Cell elements formatting not working (version Aug 2025)

[NasTr]

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).  

[NasTr · Accepted solution]

Hi @v-priyankata , @Ritaf1983 @VahidDM 

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 recreated the same matrix within the same file and it was working ok , I even copied the formatting and the strange bevahiour was not transferred. I even cleared completely the matrix with the strange formatting behaviour and reentered fields and the behaviour insisted! So I guess something stuck somewhere. The funny thing is that the matrix formatting was behaving as expected until Saturday which I reopened the file and without doing anything the matrix formatting had changed... 

Anyway I recreated table and it is fine now

[v-priyankata]

Hi @NasTr 
I'm glad to hear that your issue has been resolved. Thank you for sharing your solution here it will be helpful for others facing the same problem. If you encounter any other issues in the future, please feel free to reach out to the community.

[v-priyankata]

Hi @NasTr 

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Fabric Forum Community.

@Ritaf1983 @VahidDM Thanks for the inputs

I hope the information provided by users was helpful. If you still have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to the community.

[Ritaf1983]

Hi @NasTr 
I tried the issue on my machine and seems that the conditional formatting is ok:

Make sure you are applying the functionality on values, not on categories.

Sometimes the engine takes a little time to respond, and this can happen not only in the latest versions. You can simply try again or close and reopen the file.

If nothing helps, report it as an issue and attach a sample file so it can be checked further.
The pbix woth the examples is attached.
***I tested September 2025 version.
In August it was also working fine, as I use this functionality regularly.

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

[VahidDM]

Sounds like a bug.

---

Possible causes

• Conditional formatting or cell element formatting rules may have changed to require “apply to value and totals” in order to activate anything at all.

• The visual might be using a theme or style that overrides “value-only” formatting.

• A recent update might have broken or altered the behavior of the “apply to values only” toggle.

---

Workarounds / fixes to try

1. In the Format pane → Conditional Formatting / Cell Elements → check if there’s a “Values only” toggle. Try turning it off, then on again.

2. Create two versions of the measure: one for values only, one for totals+values, perhaps using DAX:
   
   MyMeasure_Formatted =
   IF(
   HASONEVALUE(Dim[Something]),
   [Value Measure],
   BLANK() -- or something distinct for totals
   )

   Then apply conditional formatting using that measure.
   
   

3. Roll-back to previous version of Power BI Desktop (if possible) and see whether formatting works there. If yes, this supports the bug theory. or use the new Sep version

4. Submit feedback to Microsoft: it’s possible a bug got introduced. Meanwhile use the “apply to values & totals” option, and try to ignore totals in rules (if possible) by making the rule so that totals are outside the range or blank.
   '

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

   Appreciate your Kudos!! 

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