Removing blank cells within a large matrix

[MuthalibAbdul]

I have a large matrix that includes pending payments for any given week. However it also shows blank cells. the show data with no values for all the columns used in this visual is unchecked. 

In this matrix, week column is used from calender table while other columns like category, Name etc belong to another column. In total I am using columns/

[DataNinja777 · Accepted solution]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul ,

The blank cells in your matrix are appearing despite turning off “Show items with no data” likely because the matrix uses fields from different tables—specifically, the Week column from a calendar table and other fields like Category or Name from a separate fact table. Power BI is still generating all combinations of Week and Category/Name, and where no data exists in the fact table, it shows blanks. To fix this, the best approach is to update the measure being used in the matrix to check for blank results and limit the scope. You can write the measure like this:

Visible Pending Payment = 
IF (
    ISINSCOPE('FactTable'[Category]) &&
    ISINSCOPE('Calendar'[Week]) &&
    NOT ISBLANK([Pending Payment Amount]),
    [Pending Payment Amount]
)

This ensures the matrix only displays results where both the Category and Week are in scope and the value is not blank. If this doesn’t fully resolve the issue, add the same measure to the Filters pane for the visual and set it to show only values that are not blank. This acts as a final gatekeeper to remove residual blank combinations from the matrix.

Best regards,

[Ritaf1983 · Accepted solution]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul 

From the screenshot it actually looks like every row already contains at least one non-blank value in at least one column, so it’s not clear which blanks you expect to disappear.
In a Power BI matrix, a cell goes blank whenever the underlying measure returns BLANK() for that specific row/column intersection. If at least one measure returns a value, the row/column stays visible.

If you need stricter control—e.g. hide an entire row unless all relevant measures are populated—create a helper measure that tests your own condition and use it as a visual-level filter:

DAX

RowHasData =
IF (
NOT ISBLANK ( [PendingPayments] ) // replace / extend with your measures
|| NOT ISBLANK ( [AnotherMeasure] ),
1
)
Add RowHasData to the Filters on this visual pane.

Set the filter to is 1.

Repeat the same idea for columns if required.

That will force the matrix to render only the row/column combinations that meet the logic you define.

Beyond the picture, no-one can reproduce your exact issue. Please save a stripped-down .pbix with dummy data that imitates your model, put it on OneDrive/Google Drive, and share the link—then the community can test it properly.

Also, please include a screenshot or example of the expected result, so it's easier to understand the intended outcome.

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

[v-echaithra]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, so just following up to our previous message. I'd like to confirm if you've successfully resolved this issue or if you need further help.

If yes, you are welcome to share your workaround and mark it as a solution so that other users can benefit as well. If you find a reply particularly helpful to you, you can also mark it as a solution.
If you still have any questions or need more support, please feel free to let us know. We are more than happy to continue to help you.

Thank you for your patience and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
Chaithra E.

[v-echaithra]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul ,

As we haven’t heard back from you, we wanted to kindly follow up to check if the solution provided for the issue worked? or Let us know if you need any further assistance?
If our response addressed, please mark it as Accept as solution and click Yes if you found it helpful.

Regards,
Chaithra.

[v-echaithra]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul ,

I hope the response provided by the super user has addressed your issue. Please let us know if you need any further assistance. If our super user response resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accept as solution" and click "Yes" if you found it helpful.

Regards,
Chaithra.

[danextian · Accepted solution]

Power BI by defaults hides blank rows. If any of the rows have a value, that row will be shown.

[Ritaf1983 · Accepted solution]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul 

From the screenshot it actually looks like every row already contains at least one non-blank value in at least one column, so it’s not clear which blanks you expect to disappear.
In a Power BI matrix, a cell goes blank whenever the underlying measure returns BLANK() for that specific row/column intersection. If at least one measure returns a value, the row/column stays visible.

If you need stricter control—e.g. hide an entire row unless all relevant measures are populated—create a helper measure that tests your own condition and use it as a visual-level filter:

DAX

RowHasData =
IF (
NOT ISBLANK ( [PendingPayments] ) // replace / extend with your measures
|| NOT ISBLANK ( [AnotherMeasure] ),
1
)
Add RowHasData to the Filters on this visual pane.

Set the filter to is 1.

Repeat the same idea for columns if required.

That will force the matrix to render only the row/column combinations that meet the logic you define.

Beyond the picture, no-one can reproduce your exact issue. Please save a stripped-down .pbix with dummy data that imitates your model, put it on OneDrive/Google Drive, and share the link—then the community can test it properly.

Also, please include a screenshot or example of the expected result, so it's easier to understand the intended outcome.

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

[DataNinja777 · Accepted solution]

Hi @MuthalibAbdul ,

The blank cells in your matrix are appearing despite turning off “Show items with no data” likely because the matrix uses fields from different tables—specifically, the Week column from a calendar table and other fields like Category or Name from a separate fact table. Power BI is still generating all combinations of Week and Category/Name, and where no data exists in the fact table, it shows blanks. To fix this, the best approach is to update the measure being used in the matrix to check for blank results and limit the scope. You can write the measure like this:

Visible Pending Payment = 
IF (
    ISINSCOPE('FactTable'[Category]) &&
    ISINSCOPE('Calendar'[Week]) &&
    NOT ISBLANK([Pending Payment Amount]),
    [Pending Payment Amount]
)

This ensures the matrix only displays results where both the Category and Week are in scope and the value is not blank. If this doesn’t fully resolve the issue, add the same measure to the Filters pane for the visual and set it to show only values that are not blank. This acts as a final gatekeeper to remove residual blank combinations from the matrix.

Best regards,