October 2024: Top Power BI Updates With Soheil, Microsoft MVP

The October 2024 Power BI update brings new features that enhance data analysis and reporting. These updates are important for business users who rely on Power BI to make decisions. After exploring the latest offerings, here are my top three picks:

1. INFO.VIEW Functions
2. New List Slicer is in public preview
3. Dynamic Format Strings for Measures generally available

It was a close choice between the general availability of Dynamic Format Strings for Measures and the updates to Visual Calculations. The improvements in Visual Calculations are significant because they offer better data manipulation and quick analytical capabilities. However, the general availability of Dynamic Format Strings for Measures was more appealing to me. That being said, I would encourage you to learn about using Visual Calculations as they can be life savers in many cases.

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Let me explain these top picks and how they benefit business users.

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1. INFO.VIEW Functions

The INFO functions in DAX have been available for some time. The new INFO.VIEW functions offer more flexibility. These functions allow developers to extract metadata and structural information about the data model directly within Power BI reports. The main difference between the INFO functions and their INFO.VIEW counterparts is that the INFO functions cannot be used in any objects in the data model, while the INFO.VIEW functions can be utilised to create calculated tables and measures.

Imagine a report with a Data Model Documentation page at the end. With INFO.VIEW functions, you can display details like table names, column data types, and relationship mappings. This embedded documentation provides immediate context to report users, enhancing understanding. Watch the following short video to get some ideas on potential possibilities using these functions.

This feature is a big step toward better documentation but does not replace the need for thorough documentation practices. Proper documentation should include report explanations, detailed data model descriptions, Power Query steps, and how these layers interact. Even so, INFO.VIEW functions make important metadata easily accessible, bridging the gap between developers and users.

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2. New List Slicer (Preview)

The New Linavigating and filtering information easiest Slicer has been added to Power BI in preview mode. This visual improves the user experience by offering a more intuitive and customisable way to filter data within reports.

Benefits include:

• Improved usability: The New List Slicer supports search functionality and handles large datasets efficiently, making it easier for users to find and select items.
• Enhanced customisation: It offers advanced formatting options, allowing report designers to adjust the slicer’s appearance to match the report’s theme.
• Responsive design: The slicer works well on different devices, ensuring a consistent experience across desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

For business users, this means quicker access to relevant data and a more engaging interaction with reports. The New List Slicer streamlines data exploration, enabling users to gain insights more efficiently.

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3. Dynamic Format Strings for Measures (GA)

First introduced in public preview in April 2023, Dynamic Format Strings for Measures have now reached general availability. This feature allows report developers to define dynamic formatting for measures based on context. It enhances how data is presented in reports.

Use cases:

• Contextual formatting: Display the same measure in different formats depending on filters or selections. For example, sales figures can be shown as currency in one context and as units sold in another.
• Localised reporting: Automatically adjust number formats, date formats, or currency symbols based on the user’s settings.
• Enhanced storytelling: Highlight key metrics with appropriate formatting, making the data more compelling and easier to understand.

Benefits for business users:

• Clarity: Dynamic formatting presents data in the most relevant format for the context.
• Efficiency: Removes the need for multiple measures or complex expressions to handle different formatting scenarios.
• Engagement: Improves the visual appeal of reports, making them more engaging for stakeholders.

If you are a Power BI developer, I encourage you to read Zoe Douglas’s blog, in which she explains different use cases in depth. By using Dynamic Format Strings for Measures, business users receive reports that are accurate and visually intuitive, helping them make better decisions.

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Final Thoughts

The October 2024 Power BI update introduces features that enhance the reporting experience for business users. The INFO.VIEW functions help make data models more transparent within reports. The New List Slicer improves data interaction, making it easier to navigate and filter information. Finally, the general availability of Dynamic Format Strings for Measures enhances our ability to present data in meaningful ways, enriching our reports.