Microsoft Power BI provides an array of powerful tools and features that help users to analyze, visualize, and share data insights. One such feature is the selection pane, which plays a crucial role in managing the different visuals on a report page and providing a clear breakdown of item hierarchy. Utilizing the selection pane, users can group and layer visual elements, effectively controlling the visibility and composition of an entire report.
Understanding the Selection Pane
The selection pane can be accessed on the Power BI Desktop, under the “View” tab. Once opened, it lists all visuals on the present report page, along with their visibility status represented by the eye icon and layering order which can be rearranged by dragging and dropping.
The selection pane provides the names of all visuals, allowing for easy identification, organization, and modification. Each visual on the report page has a corresponding checkbox in the selection pane, enabling or disabling its visibility.
Grouping and Layering Visuals
Grouping
The grouping feature lets users combine visuals or other report elements that logically belong together so they can be treated as a single entity. Apart from clean organization, grouping items let users move or format them together, providing a consistent design experience.
To group visuals:
- Select multiple visuals by holding down the Control key and clicking on each visual.
- Click on the ellipsis (…) in the selection pane.
- Select “Group” from the dropdown menu.
Upon grouping, the grouped elements will appear under a new group name in the selection pane, initially termed “Group”, but editable to any desired name.
Layering
Layering allows users to arrange the “front to back” order of visuals in a report. For visuals that overlap, layering dictates which visual sits on top. This is particularly useful when dealing with complex reports where certain visuals like shapes or images might obstruct other important information.
To adjust the layering order of visuals:
- Select the visual you wish to move.
- Use the “Bring forward” and “Send backward” options in the selection pane to adjust the layering.
Note: For precise positioning, use the “Bring to front” and “Send to back” options.
Benefits of Using Selection Pane for Grouping and Layering
There are several advantages to using the selection pane for grouping and layering visuals in your Power BI reports:
- Enhanced Organization: Grouping similar visuals under one entity ensures a clean and well-organized report layout.
- Improved Visibility Control: The ability to toggle visibility provides flexibility to work on different parts of the report without distraction.
- Advanced Layering: Layering allows the creation of rich, dense dashboards without compromising visual clarity.
- Consistent Formatting: Grouping promotes consistent formatting, hallmarks of proficient report design.
In conclusion, the grouping and layering capabilities offered by the Power BI Selection Pane are powerful tools for visual organization and content clarity. Learning to leverage these tools effectively is an essential skill for Power BI users preparing for the PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst exam.
Practice Test
True or False: The selection pane in Power BI is used to show, hide, and manage the visibility of objects on a report page.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: The selection pane in Power BI is a pane where you can view, select, and modify the visibility of objects on a report page.
In Power BI, what is the primary function of the selection pane?
- a) To modify data
- b) To manage visuals
- c) To organize datasets
- d) None of the above
Answer: b) To manage visuals
Explanation: The primary function of the selection pane in Power BI is to manage visibility, grouping, and layering of visuals on a report page.
True or False: The selection pane in Power BI can’t be used to change the layering order of visuals.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The selection pane in Power BI indeed allows you to change the layering order of visuals by dragging and dropping them.
You can group visuals together using Power BI selection pane, True or False?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI’s selection pane supports grouping of visuals together thus facilitating better organization of your visuals.
Which of the following is NOT a feature of Power BI selection pane?
- a) Showing and hiding visuals
- b) Grouping and ungrouping visuals
- c) Changing the order of visuals
- d) Modifying the underlying data of the visuals
Answer: d) Modifying the underlying data of the visuals
Explanation: Power BI selection pane is for managing the appearance and organization of visual elements, not for data modification.
True or False: Grouped visuals in Power BI must follow the same format and theme.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Grouped visuals do not have to follow the same format or theme. Each visual in a group can be formatted independently.
In Power BI, visuals in a group can be moved together across the report canvas, True or False?
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: When visuals are grouped in Power BI, they move and size together, making it easier to align visuals on the report canvas.
How can you access the selection pane in Power BI?
- a) From the Home Tab
- b) From the View Tab
- c) From the Data Tab
- d) From the Report Tab
Answer: b) From the View Tab
Explanation: The selection pane in Power BI can be accessed from the View tab of the top navigation menu.
