topic Re: Conditional formating using DAX in Desktop

Conditional formating using DAX

c_banerjee — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:10:44 GMT

i have created a dax measure to apply conditional formatting however i have the conditions written, but i dont see conditional format anywhere.

Margin Color =

VAR m = SELECTEDVALUE(Total_Sales[Margin])

RETURN

SWITCH(

TRUE(),

m < .40, "Orange",

m < .50, "Red",

m < .60, "Light Green",

"Dark green"

)

However, now that I have the measure, I'm unable to apply it to my margin. I don't know where to find the conditional formatting option or what to do. I could use Microsoft's built-in cell elements, but I don't want to use that; I want to use the DAX condition I created. Where can I find the correct tab to apply my measure?

Thank you

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

mh2587 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:18:08 GMT

For a table or matrix visual:

Select your table or matrix visual.
In the Visualizations pane, go to the Values section.
Find the Margin field.
Click the dropdown arrow next to the Margin field.
Select Conditional formatting.
Choose Background color or Font color.
In the dialog box, set Format by to Field value.
In Based on field, select your measure Margin Color.
Click OK.

For a chart (bar, column, etc.):

Select the chart visual.
Open the Format pane.
Expand the Data colors section.
Click the Advanced controls or fx option.
Set Format by to Field value.
Select your measure Margin Color.
Apply the changes.

Important note:
Make sure your measure returns valid color values such as Red, Green, or hex codes like #FF0000.

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

c_banerjee — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:27:39 GMT

there is format ,build and data pane, format pane has visual and properties, i didnot find anything called data colors, however there is a cell element which has background color selected fx, selected field value what field should we base this on selected margin color.. what why everything is orange!

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

Rupa01 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 10:42:58 GMT

Hi c_banerjee

Follow below steps to add conditional formatting -

1. Select the visual and go to Visual formatting Pane > Cell Elements

2. Select the column/field you want to apply conditional formatting

3. Toggle "On" Background color or font color based on your requirement.

4. A window opens to select the colour options, Select "Field Value" under Format style and select measure created under "What field should we base this on?" (in your case - Margin Color). Click Ok and conditional formatting is applied to the filed choosen.

Sample Example Result - I have applied background color for State column based on Measure.

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Best regards,
Rupasree Achari | BI & Fabric Analytics Engineer

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

Rupa01 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:01:20 GMT

c_banerjee Same measure mentioned I have used for checking Sales in below table and added conditional formatting to Region as below -

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Best regards,
Rupasree Achari | BI & Fabric Analytics Engineer

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

c_banerjee — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:00:52 GMT

hi Rupa01
But now the issue whole column is orange, what im doing wromg here, is there any problem with measure margin color? or measured column total_sales[margin]

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

Rupa01 — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:09:55 GMT

c_banerjee Check the values of the Margin column - if all the values is less than 0.4, < 0.4 condition is satisfying as result orange you are getting.

Please share the sample data or screenshot of the visual or pbix file - if require assistance.

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

Ashish_Mathur — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:36:22 GMT

Hi,

Could you kinldy share the download link of the PBI file.

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

Prince0011 — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:38:10 GMT

Hi,

Your DAX measure looks fine, but whether you can use it for conditional formatting depends on the visual you're using.

A few things to check:

Make sure you're using a visual that supports conditional formatting (such as a Table or Matrix).
Select the visual, then in the Values well, click the drop-down arrow next to the Margin field and look for Conditional formatting (or Cell elements in newer versions of Power BI).
Choose Background color or Font color, then select Format by → Field value and choose your Margin Color measure.

If you don't see the Conditional formatting option:

Verify that you're using a Table or Matrix visual, as not all visuals support field-value formatting.
Ensure the measure returns valid color names (e.g., "Red", "Orange") or hexadecimal color codes (e.g., #FF0000), which are generally more reliable.
Confirm that the field you're formatting is in the Values section of the visual.

Could you let us know:

Which visual are you using (Table, Matrix, Card, etc.)?
Which version of Power BI Desktop are you using?
Are you trying to color the text, the background, or something else?

The Microsoft documentation on conditional formatting may also help:
https://learn.microsoft.com/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-conditional-table-formatting

If you found this reply helpful, please consider giving it a Kudos. If it helps resolve your issue, marking it as the Accepted Solution will help others facing the same problem.

Re: Conditional formating using DAX

v-abhinavmu — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 05:26:58 GMT

Hi c_banerjee,

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

Thank you.