Build a Slicer Panel in Power BI Like a PRO

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to build a custom slicer panel in Power BI that can be shown or hidden with the click of a button. This feature not only saves space on your dashboard but also enhances user experience. This guide is based on the first part of a four-part series, so be sure to check back for more advanced techniques.

Step 1: Build the Filter Pane

1. Open Power BI and create a new report or use an existing one.
2. Go to the “Visualizations” pane and select the slicer visual.
3. Drag the desired field you want to filter by into the slicer.
4. Adjust the slicer settings:
   • Change the slicer type to “Dropdown” for a cleaner look.
   • Format the slicer in the “Format” section to match your dashboard's theme.
5. Position the slicer on your canvas where it will be visible when the panel is open.

Step 2: Add Buttons for User Interaction

1. Go to the “Insert” tab in Power BI.
2. Select “Button” and choose a type (e.g., Blank button).
3. Place the button on your canvas where you want users to click to toggle the slicer panel.
4. Format the button:
   • Change the text to something like “Show Filters” or “Hide Filters.”
   • Adjust color and style to fit your dashboard design.
5. Duplicate this button and change the text to the opposite action (e.g., “Hide Filters” for the second button).

Step 3: Create Bookmarks to Control Visibility

1. With the slicer panel visible, go to the “View” tab and select “Bookmarks.”
2. Click “Add” to create a new bookmark. Name it “Filters Visible.”
3. Hide the slicer panel by selecting it and changing its visibility in the selection pane.
4. Add another bookmark and name it “Filters Hidden.”
5. Select the slicer panel again and make it invisible. Update the second bookmark to save this state.

Step 4: Assign Buttons to Bookmarks

1. Select the first button (“Show Filters”).
2. In the “Visualizations” pane, find the “Action” option and toggle it on.
3. Set the action type to “Bookmark” and choose “Filters Visible.”
4. Repeat this process for the second button (“Hide Filters”), linking it to the “Filters Hidden” bookmark.

Step 5: Test Your Slicer Panel

1. Enter presentation mode in Power BI by clicking on the “View” tab and selecting “Reading View.”
2. Click the buttons to ensure the slicer panel appears and disappears as expected.
3. Make any necessary adjustments to the button sizes or positions for optimal usability.

Conclusion

You have successfully created a custom slicer panel in Power BI that enhances your dashboard's functionality and user experience. This setup allows users to toggle the visibility of filters, keeping your designs clean and efficient. Be sure to explore the upcoming parts of this series for more advanced features and techniques to further improve your Power BI reports.