Reports?
6. What are the Benefits of Using Field Parameters in Power BI?
7. Wrap Up

First…

What are Field Parameters in Power BI?

Definition: Field parameters enable users to select the columns they want to analyze in a visual using a slicer. That is, users can dynamically modify the visual to show only specific dimensions or metrics from the Power BI dataset.

Advanced Techniques for Field Parameters Power BI

• Dynamic Measures: Field parameters can be used to switch between different measures in visuals.
• Dynamic Axis Switching: It can be used to dynamically change the axis of charts. With a field parameter, you can select different dimensions and apply them to the visual’s axis property.
• Dynamic Filtering: Users can apply different filters based on their selection. You can create a measure with DAX that adjusts based on the selected parameter to filter data dynamically.
• Dynamic Hierarchies: It can be used to switch dynamically between hierarchy levels (like Year or Month).
• Dynamic Titles and Labels: It’s used to change titles and labels based on the selected field parameter.

Why Should You Use this Feature?

Field parameters help you

• Declutter reports and improve performance by reducing the number of visuals.
• Make interactive reports by offering dropdowns, buttons, and checkboxes to select columns.

Use Cases for Power BI Field Parameters

• Interactive Dashboards: Users can switch between different metrics or dimensions, and that enhances user interaction and customization.
• Dynamic Reporting: It facilitates the creation of reports that adapt to user user-selected fields like changing between financial KPIs or performance indicators without altering the report structure.
• Flexible Analysis: It gives room for dynamic axis changes in charts, allowing users to view data by different time periods or categories. This could involve switching from monthly to quarterly sales KPIs.
• Personalized Insights: Users can adjust filters in Power BI and visuals based on their preferences like filtering data based on selected business departments.

How Do You Create a Power BI Field Parameter?

Step 1: Enable Field Parameters in Settings

If you can’t find the “Fields” option at Modeling > New Parameter, you’ll have to enable it in the settings. To do that, open Power BI Desktop and Navigate to Options and Settings.

Go to Options > Global > Preview features and tick the checkbox against “Field parameters.” Next, click “Ok” to save the settings.

Step 2: Define a New Field Parameter

You’ll have to add data to your report. Power BI supports a few native connectors and/or lets you manually import data. After your data is loaded, you’ll have to go to the Modeling tab to create new field parameters in Power BI. To do that, click “New parameter,” and select Fields from the drop-down.

Enter a name for the parameter. The name will be displayed in the data pane. Select the dimensions and metrics from the “Fields” section. You also have the option of renaming the field names and changing their order in the field parameters.

To add a slicer to the report, you’ll have to tick the checkbox at the bottom. Next, click the “Create” button to add the field parameter.

The DAX expressions are used to generate a Power BI field parameter table in the data pane.

Step 3: How to Use Power BI Field Parameters in Visuals and Reports

The created field parameter can be used to build a dynamic visual. For instance, here’s a new table visual that has been built using the field parameter.

The parameter slicer can be used to interact with the Power BI visuals. The image below shows how it has been used to display only certain fields in the table visual.

To make the slicer in Power BI more user-friendly, you’ll have to change its appearance. To do that, select the slicer and navigate to Visualizations > Format Visual to adjust the visual appearance.

How to Visualize Data in Power BI Reports?

Stage 1: Log into Power BI, enter your email, and click “Submit.”

• Log in to Power BI.
• Enter your email address and click the “Submit” button.

• You are redirected to your Microsoft account.
• Enter your password and click “Sign in“.

• You can choose whether to stay signed in.

• Once done, the Power BI home screen will open.

Stage 2: Create a Data Set and Select the Data Set to Use in the Sankey Chart

• Go to the left-side menu and click the “Create” button.
• Select “Paste or manually enter data“.

• We’ll use the sample data below for this example.

Application Channels	Initial Screening	Conduct Interviews	Employee Onboarding	Total Candidates
Social Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	32
Social Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	400
Social Media	Short Listed	Knocked Out		800
Social Media	Knocked Out			1100
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	20
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	250
Company Career Page	Short Listed	Knocked Out		500
Company Career Page	Knocked Out			900
Events	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	5
Events	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	100
Events	Short Listed	Knocked Out		200
Events	Knocked Out			350
Paper Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	3
Paper Media	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	80
Paper Media	Short Listed	Knocked Out		135
Paper Media	Knocked Out			700
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	10
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	70
Employee Referrals	Short Listed	Knocked Out		80
Employee Referrals	Knocked Out			110
Direct	Short Listed	Final Interview	Hired	25
Direct	Short Listed	Final Interview	Not Hired	150
Direct	Short Listed	Knocked Out		425
Direct	Knocked Out			600

• Paste the data table above into the “Power Query” window. After that, select the “Create a dataset only” option.

