Power BI has become the most reliable business intelligence tool for businesses worldwide, turning raw data into clear, visual stories. With over 33 million monthly active users worldwide, Power BI is one of the most widely adopted business intelligence platforms available today. It’s safe to say Power BI is doing more than just reporting—it’s shaping decisions. What makes it even better is how fast it’s evolving. One of the latest upgrades? Custom data labels.
Custom data labels in Power BI is small but mighty feature that lets you show not just values, but extra details like percentages, icons, or even formatted titles—all in the same visual. It’s a big win for anyone who’s tired of choosing between showing numbers or percentages. Let’s break down how to use these labels to get sharper, cleaner, and smarter charts.
Getting Started with Custom Data Labels in Power BI
The Default vs New Data Label Setup in Power BI
What the Default Looked Like Before
Before the December 2023 update, Power BI’s data labels were pretty basic. You could turn them on to show a value (like sales figures), but that was mostly it. The label would appear either inside or outside the bar/column, and your options were limited to things like position, font size, and color.
In short:
- You could show a single value (like Net Sales).
- Positioning options were available (inside end, outside end, etc.).
- No easy way to show multiple details (like both value and % of total).
- Customization was limited.
What’s New with Custom Data Labels (Dec 2023 Update)
The update introduced a much richer setup. You can now break the label into three flexible parts:
- Title – Can show the series name by default, or you can use a custom measure (for example, a dynamic label or category).
- Value – The main number, like Net Sales or MTD (Month-To-Date).
- Details – A secondary measure or icon, such as % of total, growth rate, or even a visual cue (like ↑ or ↓ based on performance).
You also get new formatting controls:
- Label layout options: Single-line or multi-line
- Overflow text handling: Makes sure long labels don’t get cut off
- Font styling for each part: Bold, italic, custom colors
- Conditional formatting: Dynamically change label color based on logic
- Background and transparency settings: Improve contrast and readability
Why It Matters
Now, instead of choosing between a number or a percentage, you can show both together. You can also make your visuals smarter with color-coded cues and dynamic text. It’s a huge improvement for reports where clarity and context are key.
This update gives you more control, more context, and less clutter.
Understanding How Custom Data Labels Work
Sales Data Model: Bar Chart with Item Brand and Net Sales
To explore the custom data label features, the presenter starts with a basic sales data model in Power BI. This model includes:
- A fact table called Sales
- Connected dimension tables: Date, Item, Geography, and Customer
- All relationships are one-to-many and single-directional
This setup follows a standard star schema, ideal for reporting.
Step-by-Step: Creating the Bar Chart
1. Open Power BI Desktop
Load the existing sales model.
2. Add a New Report Page
A fresh canvas makes it easier to focus on the chart.
3. Create a Bar Chart Visual
- Drag Item Brand to the X-axis
- Drag Net Sales to the Y-axis
4. Enable Data Labels
- Turn on the data label option in the visual settings.
- By default, it shows just the Net Sales value on each bar.
5. Adjust the Label Position
- Set to Auto, which lets Power BI decide whether to place the label inside or outside the bar based on space.
- Other options like Inside End, Inside Center, or Outside End can also be used based on preference.
This is the base setup before any advanced label customization is applied. It sets the stage for experimenting with the new features like titles, details, icons, conditional formatting, and multi-line layouts. From here, the visual becomes a lot more flexible and informative.
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Custom Data Label in Power BI: Breaking Down the Features
Custom label features let you build rich, easy-to-read visuals without overcrowding your charts. They’re not just labels anymore — they’re mini dashboards within your visuals.
1. Enabling Data Labels
Once the bar chart is created, the first step is to turn on data labels in the visual settings. This is where the fun begins.
Placement Options
After enabling labels, you can choose where to place them:
- Auto (default): Power BI decides whether to show the label inside or outside the bar based on space.
- Inside End: Shows the label near the end of the bar, inside the visual.
