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Data plays a critical role in making informed decisions in today’s rapidly changing world. With mobile devices becoming an inseparable aspect of our daily lives, we are increasingly dependent on them for conducting business-related tasks. As a result, it has become essential to create mobile dashboards that provide easy access to critical data on the go. Power BI mobile apps allow your end users to access any Power BI report page on their device. But reports designed for use on a computer can be difficult to read and interact with on mobile phones.
Therefore, I would like to share some of the best practices that I follow in Power BI to create professional-looking mobile dashboards.
Keep it simple
The first and most important rule of creating a mobile dashboard is to keep it simple. Mobile screens are smaller than computer screens, so it’s essential to focus on the most critical information. Avoid cluttering the dashboard with too many visuals, charts, and tables. Use only the necessary elements that convey the data story.
Plan your dashboard layout
Before you begin creating your dashboard, it’s important to plan out the basic layout. Think about what information you want to present and how you want to present it. You should also consider the target audience and what devices they are likely to use. With this in mind, you can design the dashboard to be mobile-friendly from the beginning.
Use a grid layout
A grid layout is an effective way to organize your dashboard. It helps to maintain a consistent look and feel throughout the dashboard.
Use mobile formatting options
In Power BI, use mobile formatting options to style and format visuals in a mobile-optimized layout without affecting their formatting in a web layout.
Optimize visualizations for mobile
Power BI offers a variety of visualizations; however, not all of them are responsive and suitable for mobile devices. Avoid using visualizations that are too complex or require too much interaction, as they can be difficult to use on a small screen.
Use drill-through navigation
Drill-through navigation allows users to click on a data point to see more detailed information. This feature is particularly useful on mobile devices, as it reduces the need for users to navigate through multiple pages to find what they need.
Test your dashboard
Before publishing your dashboard, test it on multiple devices to ensure that it is mobile-friendly. Make sure that the visuals are easy to read and interact with on a small screen and that the layout is optimized for mobile devices.
Publish your dashboard
Once you’re happy with your mobile-friendly dashboard, you can publish it to the Power BI service. Users can access the dashboard from any device with an internet connection, making it easy to stay up-to-date on the go.
In conclusion, creating a mobile-friendly dashboard in Power BI requires careful planning and consideration of the target audience and device. By following these practices, you can create a professional-looking dashboard that is easy to use and provides valuable insights on any device.