True or False: In Power BI, when visuals are grouped together, they cannot be ungrouped.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: In Power BI, visuals that are grouped together can be ungrouped as well.
Can you rename the visuals in the selection pane in Power BI?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: a) Yes
Explanation: Yes, the visuals in the selection pane can be given a more descriptive name to simplify the identification and selection process.
True or False: The selected visuals can overlap each other in Power BI report.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: Through the selection pane, you can control the layering order of objects – therefore visuals can overlap each other depending on their layer order.
Can you add new visuals directly from the Selection Pane in Power BI?
- a) Yes
- b) No
Answer: b) No
Explanation: While the Selection Pane allows you to manage and organize visuals, it does not provide an option to add new visuals. That’s achieved through the Home or Insert tab.
True or False: The selection pane helps in aligning visuals in Power BI.
- True
Answer: True
Explanation: The selection pane in Power BI lets you modify, organize, align and layer visuals for better presentation and understanding.
Which of the following cannot be done using the selection pane in Power BI?
- a) Hiding visuals
- b) Reordering visuals
- c) Adding data to visuals
- d) Grouping visuals
Answer: c) Adding data to visuals
Explanation: While the selection pane allows you manage visuals, it does not let you add data to the visuals. Data addition is handled through Power BI’s data pane.
True or False: You can apply the highlighter to visuals directly from the selection pane.
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The highlighter is not a feature of the selection pane, but rather the visualization pane in Power BI. The selection pane helps manage visibility, layering and grouping of visuals.
Interview Questions
What is the purpose of using a selection pane in Power BI?
The selection pane in Power BI is typically used to organize visuals on a report by grouping them into layers, which makes the designing and formatting process easier and more efficient.
How can one access the Selection pane in Power BI?
You can access the Selection pane by selecting “View” from the main menu, and then clicking on “Selection pane”.
Can you hide or show visuals in the Selection Pane in Power BI?
Yes, you can hide or show visuals in the selection pane by clicking the eye icon next to each visual in the selection pane.
How is the ordering of the visuals indicated in the Selection Pane?
The ordering of the visuals in the Selection Pane is displayed top-down, the visual at the top of the list in the selection pane is at the front on the report page, and the one at the bottom of the list is at the back on the report.
When you add a new visual to a report in Power BI, where does it appear in the Selection pane?
When you add a new visual to a report, Power BI adds it to the front of the visuals list in the Selection pane.
Is it possible to change the layer order of visuals by using the Selection pane in Power BI?
Yes, you can change the order of layers by dragging and dropping visuals to the desired position in the Selection pane.
How can you group visuals together in the Selection pane?
You can group visuals together by selecting multiple visuals at once, then choosing the “Group” option in Power BI’s Selection pane.
What is the benefit of grouping visuals in Power BI Selection Pane?
Grouping visuals in Power BI makes it easier to manage a large number of visuals on a page, move them around as a group, format them as a group, or show and hide them as a group.
Can you rename a visual in Power BI’s Selection Pane?
Yes, to rename a visual in the Selection Pane, simply select the visual and then click on the name to make it editable.
How would one ungroup visuals that have been previously grouped in the Selection Pane in Power BI?
Ungrouping visuals in the Selection Pane can be done by selecting the group and then clicking on the “Ungroup” option.
Can textbox visuals be managed via the Selection pane in Power BI?
Yes, textbox visuals can be organized and managed using the Selection pane in Power BI, just like other visuals in the report.
Can one copy visuals from the selection pane in Power BI?
No, visuals cannot be directly copied from the Selection pane in Power BI, they need to be copied from the report canvas itself.
Can items in the Selection Pane be locked to prevent accidental movement or edits?
Yes, you can lock layers in the Selection Pane to prevent them from being accidentally moved or adjusted during the editing process.
Can an individual visual be part of more than one group in the selection pane?
No, an individual visual cannot be part of more than one group in the selection pane.
Can you filter visuals using the Selection pane in Power BI?
No, the Selection pane does not support any filtering functionality. It’s only used for managing the visuals placements.
extutorials.com