Can't use Visual Filter when "First/Last/Max" summarization is set?

[sasdfasdfsad]

I noticed that when I take a table or matrix and tell it to summarize the value of a column by using First/Last that once that is done you can no longer use visual filters on the object.

Is that by design?

I've tried it in about 5 different PBI files and every time I change to "summarized" it disabled visual filters.

Here without doing summarization it works fine:

Then I flip it to summarized and I can't make any changes to Filters on the visual

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @sasdfasdfsad -Yes, this behavior you are experiencing in Power BI is by design. When you use the First or Last summarization options in a table or matrix visualization, it effectively converts the column into an aggregate or summary value. Once this happens, visual-level filters on that column are typically disabled because summarizing the column turns it into a single aggregated value rather than a distinct list of values to filter from.

This is why you're unable to use filters as you would before applying the summarization.

If you want to still apply visual filters while using summarization like First or Last, here's a workaround:

1. Keep the column without summarizing it initially.
2. Use the filter pane to apply the visual filters you need on the column.
3. After applying your filters, you can go ahead and summarize the column using First or Last.

This process allows you to retain the filtering options while still summarizing your data for presentation purposes.

Hope this helps.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Hi @sasdfasdfsad ,

Agree with rajendraongole1.

Note that when you change the aggregation method to First , your field becomes “First Name”, so you can't change it.

If you want to continue filtering names in the filter pane, add a new name field to it.

Below is an example.

Best Regards,

Stephen Tao

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[rajendraongole1 · Accepted solution]

Hi @sasdfasdfsad -Yes, this behavior you are experiencing in Power BI is by design. When you use the First or Last summarization options in a table or matrix visualization, it effectively converts the column into an aggregate or summary value. Once this happens, visual-level filters on that column are typically disabled because summarizing the column turns it into a single aggregated value rather than a distinct list of values to filter from.

This is why you're unable to use filters as you would before applying the summarization.

If you want to still apply visual filters while using summarization like First or Last, here's a workaround:

1. Keep the column without summarizing it initially.
2. Use the filter pane to apply the visual filters you need on the column.
3. After applying your filters, you can go ahead and summarize the column using First or Last.

This process allows you to retain the filtering options while still summarizing your data for presentation purposes.

Hope this helps.