• Navigate to the left-side menu, and click on the “Data Hub” option. Power BI will populate the data set list. If the data set has not been created, you’ll get an error message.

• Click on the “Create report” dropdown.

• To add the Power BI Sankey Diagram Extension by ChartExpo, you’ll have to use an add-in or Power BI visual from AppSource. Navigate to the right side of the Power BI dashboard, and open the Power BI Visualizations panel. After that, click on the ellipsis symbol (…) to import the Power BI Sankey Diagram extension by ChartExpo. In the menu that opens, select the “Get more visuals” option.

• A window opens. Enter “ChartExpo” in the highlighted search box. You’ll see the “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” as shown in the image below.

• After that, click on the Sankey Diagram, and also click on the highlighted “Add” button.

• Power BI will add the “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” icon in the visualization panel.

• To draw a Sankey Diagram with ChartExpo’s Power BI extension, select the “Sankey Diagram for Power BI by ChartExpo” icon in the visualization panel. A window similar to the one below will open in the report section of your dashboard.

• You’ll have to select the fields to use in the Sankey chart.

• When selecting the fields, follow the sequence below:
• • Application Channels
  • Initial Screening
  • Conduct Interviews
  • Employee Onboarding
  • Total Candidates
• You’ll have to provide your email address or the ChartExpo license key. To see the Sankey Chart, add the key under the visual section.

• You can add the top header text in the chart under the General section.

• Click on visual to set the number and also enable the options as shown below:

• You can change the “Node Font Style” as shown below:

• You can change “Level Font Style” as shown below:

• You can see the Level Labels.

• Here’s how to change the Nodes color.

• Here’s “How to change Level 1 color.” You can follow the same steps to change the Nodes color of other levels.

• After changing the all-nodes color, here’s the final look of the HR Dashboard in Power BI using ChartExpo.

Insights

• Social Media is the primary application channel with the highest number of candidates (1100).
• Company Career Page has the second-highest number of candidates with 900 candidates.
• Paper Media and Events have comparatively lower candidate counts of 700 and 350, respectively.
• Direct applications have 600 candidates.

Optimize Reporting with Dynamic Charts Using Power BI Field Parameter:

Discover the power of Power BI Field Parameters with this interactive guide, where you’ll learn how to create dynamic, user-driven reports and visuals. Field Parameters in Power BI allow you to easily swap between different fields or measures, giving you the flexibility to adjust your visuals based on user selection. By integrating field parameters into your charts and graphs, you can create highly interactive reports that adapt to varying data views. This feature helps you showcase multiple perspectives of your data, enabling viewers to explore different metrics and trends in a visually engaging and efficient manner.

What are the Benefits of Using Field Parameters in Power BI?

• Enhanced Interactivity: It allows users to switch between different metrics, dimensions, or hierarchies, thereby offering a more engaging and interactive experience.
• Flexibility: It allows users to customize visual analytics and analyses without creating multiple versions of the same report.
• Reduced Report Duplication: It minimizes the need to create separate reports for different metrics or KPIs. After all, a single report can adapt based on the user selections.
• Improved User Experience: It offers a more tailored experience by allowing users to focus on relevant data and insights based on their preferences or needs.

FAQs

How do you write parameters in Power BI?

To write parameters, you’ll have to use the “What If” parameter feature or DAX expressions. Define parameters in the “Modeling” tab, and use them in measures, calculations, and visuals.

What is the difference between Field parameters and calculation groups in Power BI?

Field parameters give room for dynamic field selection in reports, while calculation groups provide a way to apply reusable calculations or measures across multiple visuals. Calculation groups focus on measures, while field parameters focus on field selection.

How can Power BI Field Parameters enhance the interactivity of my reports?

Field parameters enhance interactivity by letting users dynamically switch between dimensions, metrics, or hierarchies. This allows for customizable views and analysis within the report without the need to modify its structure.

Wrap Up

Power BI Field parameters allow dynamic field selection in reports. Advanced techniques for field parameters in Power BI include dynamic measures, axis switching, filtering, hierarchies, and titles and labels.

With field parameters, users can dynamically switch between different metrics, hierarchies, and dimensions. And that provides a more engaging and interactive experience. It also minimizes the need for creating separate reports for different metrics or dimensions.

Field parameters streamline maintenance. It makes it easy to maintain and update reports. After all, changes to field parameters automatically reflect across all relevant visuals and calculations.

Finally, it enables users to focus on relevant data and insights based on their preferences or needs.

The Field parameter in Power BI is a feature that helps you interact with your data. This will, in turn, lead to a more robust data analysis.