Forum Discussion
Continued ContributorPowerBI Ambiguity
I am going to take Microsoft to task on this one because if I struggle, then undoubtedly many , if not most, struggle.
One area that I think Microsoft could do a much better job in is making it clear when a Table Column, Calculated Column, Measure, or Either can be dragged into a data field.
For example, if one adds a plot, the X-Axis, Y-Axis, Legend, etc. all say, "+Add data" which isn't helpful at all. The reality is quite different because while one can add Table Columns and/or Measures to the Y-Axis, not so for the X-Axis, Legend, etc. And it gets even worse because if you click on "+Add data" for the X-Axis, you can select a Measure, it looks like it works, but then nothing happens. No error message. No contextual information. No hiding the Measures. Just endless head scratching trying to understand what you are doing wrong, why it isn't working, etc.
I think this is a MAJOR failure on Microsoft's part. I have been using PBI for over a year now, and I am only now just starting to appreciate and fully comprehend these differences. Why I didn't get the memo? I don't know, but the least Microsoft can do is make the UX more informative/intuitive.
Instead, Microsoft acts like: Connect your data! Create measures! Drag and drop! If only it were that easy.
Your thoughts?
WishAskedSooner Correct on many levels. Microsoft is apparently not interested in fixing long-standing issues in Power BI. This includes these kinds of things, measure totals and ton of other wonkiness in the product. Instead, they are focused on Fabric and on "new gee whiz features" to generate hype or just pathetically dumb things like dark mode. This is the state of Power BI. Get used to it.
Hi WishAskedSooner ,
You raise a valid and widely shared concern about Power BI’s ambiguity in handling table columns, calculated columns, and measures when adding data to visuals. Microsoft’s UI often lacks clarity, especially in indicating what kind of data is accepted in different fields.The "+Add data" prompt is misleading because it does not differentiate between table columns and measures, leading to user frustration when seemingly valid selections fail without feedback. A more intuitive approach would be for Power BI to dynamically gray out incompatible fields, provide error messages, or offer contextual hints explaining why a selection won’t work. This ambiguity becomes even more frustrating for newer users who may not fully grasp the underlying differences between calculated columns, table columns, and measures. Microsoft promotes Power BI as a user-friendly, drag-and-drop tool, yet its UX shortcomings create unnecessary confusion. Enhancing visual cues, validation mechanisms, and documentation within the UI would go a long way in reducing this friction and making the tool truly intuitive.
3 Replies
- Greg_Deckler
Community Champion
WishAskedSooner Correct on many levels. Microsoft is apparently not interested in fixing long-standing issues in Power BI. This includes these kinds of things, measure totals and ton of other wonkiness in the product. Instead, they are focused on Fabric and on "new gee whiz features" to generate hype or just pathetically dumb things like dark mode. This is the state of Power BI. Get used to it.
WishAskedSoonerI am glad to know that I am not alone in my estimation.
We often contemplate giving users the ability to create their own reports from the data model, but can you really imagine a random user without any Power BI experience successfully navigating +Add data? The last thing I want to do is to be fielding non-stop questions from non-specialists. But, I guess Copilot is supposed to solve that problem.
As for Fabric, I am on the fence. I see the potential, but haven't had the opportunity to fully implement a Fabric solution for my ETL processes and dashboards. We recently migrated our on-premise db to Azure. So, I am using this opportunity to see if I can do all my development in Fabric.
rohit1991Super User
Hi WishAskedSooner ,
You raise a valid and widely shared concern about Power BI’s ambiguity in handling table columns, calculated columns, and measures when adding data to visuals. Microsoft’s UI often lacks clarity, especially in indicating what kind of data is accepted in different fields.The "+Add data" prompt is misleading because it does not differentiate between table columns and measures, leading to user frustration when seemingly valid selections fail without feedback. A more intuitive approach would be for Power BI to dynamically gray out incompatible fields, provide error messages, or offer contextual hints explaining why a selection won’t work. This ambiguity becomes even more frustrating for newer users who may not fully grasp the underlying differences between calculated columns, table columns, and measures. Microsoft promotes Power BI as a user-friendly, drag-and-drop tool, yet its UX shortcomings create unnecessary confusion. Enhancing visual cues, validation mechanisms, and documentation within the UI would go a long way in reducing this friction and making the tool truly intuitive.