Copying cell values from mobile layout

[Petsnell]

Hello, friends. 

I am making my first app with the mobile layout, and phone numbers are a central piece.

From my research it is evident that creating a hyperlink for phone call similar to that of "mailto:" for emails is unavailable within Power BI, so users will be required to extract the relevant phone number from the report.

However, I cannot find a good solution. It seems that the only way is to use a visual that can be shown as a table and copy the cell value from there, which is rather unpractical and limiting - for instance, this workaround does not work with multi row cards or Cards (new). (Edit: it works with Cards (new) if the values are in their own card, but not as reference labels - might be the best solution thus far)

Any suggestions on how I can make it easy for users to copy values such as phone numbers? I would be surprised if this is not a common design requirement for the mobile layout view. 

All the best and thank you for replies. 

[vaibhavmahajan]

Hi @Petsnell ,

I hope you are doing well today 🙂❤️

Below are a few options you can try to make it easier for users to copy values (like phone numbers) in the Power BI mobile layout:

Option 1: Use a Table or Matrix visual (Most reliable)

• Tables allow long-press → Copy value in the Power BI mobile app

• You can:

  • Hide headers

  • Reduce columns to only the phone number

  • Use conditional formatting to make it look cleaner

• This remains the most consistent and supported method

Option 2: Cards (New) – one value per card

• As you observed, Cards (new) allow copying only when the value is the main card value

• Reference labels or multi-value cards cannot be copied

• If design allows, placing each phone number in its own card is a workable compromise

Option 3: Tooltip workaround

• Show phone numbers in a tooltip table

• Users can long-press and copy from the tooltip

• Not ideal UX, but useful when screen space is limited

Reality check

Power BI mobile layout is optimized for consumption, not interaction. As of now, there is no native “copy text” or phone-dial action outside of table-based visuals.

 

Recommendation

For mobile-first reports where copying phone numbers is critical:

• Use a minimal table or matrix

• Or Cards (new) with one value per card

• Clearly label the visual with “Long-press to copy” to guide users

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If this answer helped, kindly give Kudos and mark it as the Accepted Solution

to help other members find it more quickly.

Best regards,

Vaibhav Mahajan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaibhavnmahajan

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[jburklund]

Hi! Did you ever find a way to achieve this? I've been trying to get something similar working without success. Unfortunately, copying the value from a table on mobile is still not very intuitive.

[michalfoster]

Hi @jburklund,
The option to copy values from visuals and tables is available via the "Show as a table" option ib the  "..." (More options) menu on the visual, select "Show as a table", and you'll see all the values in a table format ready to be copied easily.

 

[Anonymous]

HI @Petsnell,

AFAIK, current it seems not support these. Perhaps you can submit an idea for add support to expand hyperlink feature with mailto format links.

Microsoft Power BI ideas

Regards,

Xiaoxin Sheng