High Contrast Color view - accessibility

[SilviuBratila]

Using canvas images as backgrounds, I've noticed inconsistent behavior of visuals in High Contrast mode:

1. SVG Image Behavior: Unlike wallpaper images, which are removed and replaced with a black background in High Contrast mode, an SVG image (with white areas around the visuals) remains visible and is not overlaid with black.

   • Why does Power BI handle SVG images differently from wallpaper images in High Contrast mode?
     

2. Visual Backgrounds: When setting a white background on visuals, it gets removed in High Contrast mode. Some visuals (e.g., bar charts, pie charts) ignore the background and show the original canvas image instead, while others (e.g., new card visuals) turn black only in certain areas, not the entire visual. (title of the visual)

   • What determines whether a visual’s background is removed or turned black in High Contrast mode?
   • Is there a way to ensure consistent background behavior across all visuals?

3. Shapes as Workarounds: Adding white-filled shapes behind visuals to force a black background in High Contrast mode doesn’t work. Instead of turning black, the white shapes turn yellow, just like black text does, leading to yellow text on a yellow background.

   • Why do white-filled shapes turn yellow instead of black in High Contrast mode?

How can be achieved a predictable High Contrast behavior when using custom backgrounds in Power BI?

[SilviuBratila]

Hi @v-hashadapu thanks for your detailed explanation and sorry for the late response.

One question regarding the 1st point: I've tried using an PNG in canvas image background but same behaviour as SVG, it's unchanged in High contrast mode. Are you referring using a PNG in canvas or wallpaper?

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @SilviuBratila , Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

Happy to help. No worries about the delay, we are here to help. Regarding your question, yes, I was referring to using a PNG as a wallpaper rather than as a canvas background image.

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @SilviuBratila , Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

Please let us know if your issue is solved. If it is, consider marking the answer that helped 'Accept as Solution', so others with similar queries can find it easily. If not, please share the details.
Thank you.

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @SilviuBratila , Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

Please let us know if your issue is solved. If it is, consider marking the answer that helped 'Accept as Solution', so others with similar queries can find it easily. If not, please share the details.
Thank you.

[v-hashadapu · Accepted solution]

Hi @SilviuBratila , Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

1. Power BI treats SVG images as foreground elements, so they remain visible, including any white areas around visuals. In contrast, wallpaper images (PNG/JPG) are classified as background elements and are removed in High Contrast mode, replaced with a black background to enhance readability. If you want SVG images to behave like wallpaper images, convert them to PNGs.
2. Some visuals (e.g., bar charts, pie charts) ignore background removal and show the original canvas image, while others (e.g., new card visuals) turn partially black (e.g., only the title). Titles, legends, and data labels are sometimes treated separately from the main visual, leading to inconsistent black overlays. Power BI follows system-defined colours, which override some backgrounds while leaving others unchanged. If needed, use transparent backgrounds in visuals for consistency. Apply a dark background instead of white to prevent unpredictable removals. Test different Windows High Contrast themes.
3. Power BI treats white-filled shapes as text-based foreground elements, not background layers. High Contrast mode changes foreground colours dynamically, so white elements turn yellow, just like white text does, instead of turning black. We suggest using Power BI’s built-in visual backgrounds, which properly adapt to High Contrast settings.
4. Since Power BI’s High Contrast mode behaviour varies by visual type, you may also want to submit a feature request to Microsoft for more consistent behaviour across all visuals. You can do this through the Power BI Ideas forum: New Idea - Microsoft Fabric Community.

Also please check out below documentation for clear details:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/design/accessibility/high-contrast-themes

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-accessibility-creating-reports#hig...

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/create-reports/desktop-accessibility-consuming-tools

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/developer/visuals/high-contrast-support?tabs=Standard%2CN...

If this helped solve the issue, please consider marking it 'Accept as Solution' so others with similar queries may find it more easily. If not, please share the details, always happy to help.
Thank you.

[Jennifer_L_Mann]

I'm having a similar issue. I have a bookmark that opens on top of other visualizations and no matter what I do I can only get two results: 

1. When using a white background shape: the bookmark is completely illegible because the white background turns yellow and blends with the yellow text
2. When setting a background color on the matrix visual, the background becomes completely transparent and the matrix is illegible due to the overlaping elements in the background. This happens regardless of the background color I set, which seems to conflict what you mention in #3.

Is there any way to maintain some sort of background that adequately changes with the high-contrast mode so the bookmark is useable? 

Thanks,

Jenn

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @Jennifer_L_Mann , Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Community Forum.

Can you please raise this issue as a separate new post here in the community, adding any other relevant details for us to clearly understand your scenario, so we can discuss this thoroughly and find a solution. We are always happy to help.

Thank you.

[Jennifer_L_Mann]

Thanks for your response - I've submitted a new issue here: https://community.fabric.microsoft.com/t5/Desktop/Issues-with-High-Contrast-Mode-and-bookmarks/m-p/5...

[v-hashadapu]

Hi @Jennifer_L_Mann , thanks for the update. Hope it gets solved soon.