Matrix row subtotals not working

[emmelielilja]

Hi!

I created a matrix visual a long time agao that looks like this: 

Now I'm trying to create the same visual in another desktop, that has a live connection to this exact same semantic model. All I did was, from a new desktop, I connected to the semantic model that's online. I then just copied the above visual over to the new model, and this is what it looks like:

I can't for the life of me figure out why. I have checked all the settings between the two and I can't seem to find the issue. When I copy this over to another dashboard that similarily is connected to the cloud, I don't get the same issue. 

Can anyone provide some useful insights? I have googled and asked Copilot without any success. I have toggled the row subtotals endlessly. The version I am using is March 2025. 

Thank you,
Emmelie

[emmelielilja]

Hi! 

I have not solved it, but it seems like it's due to older and newer versions. I have worked around it by using the old version for now.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja,

Thank you for the update. It's good to know you've managed to use the older version as a workaround.

Has the issue been completely resolved on your side? If so, that's great. According to Microsoft community guidelines, we'll proceed to close this thread.

If you encounter any more issues, please feel free to start a new post. We're here to assist you.

Thakn you.

[v-agajavelly]

Hi @emmelielilja 

Did you got any chance to reach Microsoft Partners Team. We have a development team there for further support. You can find more information and contact them through the link below.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-bi/partners# 


Thanks,
Akhil.

[v-agajavelly]

Hi @emmelielilja 

We’ve reviewed your requirement and created a sample report using dummy data based on the screenshot you shared. We were able to apply conditional formatting for the values, including background color using Data Bars (by unchecking “Show bar only”). This gives the effect you're looking for in the subtotal rows.

However, when it comes to category totals, Power BI currently doesn't provide an option to apply conditional formatting directly. We explored the available settings but couldn’t find a way to apply the same formatting to category totals. We’ve attached a screenshot for your reference, along with the PBIX file we used.

If you ever need a more customized or exact output in the future, we recommend reaching out to the Microsoft Partners team https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/power-platform/products/power-bi/partners#  for further support. You can find more information and contact them through the link below.

Thanks.

[sterger]

I am facing the same issue. 
The option in the subtotal "Apply to Labels" works differently for the "older" matrix and "newer" matrix. 
In my investigation, my exisiting reports that were created with an older version of PBI on PBI Serivce still works the same as before. i.e. Selecting a background colour and apply to label only affect that single subtotal row while the new matrix will colour the entire row header as that colour. This only happens for "outline" and "tabular" layout.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja,

To resolve the row subtotal issue, first rebuild the matrix visual from scratch instead of copying the old one. Create a new matrix manually in Power BI Desktop, add the same fields one by one, and then configure the subtotals settings by navigating to the visual settings, selecting Subtotals, Per Row Level, and manually turning the subtotals ON or OFF as needed.

This ensures that the new visual picks up the updated matrix behavior aligned with the March 2025 version of Power BI. Second, check the visual formatting pane settings carefully. Expand the Subtotals section, then the Row Subtotals subsection, and make sure that "Per Row Level" subtotals are enabled.

Expand each field level individually and verify that subtotals are correctly turned ON or OFF for each field, since default settings sometimes apply subtotals incorrectly.

If possible, review your semantic model settings online. Check if any fields are set with default formatting or aggregation rules that could affect how subtotals behave in matrix visuals. However, even if you cannot modify the semantic model, properly rebuilding the matrix and adjusting the formatting settings as described should solve the subtotal issue.

Glad I could assist! If this answer helped resolve your issue, please mark it as Accept as Solution and give us Kudos to guide others facing the same concern.

Thank you.

[emmelielilja]

Hi!

I have tried what you said many times. It seems like the matrix is treating my row headers as values. I have attached an image of the row subtotals settings. All row levels, except Month and Close Probability are OFF (I have removed Account Names and Owner Names for security, but otherwise it would be ON on Account Name and Name).

Now, if I create a background color and apply this to labels, this happens.
These are the settings I have in my old version

And this is what happens:

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja,

Thank you for sharing additional details and screenshots.Based on your follow-up, it seems that the behavior change is due to how Power BI's newer versions (March 2025 and later) handle matrix row headers and labels differently compared to older builds.

The matrix now treats certain row levels like values during formatting operations. This impacts both subtotal controls and label formatting.

To resolve this fully:
Ensure you have Stepped Layout turned ON in the matrix settings.
Double-check under Subtotals àPer Row Level and turn ON subtotals specifically for your key fields.
When applying background formatting, ensure you apply it to Rows and not to Values.
If needed, re-arrange fields order under Rows panel, sometimes moving them slightly resets the formatting logic.

If this solution worked for you, kindly mark it as Accept as Solution and feel free to give a Kudos, it would be much appreciated!

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja,

I wanted to follow up on our previous suggestions regarding the issue. We would love to hear back from you to ensure we can assist you further.

If our response has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a ‘Kudos’ so other members can easily find it. Please let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help.

Thank you.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja ,

I wanted to check in your situation regarding the issue. Have you resolved it? If you have, please consider marking the reply as Accepted solution and give Kudos that helped you. It would be greatly appreciated by others in the community who may have the same question.

Thank you.

[emmelielilja]

Hi,

It hasn't been resolved I'm afraid, but I appreciate your help.

[v-agajavelly]

Hi @emmelielilja 

I Appolize for  delay in response, Iam a senior engineer for CSS team.
I just want to know weather you need any assistance on this issue, please feel free to reach out us. 
If possible please share PBIX file here, if there is no sensivity data. 

Best Regards,
Akhil.G

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja,

we haven’t heard back from you in a long while, we’re closing this thread. For any further discussions or questions, please start a new post in the Microsoft Fabric Community Forum — we’ll be happy to assist.

Thank you for being part of the Microsoft Fabric Community.

[v-sgandrathi]

Hi @emmelielilja ,

We really appreciate your efforts and for letting us know the update on the issue.
I’ll explore any possible workarounds and share them if I find a suitable solution.
In the meantime, please continue using the Fabric Community Forum for further assistance.

Thank you!

[MFelix]

Hi @emmelielilja ,

To what I can see the visual looks the same in terms of the values that are active or not Totals are ate month level and in the second image also.

I can see that the image has a different color on the headers of the rows and questions about the wrapping of text but based on the images I would say you have the totals.

Can you please pinpoint what are the values that you are not seeing and that you want to see?

[emmelielilja]

Hi!

All the values and information are there, the issue is, that when I apply setting to labels, it makes every row green and bold. What I want is the layout to look exactly like the first image, where only the total rows are formatted. I hope that makes sense. The pitures are quite different from each other. 

[MFelix]

Hi @emmelielilja ,

When you refer to labels what is the setting you are change exactly, sorry for the question but there are so many different options?