Forum Discussion
Display Dynamic Images from SharePoint List on Drill-through Page Based on Request ID
The Power BI service has no way to get to your SharePoint Document library (nor should it).
Place your images on a public server or embed them in the semantic model.
Use the Request ID in the drill-through filter and an Image URL column from SharePoint; Power BI cannot drill on the binary image column itself.
1. Build an image URL column from the SharePoint Image field
In Power Query against the SharePoint list, create a custom column that concatenates the serverUrl and serverRelativeUrl from the Image JSON to a full HTTPS URL, then load that column into the model.
In Data view, select this column and set Data category = Image URL so the Image or Table visual can render it.2. Set up the drill-through page
Ensure both tables (core KPIs and SharePoint images) contain Request ID and have a relationship on it (or use a single table).
On the drill-through page, drag Request ID into Drill-through filters, then add an Image visual (or a table with the Image URL field).
Drop the Image URL field in the visual; when a user drills through on a Request ID, the drill-through filter will restrict the page to that Request ID and the corresponding image URL will display dynamically.
If your SharePoint site is secured, confirm the dataset’s credentials and gateway let the Power BI Service reach the list; otherwise images may appear as broken links even if the URL is correct.
hi Akshay_B
This is expected behavior in Power BI, and the issue is not with drill-through itself, but with how SharePoint Image columns are handled.
Power BI cannot dynamically render binary images (SharePoint Image field) based on drill-through filter context. Even though the Request ID is passed correctly, the image does not update because the image column is not a true image URL.
Why this happens
SharePoint Image columns are stored as complex JSON / binary metadata, not as a direct image link.
Power BI visuals only support dynamic images when the field is:A direct URL
Categorized as Image URL
Binary image fields do not respond to drill-through filtering.
Supported and recommended approach
1. Extract the image URL in Power Query
Expand the Image column and retrieve:serverUrl
serverRelativeUrl
Create a new column:
ImageURL = [serverUrl] & [serverRelativeUrl]
2. Set the Data Category
In Model view:Select the new column
Set Data Category = Image URL
This step is mandatory.
3. Validate the relationship
Ensure Request ID from your main table is related to Request ID in the SharePoint list.
Drill-through will then filter the correct row.4. Build the drill-through page
Add Request ID to the Drill-through filters pane
Use a Table or Matrix (native visuals work best)
Place the Image URL field in the visual
Once drilled through, Power BI will automatically display the image for that Request ID.
Key limitations to keep in mind
SharePoint binary image fields are not supported in Power BI visuals
Drill-through only works with URL-based images
If multiple images exist per Request ID, you’ll need to control which one to show (FIRST, MAX, etc.)
Summary
✔ Drill-through is working
✔ Request ID filter is passed
❌ Binary SharePoint images cannot be rendered✅ Use Image URLs categorized as Image URL
This is the only supported and reliable pattern today.Hope this helps clarify the limitation and the correct workaround.
Use the Request ID in the drill-through filter and an Image URL column from SharePoint; Power BI cannot drill on the binary image column itself.
1. Build an image URL column from the SharePoint Image field
In Power Query against the SharePoint list, create a custom column that concatenates the serverUrl and serverRelativeUrl from the Image JSON to a full HTTPS URL, then load that column into the model.
In Data view, select this column and set Data category = Image URL so the Image or Table visual can render it.
2. Set up the drill-through page
Ensure both tables (core KPIs and SharePoint images) contain Request ID and have a relationship on it (or use a single table).
On the drill-through page, drag Request ID into Drill-through filters, then add an Image visual (or a table with the Image URL field).
Drop the Image URL field in the visual; when a user drills through on a Request ID, the drill-through filter will restrict the page to that Request ID and the corresponding image URL will display dynamically.
If your SharePoint site is secured, confirm the dataset’s credentials and gateway let the Power BI Service reach the list; otherwise images may appear as broken links even if the URL is correct.