Applying and customizing a theme involve several steps that require the Power BI Data Analyst’s understanding of design principles and functionalities within Power Platform. Utilizing a theme can unify your report’s look and feel while letting you express your company’s branding or your personal aesthetic preferences.
Applying a theme in Power BI
To apply a theme in Power BI, follow these steps:
- Within Power BI Desktop, go to View Tab > Themes > Switch Theme.
- Choose ‘Import Theme’
- Select the JSON theme file you’d like to use and open it.
Customizing reports in Power BI
Power BI allows customization of its reports. You can tweak the font, color scheme, visualization styles, and other formatting details of a theme. All these customizations are done in a .json file, which you import into Power BI. A .json file for a theme will typically look like this:
{
“name”: “Custom Theme”,
“dataColors”: [“#01B8AA”, “#374649”, “#FD625E”, “#F2C80F”, “#5F6B6D”, “#8AD4EB”, “#FE9666”, “#A66999”, “#3599B8”, “#DFBFBF”, “#4AC5BB”, “#5F6B6D”, “#FB8281”, “#F4D25A”, “#7F898A”, “#A4DDEE”, “#FDAB89”, “#B687AC”, “#28738A”, “#A78F8F”, “#168980”, “#293537”, “#BB4A4A”, “#B59525”, “#475052”, “#6A9AE2”, “#BD7150”, “#7B4F71”, “#1F4E5F”, “#706060”],
“background”: “#FFFFFF”,
“foreground”: “#F2F2F2”,
“tableAccent”: “#E6E6E6”
}
This code specifies the theme’s name and the colors used in various elements of your Power BI reports. You could further customize properties like visualStyles, textClasses, and others as per requirements. Understanding the individual components of the theme JSON structure will enable you to customize it further.
"name"
refers to the name of your custom theme."dataColors"
provides an array of primary colours that will be used for data visualizations."background"
sets the color of the report background."foreground"
influences the color of category labels on visuals."tableAccent"
changes the color of the table grid lines and column headers.
However, to create a comprehensive and visually appealing report, one may need to consider beyond colors, like fonts and visual style elements. For example:
{
“name”: “Custom Theme”,
…,
“textClasses”: {
“callout”: {
“color”: “#fc7e0f”,
“fontFamily”: “Arial”,
“fontSize”: 14
},
“header”: {
“color”: “#0b97d4”,
“fontFamily”: “Arial Black”,
“fontSize”: 25
}
}
}
In this example, the “textClasses” section enables customization of the text features such as color, font size, and font family.
Microsoft Power BI also offers functionality for advanced visual formatting within the visualStyles property. This allows for a more in-depth level of customization, catering to everything from the specific chart visuals to the precise layout of floating elements.
Conclusion
In conclusion, applying and customizing a theme in Power BI can greatly enhance the quality of your reports by adding a personalized touch and making the data more appealing and understandable. With a clear understanding of JSON theme files, you can skillfully brand your reports to fit any visual aesthetic or company brand guidelines.
Practice Test
True or False: A user cannot customize the color palette of a theme in Power BI.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Power BI allows users to customize the color palette of a theme according to their preferences and needs.
Which of the following can be customized in a theme?
- A) Color
- B) Font
- C) Visuals
- D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: In Power BI, all these aspects can be personalized as per the user’s needs to change the overall appearance of the report.
True or False: A theme can be imported from a JSON file.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI allows users to import a theme from a JSON file, which defines the color palette, font styles, and other visual settings.
After installing a new Power BI theme, where can you see this new theme?
- A) In all reports
- B) In the report you are working on
- C) In the settings menu
- D) In the theme repository
Answer: B) In the report you are working on
Explanation: A newly installed theme in Power BI will only be visible in the report where it was applied.
What is the maximum number of colors a theme can contain in its palette in Power BI?
- A) 6
- B) 10
- C) 20
- D) Unlimited
Answer: D) Unlimited
Explanation: Power BI has no maximum limit for the number of colors a theme can contain in its palette.
True or False: Once a theme is applied, users cannot switch back to the default theme.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Users can switch back to the default theme at any point in Power BI. Theme changes are not permanent.
What file format is needed to import a theme into Power BI?
- A) .txt
- B) .json
- C) .csv
- D) .docx
Answer: B) .json
Explanation: Themes are imported into Power BI with .json file format.
True or False: You can apply different themes to different pages within the same Power BI report.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI, on an individual page basis, allows users to apply different themes within the same report.
Can you apply a theme to multiple reports at once in Power BI?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: B) No
Explanation: Themes must be applied to each report individually.
True or False: Power BI themes can control the display of visual elements such as charts and tables in a report.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Themes in Power BI determine the overall visual aesthetics of a report, including the display of visual elements such as charts and tables.
Which of the following is not a property that a theme determines in Power BI?
- A) Color
- B) Layout
- C) Report data
- D) Font style
Answer: C) Report data
Explanation: Themes in Power BI determine aesthetic aspects, such as color, layout, and font style, but they cannot determine report data.
True or False: Once a theme is applied in Power BI, the report must be published to apply changes.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Changes to a theme are immediately reflected in the report, and publishing is not required for the changes to take effect.
Can a specific theme be set as a default for all new reports in Power BI?
- A) Yes
- B) No
Answer: B) No
Explanation: Power BI does not allow setting a specific theme as a default for all new reports. Each new report starts with the default theme.
True or False: You can change the background color of a report using a theme in Power BI.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Power BI themes allow for extensive customizations, including changing the background color of a report.
What’s the purpose of the “Colorblind safe” toggle in the Power BI color palette?
- A) Customize colors
- B) Ensure visibility for users with color vision deficiency
- C) Remove all colors from the report
Answer: B) Ensure visibility for users with color vision deficiency
Explanation: The “Colorblind safe” toggle modifies the color palette to ensure that the report is visible and clear to colorblind individuals.
Interview Questions
What is a theme in Power BI?
A theme in Power BI is a collection of configurations that defines the look and feel of a report, including colors, visuals, and text styles.
How can you apply a theme in Power BI?
You can apply a theme in Power BI by going to the “View” tab, selecting the “Themes” dropdown menu, and choosing a theme from the list.
Can themes be customized in Power BI?
Yes, themes can be customized in Power BI by adjusting the colors, fonts, and other design elements to match specific branding or styling requirements.
Where can you find pre-built themes in Power BI?
Pre-built themes in Power BI can be found in the “Themes Gallery” which offers a variety of themes that users can apply to their reports.
What is the benefit of applying a theme in Power BI?
Applying a theme in Power BI provides consistency in the design and branding of reports, making them more visually appealing and professional-looking.
How can you create a custom theme in Power BI?
You can create a custom theme in Power BI by modifying an existing theme or starting from scratch using the built-in Theme Generator tool.
What elements of a report can be customized using themes in Power BI?
Themes in Power BI can be used to customize colors, fonts, backgrounds, borders, and other design elements of visuals and report components.
Can themes be shared with other users in Power BI?
Yes, themes can be shared with other users in Power BI by exporting them as JSON files and importing them into other reports or sharing them through the Themes Gallery.
How can you import a custom theme in Power BI?
You can import a custom theme in Power BI by going to the “View” tab, selecting the “Themes” dropdown menu, and choosing “Import theme” to upload the JSON file.
Is it possible to revert to the default theme after applying a custom theme in Power BI?
Yes, you can revert to the default theme in Power BI by selecting the “Default” theme from the available options in the Theme dropdown menu.