Unlock the Power of the UNICHAR() Function in Power BI

[anmolmalviya05]

Power BI is a feature-rich tool for building powerful data reports and dashboards. But beyond the commonly used visuals and DAX measures, there's a hidden gem that can add personality, context, and even visual storytelling to your reports — the UNICHAR() function.

In this blog, we’ll explore what UNICHAR() does, how to use it, and where it can bring real magic to your reports. 🪄

🔍 What is the UNICHAR() Function?

The UNICHAR() function returns the Unicode character that corresponds to the given numeric code.

📌 Syntax:

UNICHAR(<Unicode_Code>)

🧠 Example:

Checkmark = UNICHAR(10004)

This will display: ✅

Unicode is a universal character set that includes symbols, emojis, characters from various languages, and more — meaning you can go far beyond plain text.

💡 Practical Use Cases for UNICHAR() in Power BI

Let’s look at how this small function can make a big impact.

1️⃣ Custom Icons & Visual Indicators

Use UNICHAR() to add visual feedback like checkmarks, crosses, arrows, and more.

✅ Example:

Success Icon = IF([Status] = "Completed", UNICHAR(10004), UNICHAR(10008))

• UNICHAR(10004) → ✓
• UNICHAR(10008) → ✗

These symbols help users immediately identify statuses without reading detailed text.

2️⃣ Emojis for Data Labeling 🎯

Emojis can turn boring tables into engaging insights. You can represent customer sentiment, priority levels, or product types with just a glance.

Customer Feedback =

SWITCH(TRUE(),

[Rating] = 5, UNICHAR(128522), -- 😊

[Rating] = 3, UNICHAR(128528), -- 😐

[Rating] = 1, UNICHAR(128546) -- 😢

)

👀 Bonus Tip: Combine with conditional formatting to show these emojis dynamically in table visuals!

3️⃣ Multilingual Flags 🌍

You can even use UNICHAR() to add flag emojis for internationalization — making your reports more user-friendly in global environments.

LanguageFlag =

IF([Language] = "French",

UNICHAR(127467) & UNICHAR(127479), -- 🇫🇷

UNICHAR(127464) & UNICHAR(127487) -- 🇺🇸

)

🗣️ Want to show language or region indicators next to your data? This is the cleanest way.

4️⃣ Decorative Separators & Styling ✨

Sometimes, all you need is a nice horizontal line, arrow, or bullet point to separate or decorate your visual components.

LineSeparator = UNICHAR(8213) -- ⎯⎯⎯⎯

Bullet = UNICHAR(8226) -- •

RightArrow = UNICHAR(10145) -- ➡️

You can use these in table columns, cards, or even as a legend in tooltips.

📌 Unicode Resources

You can find Unicode codes at:

• https://unicode-table.com
• https://emojipedia.org

Just copy the code number and plug it into UNICHAR()!

🎯 Conclusion

The UNICHAR() function in Power BI may not get the spotlight, but it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to:

• Enhance visual appeal
• Add contextual indicators
• Support international users
• Make reports more interactive and fun

Next time you're building a dashboard, think beyond charts. Add some Unicode charm with UNICHAR()! 🧩

📢 Let’s Stay Connected!

Regards

Anmol Malviya | Addend Analytics