Developer Visual icon (</>) does not appear

[Dvarga0914]

Hi everyone,

I'm starting with custom visual development (using TypeScript, Node.js, and the pbiviz tools). I'm running into an issue enabling the developer visual in PBI Desktop.

Problem: When I go to File > Options and settings > Options > CURRENT FILE > Report settings and check the box "Develop a visual - Override the available AppSource visual's version...", and click OK, the Developer Visual icon (</>) does not appear in the Visualizations pane, even immediately within that same session. It's not just an issue of it not persisting after reopening; it never seems to activate the icon visually.

Troubleshooting Done:

• Confirmed pbiviz start is running successfully for my test project.
• Tried multiple recent PBI Desktop versions (incl. March 2025, Jan 2025, Feb 2025).
• Performed clean uninstalls (including removing AppData folders) and reinstalled both Store and MSI versions.
• Tested on brand new, blank PBIX files.
• Verified by unzipping a saved PBIX that "DeveloperMode":true is being saved correctly internally in the Report/Layout file.
• Tried running PBI Desktop as Administrator.
• Multiple computer restarts.

Environment:

• Windows 11 x64 [or your version]
• Power BI Desktop x64 (versions mentioned above)
• Free version, no Microsoft/Fabric account login used (personal home desktop).

It seems like Desktop is saving the setting internally but failing to update the UI or enable the visual icon based on that setting. Has anyone seen this specific immediate failure before, or have any ideas on what else could be causing this conflict? Any suggestions beyond using pbiviz package repeatedly?

Thanks!

[v-sathmakuri]

Hi @Dvarga0914 ,

I hope this information provided is helpful. Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or would like to discuss this in more detail. If responses provided answers your question, please accept it as a solution so other community members with similar problems can find a solution faster.

Thank you!!

[v-sathmakuri]

Hi @Dvarga0914 ,

I wanted to check if you had the opportunity to review the information provided. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. If the responses has addressed your query, please accept it as a solution and give a 'Kudos' so other members can easily find it.

Thank you!!

[v-sathmakuri]

Hi @Dvarga0914 ,

May I ask if you have resolved this issue? If so, please mark the helpful reply and accept it as the solution. This will be helpful for other community members who have similar problems to solve it faster.

Thank you!!

[v-sathmakuri · Accepted solution]

Hi @Dvarga0914 ,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Fabric Community.

As outlined in the documentation below, The developer visual is currently only available in the Power BI service and not in Power BI Desktop or the mobile app.  PFBS for reference.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/developer/visuals/power-bi-custom-visuals-troubleshoot

To enable developer options in the Power BI service, a working solution has been shared by the community and can be found here for your reference:

https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Developer/Developer-visual-icon-is-missing/m-p/423343 

If this post helps, then please consider Accepting as solution to help the other members find it more quickly, don't forget to give a "Kudos" – I’d truly appreciate it! 

Thank you!!