Slicer with Multiple Columns Displayed - Single Column of Data - Solved

[Jakepr26]

I am new to Power BI, so please forgive if this a basic Power BI 101 question. How do I create a slicer with multiple columns displayed? Not adding in multiple columns from the Dataset, just one dataset, with many selections. Imagine my column was the English Alphabet, all 26 letters. I create a slicer just for the ABC's. In vertical orientation, only one column shows, no matter how wide I make the slicer window. If I switch the orientation to Horizontal, I get multiple columns, but the cells are so tall and wide, I have to make the Slicer window massive to display all 26 letters.

Can someone help me here? In Excel, there is a Slicer Properties setting to determine the number of columns displayed, and the slicer window size determined the cell size within the slicer. Microsoft didn't get rid of this simple, easy to use functionality did it? Right?

Edit: For clarification, Horizontal or Vertical orientation, it does not matter for my purposes. I don't have an image to display here, but if you were to create a slicer in Excel for all 26 letters, then change the number of columns in the slicer to 3 or 4, this is what I am looking for.

Solution: Select "Get More Visuals", then search for "Chiclet Slicer".

[Anonymous]

Try downloading and using the Chiclet Slicer. Link: Visual Awesomeness Unlocked: The Chiclet Slicer | Microsoft Power BI Blog | Microsoft Power BI.

If you read this and need further help, let me know.

[Jakepr26]

Yeah, if you read to the bottom of my post, you'll see I found that solution a while ago. Thanks anyhow.

[littlemojopuppy]

 @Jakepr26 vertically oriented slicers won't fill to multiple columns.  Sorry...

[littlemojopuppy]

Hi @Jakepr26 no, they size themselves, at least the out of the box slicers.

There are a couple of slicer visuals you can add.  I really haven't played with them too much, but maybe you can find one that meets your needs.

[Jakepr26]

Hi @littlemojopuppy, understood. Thank you. Seems odd Microsoft would reverse their functionality like this, but maybe one day a PowerBI Slicer will mirror an Excel Slicer.

[littlemojopuppy]

Hi @Jakepr26.  If you only have a couple dozen items in the slicer I guess it would make sense to show them all like a slicer in Excel.  But more often, there are hundreds and potentially thousands of items that could be included.  Most people would never want to see that many.

[Jakepr26]

Hi @littlemojopuppy, even if the slicer has thousands of options, to be viable, it'd have to have multiple columns, because that would exponentially reduce the necessary scrolling for the client to find their desired choice for every additional column displayed. 

[Jakepr26]

Alright, can the horizontally oriented slicers have the button sizes reduced to useable heights and widths?

[Anonymous]

Hi @Jakepr26 ,

I think using a responsive, resizable slicer will solve your problem.

Check this out: Create a responsive slicer you can resize in Power BI - Power BI | Microsoft Docs

[Jakepr26]

Hi Noornani, this just explains how to use the horizontal orientation. It evens states in the instructions, you'll need to expand the window to show more values, but if the slicer buttons took up the same height space as in vertical, my problem would be solved.

[Anonymous]

Trying formatting the slicer visual by adjusting the hight and width. 

[Jakepr26]

Hi @Anonymous, if you're talking about the Slicer window in Horizontal Orientation, the height and width of the Slicer window must be enormous to display a reasonable number of Slicer buttons for the client's selection. 

If you are refering to adjusting the height and width of the slicer buttons within the window, I'd love to, I just can't seem to figure out how. Do you know how to adjust the height and width of the slicer buttons without adjust the height and width of the slicer window?

[calerof]

Hi @Jakepr26 ,

Here are two options:

1. Have a Slicer filtered in the Filter pane with your selection:

2. Add another visual, e.g. a Column chart to use it to slice the data:

Regards,

Fernando

[Jakepr26]

Thank you Fernando, unfortunately, neither suggestion is practical for my purposes right now. I have several necessary slicers, and a full table of data to be displayed.

[calerof]

@Jakepr26 

You can hide the slicers in a bookmark.

F

[Jakepr26]

Hi @calerof, it's not that I need the slicers hidden, it's that I need to optimize the available real estate. If slicers in Vertical Orientation can only support a single column, then my clients will just have to scroll. However, Horizontal Orientation can support multiple columns, but unless there is a way to resize the buttons to reasonable height and width, it is completely infeasible and displays less options than Vert. for the same window size.

[littlemojopuppy]

Hi @Jakepr26 if I'm understanding you correctly, you're wanting a slicer to show all values but without having to use horizontal alignment?

When you first create the slicer, drop in the field you want in the slicer.  Then before you do anything else look for a little arrow/chevron in the top right of the slicer.  Click it and then choose List.

Your slicer should then look something like this...

Hope this helps!

[Jakepr26]

This is the closest to what I'm asking about, however you see all that empty space to the right of the dates and where the dates continue below the screen? How do I get the dates to continue being listed in this display in the empty space to the right of the first column, and still take up the same space as they are now? Vertical descending order or horizontal, it does not matter for my purposes.