Custom data label on area chart not showing value. Measure displays correctly on a table

[jasemilly]

Hi

I am trying to use the custom data label on an area chart to provide infomation percentage change, but it doesn't display at all.

I can put the measure in a table, it always displays correctly

when I hard code the value into the variable it works, is it possible to force the nuber of decimal places used in the dax code?

this works

var _growth = 
 
     divide( 0.078 , 0.086) 

var _rtrn =  

     FORMAT( _growth, "0.0% ▲;0.0% ▼;" )     

return

_rtrn

this doesn't display in the custom data label but does display correctly in the table, it display 7.89% which is correct.

var _growth = 
              divide( _AgentScoreDelta , _AgentPreviousScore) 
var _rtrn =  

              FORMAT( _growth, "0.0% ▲;0.0% ▼;" )     
return

_rtrn

[v-sshirivolu]

Hi @jasemilly ,

Thank you for your follow-up and for pinpointing that the issue was due to missing dates in the fact table. If the dataset doesn’t cover a continuous date range, visuals like the area chart may not render labels for dates with no data, even though the measure works correctly in a table.

To fix this, create a separate Date table, mark it as a Date Table in your model, and link it to your fact table. Using functions like ISINSCOPE() or COALESCE() can help ensure your measure returns values for all dates, allowing labels to display consistently.

Glad to see you and @tayloramy have already identified the root cause. If you can provide an updated PBIX via a public link, the community can review and confirm your solution resolves the visual issue.

Thank you.

[tayloramy]

Hi @jasemilly, 

That is a private link, can you open it up so anyone with the link can view it so we can download it?  

[DataNinja777]

Hi @jasemilly ,

Yes.  It is possible to do what you are trying to do with the following steps:

• In the stacked area chart, go to Visualization pane →　Visual tab　→　Data label →　turn it On
• go to Values section and put a measure below in the Field box:

Growth % Label (text) = 
VAR g = [Growth % (numeric, safe)]
RETURN
IF (
    ISINSCOPE ( 'Date'[Date] ) && NOT ISBLANK ( g ),
    FORMAT ( g, "0.0%" ) & IF ( g >= 0, " ▲", " ▼" ),
    BLANK ()
)

The resultant output is as shown below, and I hope that this meets your requirement.

I attach an example pbix file for your reference.

Best regards,

[jasemilly]

Thanks for taking a look but I have done this already everything appears fine when I hard code it.

[tayloramy]

Hi @jasemilly, 

I was able to get this to work bu seperating out the growth% math to a different measure. 

// Base measures
Agent Previous Score = MAX ( Scores[Previous] )
Agent Current Score  = MAX ( Scores[Current] )
Agent Score Delta    = [Agent Current Score] - [Agent Previous Score]

// Growth as a numeric measure (good for other visuals)
Growth % = DIVIDE ( [Agent Score Delta], [Agent Previous Score] )

// Text label for custom data label (forces a string even when numeric is BLANK)
Growth Label (text) =
VAR g = [Growth %]
RETURN
IF (
    NOT ISBLANK ( g ),
    FORMAT ( g, "0.0%" ) & " " & IF ( g >= 0, "▲", "▼" ),
    ""     // empty string (not BLANK) so the visual will still try to draw it
)

Here is a working file example

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qs2FnBAQr68TQhXMlKvU6zr9gWM1AqyG/view?usp=sharing

If you found this helpful, consider giving some Kudos. If I answered your question or solved your problem, mark this post as the solution.

[jasemilly]

I have realised this is an issue with row filtering and my fact table doesn't have an entry for every day.

[tayloramy]

Hi @jasemilly, 

Glad you found the issue! 

Let us know if you need anything else. 

If you found this helpful, consider giving some Kudos. If I answered your question or solved your problem, mark this post as the solution. 

[jasemilly]

Hi Tayloramy

I had tried splitting into sperate measures earlier and tried your approach as well.  This didn't work, I believe it should work.  I am at a loss to why it doesn't.

Thanks for replying

[tayloramy]

Hi @jasemilly, 

Is what I achieved in the file I linked not your intended goal? 

If not, I may have misunderstood what you're needing.  

[jasemilly]

Yes that is my intended goal, and I have tried splitting it into 2 measures.  It doesn't work in my report.  I beleive this approach should work and I can see it does in your example.  Just not on my report, and I am at a complete loss as to why not.

[tayloramy]

Hi @jasemilly, 

My text table measure is also a little different than yours, have you tried using mine in your report? 

Growth Label (text) =
VAR g = [Growth %]
RETURN
IF (
    NOT ISBLANK ( g ),
    FORMAT ( g, "0.0%" ) & " " & IF ( g >= 0, "▲", "▼" ),
    ""     // empty string (not BLANK) so the visual will still try to draw it
)

If this still doesn't work, can you post sample data where this isn't working so we can replicate the issue? 

If you found this helpful, consider giving some Kudos. If I answered your question or solved your problem, mark this post as the solution.

[jasemilly]

Hi yes I used your measure on my report and didn't work for me.  My data is 

just

Text                          Date               Decimal

agent full name,      date,               score

Ian                          01/07/2025       0.91

Ian                          01/09/2025      0.86
Ian                          18/09/2025      0.94

[tayloramy]

Are you able to share your pbix file? 

[jasemilly]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gSEvKoqkDPEnts2MkBBmR_Ev7NFHDC7Q/view?usp=sharing 

Hi I have amended the link so its now public to the test file I created thanks for all help.