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pbDudley
Frequent Visitor

Power BI and hyperlinks and arcGIS

Hello

i have a table that stores hyperlink paths that will open files in our work databases. 
Is there a way to activate the hyperlinks in power bi?  
Also is it possible to connect to the same file stored in our online ArcGIS site and use the map tool and open the hyperlinks when clicked in the map?  
I can't test the map option just yet but I should be able too soon. 
If the map option doesn't work than I'm hoping I can use the filter tools to be able to narrow down the stored paths and hopefully one would be able to click on the path and the files open. 
thanks 

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Thank you for all of the help!

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6 REPLIES 6
123abc
Community Champion
Community Champion

  1. Activate Hyperlinks in Power BI:

    • In Power BI, you can use the "Text Box" visual to display hyperlinks.
    • Create a new text box visual by going to the "Visualizations" pane and selecting the "Text box" option.
    • Drag and drop the column containing your hyperlink paths into the "Values" field well of the text box visual.
    • Power BI will automatically detect that these are hyperlinks and make them clickable.

    Note: Ensure that the data type of the column containing hyperlinks is set to "Web URL" in the Power Query Editor.

  2. Using Hyperlinks in Maps:

    • In Power BI, you can also create interactive maps using the built-in "Map" visual.
    • You can add a "Location" field to the map visual and customize it to show relevant data points.
    • If you have a column with hyperlinks in your dataset, you can add it to the "Tooltips" field well of the map visual. This will allow users to click on map points and open the hyperlinks associated with them.
  3. Filtering and Opening Hyperlinks:

    • You can use the filter tools in Power BI to allow users to narrow down the data.
    • If you have a table with hyperlink paths and other information, users can filter the data using slicers, and when they click on a specific row or data point, they can access the hyperlink.

Regarding connecting to files stored in your online ArcGIS site, you would typically use ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise for that purpose. If you have a web map in ArcGIS Online that includes hyperlinks, you can integrate it with Power BI to provide a combined experience. However, the specifics of integrating ArcGIS Online with Power BI would depend on your data and setup.

In summary, Power BI provides various options for working with hyperlinks, maps, and filtering to create a user-friendly experience for accessing files and information. To integrate ArcGIS Online with Power BI, you may need to explore ArcGIS integration options, and it's a good idea to consult ArcGIS documentation or support for guidance on that front.

 

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

Ok thank you. I'm not seeing a text box option under the visualization "app" icons. I see insert text box. 
My other issue is that there not URL's but paths with server names in front. It works this way in MS access. But I meant to say file paths with the full server paths. Do these not work, it has to be a URL?

123abc
Community Champion
Community Champion

I understand your concern. In Power BI, when you create hyperlinks using the HYPERLINK function or by directly entering paths, they should work even if they are file paths with server names in front rather than standard URLs. Power BI should be able to recognize and handle both types of hyperlinks.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  1. Data Source Settings: Ensure that your data source settings in Power BI are configured to allow external links. Sometimes, Power BI might block external links for security reasons. You can adjust these settings in Power Query Editor by going to "File" > "Options and settings" > "Data source settings."

  2. File Path Format: Make sure the file paths in your dataset are correctly formatted, and they point to the actual files on your network or server. Check for any typos or errors in the paths.

  3. User Permissions: Ensure that the users who are accessing your Power BI report have the necessary permissions to access the files or resources specified in the file paths. If permissions are not set correctly, users might encounter issues when trying to open the files.

  4. Testing: Test the hyperlinks in Power BI by clicking on them within your report. If the file paths are correctly formatted and accessible, they should open the associated files when clicked.

If you are still experiencing issues with file paths not working as hyperlinks in Power BI, it may be helpful to review your data source settings and the specific format of the file paths to ensure they are configured correctly for your environment.

I think what I'm finding from a google search is that power bi can't open a local file path. Or I assume one could copy the path then paste it. 
But I'm still not seeing the actual text box under the visualations tool panel but I'll assume that the insert text box is the same thing?

123abc
Community Champion
Community Champion

You are correct; Power BI typically cannot directly open a local file path because of security and privacy considerations. It's not designed to open local files directly by clicking on file paths in a report. Users would need to manually copy and paste the file path into their file explorer or browser to access the file.

As for the "text box" issue, in Power BI, there isn't a specific "text box" visualization option like you might find in other tools. Instead, you can use the "Text box" feature, which you mentioned as "Insert text box." It serves the same purpose as a text box by allowing you to add text or information to your report.

Here's how to use the "Text box" feature:

  1. In Power BI Desktop, go to the "Home" tab.

  2. Click on "Text box" or "Insert text box."

  3. You can then click on the report canvas where you want to add the text box, and a text box will appear.

  4. You can enter any text you want into the text box, including explanations, instructions, or additional information.

  5. You can format the text box by adjusting the font, size, color, and other formatting options from the "Format" tab.

While it may not be the same as a traditional "text box" in other applications, the "Text box" feature in Power BI allows you to add textual information to your reports effectively. It's commonly used for annotations, explanations, or adding context to your visuals.

 

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

Thank you for all of the help!

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