Forum Discussion
Enhance report designs
Hi - I have a report table that contains only descriptive fields, as shown below, with no numerical columns. Currently, the report uses standard table visuals to present this information. However, the client would like the report to feel more visually interactive and intuitive.
Could you please suggest ways to enhance the visual appeal and usability—such as through data transformations, alternative visualizations, or the use of custom visuals?
Note: Unable to attach the sample pbix file but can share over DM, if needed.
Hi Marico
I’ve worked with similar cases, and when the report has no numeric columns, traditional table visuals will always feel flat no matter how many formatting tweaks we apply.
Here’s a practical approach that improves both interactivity and visual appeal:
✅ 1. Transform the descriptive fields into a “key–value” structured table
Using Power Query or DAX, create a normalized structure like:
Record ID
Attribute
Attribute Value
This gives you flexibility to use visuals other than a standard table.✅ 2. Use a custom visual designed for text-heavy data
The ones that worked best for me are:
Card Browser (AppSource) → turns each row into an interactive profile card
Accordion by Nova Silva → allows users to expand/collapse long descriptions
Deneb (Vega-Lite) → highly customizable for creating clean, app-style text layouts
These visuals display descriptive fields far better than a flat table.✅ 3. Build an “Interactive Info Panel”
With Deneb or Card Browser, each record becomes a card with:
a header
wrapped text
icons or category colors
optional search/filter
This setup feels much more intuitive for end-users.✅ 4. (Optional) Use Tooltip Pages
If the client wants a cleaner layout, keep the main view minimal and show detailed descriptive fields inside a tooltip page when hovering or clicking.
✅ Result
This approach makes the report look interactive, modern, and user-friendly, even though the dataset contains no numeric fields
9 Replies
The most professional way to advise your clients in this situation is to anchor the conversation in business value, not visual novelty. Visual “interactivity” should be value-driven, not purely cosmetic. If your report looks okay enough to serve its purposes, i'd not suggest you try all those unless you think it's worth the time and resources.
Hi Marico
I’ve worked with similar cases, and when the report has no numeric columns, traditional table visuals will always feel flat no matter how many formatting tweaks we apply.
Here’s a practical approach that improves both interactivity and visual appeal:
✅ 1. Transform the descriptive fields into a “key–value” structured table
Using Power Query or DAX, create a normalized structure like:
Record ID
Attribute
Attribute Value
This gives you flexibility to use visuals other than a standard table.✅ 2. Use a custom visual designed for text-heavy data
The ones that worked best for me are:
Card Browser (AppSource) → turns each row into an interactive profile card
Accordion by Nova Silva → allows users to expand/collapse long descriptions
Deneb (Vega-Lite) → highly customizable for creating clean, app-style text layouts
These visuals display descriptive fields far better than a flat table.✅ 3. Build an “Interactive Info Panel”
With Deneb or Card Browser, each record becomes a card with:
a header
wrapped text
icons or category colors
optional search/filter
This setup feels much more intuitive for end-users.✅ 4. (Optional) Use Tooltip Pages
If the client wants a cleaner layout, keep the main view minimal and show detailed descriptive fields inside a tooltip page when hovering or clicking.
✅ Result
This approach makes the report look interactive, modern, and user-friendly, even though the dataset contains no numeric fields
Hi Marico ,
Thanks for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum.
I would also take a moment to thank Mauro89 and Nabha-Ahmed , for actively participating in the community forum and for the solutions you’ve been sharing in the community forum. Your contributions make a real difference.
I hope the above details help you fix the issue. If you still have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support you
Best Regards,
Community Support TeamHi @Marico ,
I hope the above details help you fix the issue. If you still have any questions or need more help, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to support you
Best Regards,
Community Support Team
Hi Marico,
here some ideas:
1. Card Visuals with Conditional Formatting
- Convert key fields into card visuals with icons and color coding
- Use status indicators (green/yellow/red) for priority levels or stages
2. HTML Content/Table Visual
- Use the "HTML Content" custom visual to create styled, formatted content with colors, badges, and icons
- Add visual hierarchy with font sizes and weights
3. Chiclet Slicer for Categories
- Replace dropdown filters with image-based chiclet slicers showing product categories or regions with icons
4. Timeline Slicer
- If you have date fields, use a timeline slicer for intuitive date range selection
5. Hierarchy Slicer or Tree Visual
- For nested categories (Product Category → Sub-category), use a tree/hierarchy visualization
6. Card Grid Layout
- Break the single table into multiple smaller card-style containers grouped by category
- Add subtle borders, shadows, and spacing
7. Custom Visuals to Consider
- Synoptic Panel: Create image-based clickable regions
- Text Filter: Advanced search functionality
- Infographic Designer: Add icons and visual elements
Best regards!
PS: If you find this post helpful consider leaving kudos or mark it as solution
Thanks for your feedback. Sharing the github link to the file for your reference - priyam2790/PBI (Sample Dashboard file) rohit1991 Mauro89
Hii Marico
Your report can look highly polished even without numeric fields by using cards, badges, section layouts, enhanced table visuals, icons, and bookmarks. Instead of a large table, break the content into meaningful segments and design it like a profile/record viewer.
Few ways below through you can enhanced your tables :
- Replace Table Visual with Advanced Custom Table Visuals
Try:
-
Deneb (JSON-based layouts for tailored detail views)
-
HTML Viewer
-
Inforiver (professional table formatting, icons, tags, row grouping)
These offer modern UI, collapsible sections, row banding, and better spacing control.
