Buttons & Navigation

Buttons in Power BI are interactive objects that allow users to navigate between pages, trigger bookmarks, or perform actions in a report. They are essential for creating professional, interactive dashboards with a seamless user experience.

Using buttons effectively can turn a static report into an interactive, user-friendly experience.

Key Uses of Buttons

• Page Navigation – Move users between different report pages
• Trigger Bookmarks – Toggle visuals, filters, or layouts using bookmarks
• Reset Filters – Clear slicers or filters dynamically
• Call-to-Action – Guide users to key metrics or insights

Types of Buttons

1. Blank – Fully customizable, best for icons or shapes
2. Back – Automatically navigates to the previous page
3. Reset – Resets slicers and filters
4. Information – Displays text when hovered
5. Shape or Text Buttons – Predefined shapes with actions

Adding a Button

Step 1: Insert a Button

• Go to Insert → Buttons → Choose a type (Blank, Back, Reset, etc.)

Step 2: Configure Button Action

• Select the button → Format → Action → On
• Type Options:
  • Page Navigation – Navigate to a specific report page
  • Bookmark – Trigger a bookmark to toggle visuals or layouts
  • Back – Go to the previous page automatically

Step 3: Customize Button Appearance

• Change shape, color, text, icon, or tooltip for clarity
• Use hover and pressed states to give feedback to users
• Match button design to your dashboard theme

Example – Navigation Buttons

1. Create two pages: “Sales Overview” and “Regional Details.”
2. Insert a Blank button on the Sales Overview page.
3. Format the button → Action → Page navigation → Regional Details.
4. Insert a Back button on the Regional Details page.
5. Users can click the button to navigate between pages seamlessly.

Example – Toggle Button Using Bookmarks

1. Create two bookmarks: “Monthly View” and “Quarterly View.”
2. Insert two buttons labeled “Monthly” and “Quarterly.”
3. Assign each button to the corresponding bookmark.
4. Clicking the button toggles the report visuals between the two views.

Best Practices

• Keep buttons clear, intuitive, and consistent
• Use tooltips to guide users on button functionality
• Avoid too many buttons on one page to prevent clutter
• Combine buttons with bookmarks and selection pane for interactive storytelling

Conclusion

Buttons in Power BI enhance navigation, interactivity, and report usability. When combined with bookmarks, page navigation, and dynamic visuals, buttons allow users to explore dashboards easily, focus on relevant data, and create a more engaging reporting experience.