Cannot see Data Labels option under Format your Visual tab

[amismail]

I am trying to Display the Legend name instead of an icon. So, when I searched for how to do so with PowerBI, all the instructions led me to turning on Data Labels under Format Your Visual tab. However, no matter what I do I cannot find this option even shown. See snap shot. I am using PowerBI (2.143.1378 May 2025)

[v-pnaroju-msft]

Hi amismail,

We are following up to inquire whether you have submitted this as an idea in the Ideas Forum. If so, kindly share the link here, as it would be beneficial to other community members who may have similar feedback.

Should you have any further queries, please feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric community.

Thank you.

[v-pnaroju-msft]

Hi amismail,

Thank you for the update.

You are correct.When the X‑axis is a text field, the built‑in Scatter visual disables per point labels by design. As a workaround, you can map text categories to numeric X positions and enable Category labels, which we described in our previous response. If you would like native support for text X‑axis plus labels, please submit a feature request on Power BI Ideas via the link:Fabric Ideas - Microsoft Fabric Community

We hope this information helps resolve the issue. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric community.

Thank you.

[v-pnaroju-msft]

Hi amismail,

We would like to follow up and see whether the details we shared have resolved your problem.
If you need any more assistance, please feel free to connect with the Microsoft Fabric community.

Thank you.

[amismail]

The recommendations here helped me understand how the labeling feature worked but it didn't solve my problem. It seems that Data Labels is disabled when your X axis is a text string. 

[v-pnaroju-msft]

Hi amismail,

Thank you for your followup.

In Power BI, the Scatter visual disables category labels when the X-axis is a text (categorical) field,this behaviour is by design. To display labels, the X-axis must be numeric. The simplest solution is to create a small mapping table that assigns each text category a numeric position, and then use that numeric column on the X-axis. Turn the Category label setting on, and the names will appear next to each point.

Please find attached a screenshot and a revised sample .pbix file, which may help resolve the issue:

We hope the information provided helps to resolve your query. Should you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric community.

Thank you.

[v-pnaroju-msft · Accepted solution]

Thankyou, @amitchandak and @kushanNa for your responses.

Hi amismail,

We appreciate your inquiry submitted to the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum.

Based on my understanding, the built-in Scatter chart does not have a separate Data labels tile as found in column or line charts. This is by design and the option you are looking for is labeled Category label, which is why you do not see Data labels in the Format pane.

Please find attached a screenshot and a sample PBIX file that may help resolve the issue:

We hope the information provided helps. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact the Microsoft Fabric Community.

Thank you.

[amismail]

thanks for the example. It turns out that if I add a text type X Axis, the Category Label disapprears. I am not sure why, I guess power BI does know how to deal with such a case or it is by design. I am not sure how to get around this.

[kushanNa]

Hi @amismail 

I feel like you are looking in here for category lable ?

an output similar to this ? 

If that what you are looking for then i have attached the pbix file for your reference 

[amismail]

The visual I am using is a Scattered Chart. I did play with other visuals and noticed that Data Labels exist with "Line and clustered column chart", but that isn't the visual I want to use.

[amitchandak]

@amismail , which visual is this? Check under Marker 

It should look like 

Just make sure no Windows update are pending, that can cause random issue. Also make sure you are using latest version of power bi