topic Re: Cell elements formatting not working (version Aug 2025) in Developer

Cell elements formatting not working (version Aug 2025)

NasTr — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:36:59 GMT

All of a sudden formatting cell elements is no longer working. I tried to apply font color but it only works if I choose to apply it to value and totals. If I select to apply only to values it simply doesn't work.
Same issue with data bars. Can only be applied if you choose to apply on values AND totals , but is simply doesn't make sense in my case as when totals are included the lowest and highest value cannot be selected (and it has no meaning).

Re: Cell elements formatting not working (version Aug 2025)

v-sshirivolu — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:33:53 GMT

Hi @NasTr ,

This behavior is currently expected in Power BI Matrix/Table visuals. The “Values only” option in Cell elements formatting does not fully exclude totals, as totals and subtotals are processed differently. As a result, formatting such as font colors and data bars will only display when you select Values & Totals.

Workaround (DAX-based exclusion of Totals):
To apply formatting exclusively to row values, you can use ISINSCOPE() or HASONEVALUE() in a helper measure:

ValueForFormatting =
IF (
    ISINSCOPE ( YourTable[YourDimension] ),
    SUM ( YourTable[ValueColumn] ),
    BLANK()
)

Apply conditional formatting using ValueForFormatting rather than the original column. This ensures formatting appears only in detail rows, and is omitted in totals/subtotals.

This method prevents min/max scaling issues with data bars when totals are present.
You may assign a fixed color to totals using an ELSE condition if desired.
Ensure you are using the latest version of Power BI Desktop, as formatting features are updated regularly.

In summary, while Power BI does not natively support Values-only formatting for cell elements, leveraging a measure with ISINSCOPE() provides precise control over formatting application.

Re: Cell elements formatting not working (version Aug 2025)

NasTr — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:32:07 GMT

I have tried recreating the issue , tried a new matrix with other data, tried to do a matrix with the same data .... It was not possible to recreate the issue. Unfortunately I cannot share the file where this matrix with the strange reaction sits as it has sensitive data. It seems as a glitch .... I even copied the formatting to another matrix and the strange bevahiour was not transferred. I even cleared completely the matrix and reentered fields and the behaviour insisted! So I guess It was just my bad luck. It seems as it was my bad luck I guess.
recreated table and it is fine now