- Outside End: Pushes the label slightly outside the bar.
- Inside Center: Centers the label within the bar.
- Inside Base: Places the label at the starting point of the bar.
2. Overflow Text: When and Why to Use It
If your labels include long text, multiple measures, or a lot of detail, some bars may not display the full label by default. That’s where Overflow Text helps:
- When enabled, it makes sure all labels appear, even if space is tight.
- Without it, Power BI might skip some bars and show only a few labels.
- It’s especially helpful when using multi-line layouts or background colors, which take up more space.
3. Titles, Values, and Details
This is where the new update helps — the label is now split into three editable sections.
Title
- By default, the Title shows the series name (like “Net Sales”).
- You can replace it with a custom measure, allowing more dynamic titles based on logic or context.
- For example, use a DAX measure to show “Current Month Sales” instead of just “Net Sales”.
Values
- The Value section typically shows the main number — like Net Sales or Sales MTD.
- You’re free to change it to any field or measure in your model.
- For example, swapping Net Sales with MTD Sales (Month-To-Date) allows for more relevant time-based analysis.
Details
- This section lets you add a second value, like a comparison metric or even a symbol.
- In the video, the user adds a custom icon measure that displays an up or down arrow (↑ or ↓) depending on whether performance improved or dropped.
- You can also show % of total, MoM change, or any other metric.
Each part (Title, Value, Detail) also supports:
- Custom font styling (bold, italic)
- Conditional formatting, so you can make red for drop, green for growth, etc.
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Power BI’s new label setup isn’t just about adding extra numbers—it’s about making your visuals talk. Using icons and conditional formatting, you can show trends, highlight drops or spikes and make labels easier to read at a glance.
The Concept of Icon Measures
Icon measures transform raw data into intuitive visual cues, allowing instant performance recognition. By leveraging simple Unicode characters, you can create dynamic visual representations of data trends.
Building the Icon Measure
Dax
Key Components:
- Conditional logic determines icon direction
- Unicode arrows represent performance trends
- ▲ (Up Arrow): Indicates positive performance
- ▼ (Down Arrow): Signals negative performance
- Instantly communicates trend without reading numbers
2. Conditional Formatting: Advanced Visual Storytelling
Font Style Customization
Formatting transforms static labels into dynamic visual narratives. Power BI offers multiple font styling options to enhance data readability and emphasis.
Styling Options:
- Bold: Highlight critical metrics
- Italic: Indicate secondary or comparative information
- Adjustable font weight for hierarchy
- Instant visual differentiation
Create a measure that dynamically changes color based on performance metrics.
Dax
Color Coding Principles:
- Red: Negative performance, declining metrics
- Green: Positive performance, growth indicators
- Instant visual comprehension
- Removes need for detailed number analysis
Background Customization:
- Add color context to labels
- Adjust transparency for subtle emphasis
- Improve readability in complex charts
Custom Data Labels
Practical Implementation Example
Sales Performance Dashboard
Pro Tips for Effective Formatting
- Keep formatting consistent
- Test multiple configurations
- Ensure color-blind accessibility
Potential Use Cases
- Sales performance tracking
- Marketing metric visualization
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Power BI Data Label Layout: Single-Line vs Multi-Line Configurations
Power BI offers two primary layouts for data labels: single-line and multi-line. Choosing the appropriate layout enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your visualizations.
Single-Line Layout:
ll label components—such as title, value, and detail—are displayed on a single line.
Best Suited For:
- Visuals with limited space where a concise presentation is essential.
- Horizontal bar charts where horizontal space is more accommodating.
- Situations requiring a streamlined, minimalist design.
Advantages:
- Maintains a compact and tidy appearance.
- Prevents overcrowding in visuals with numerous data points.
Multi-Line Layout:
Label components are distributed across multiple lines, allowing for more detailed information display.
Best Suited For:
- Visuals where additional context is necessary, such as including both actual values and percentages.
- Stacked column charts or visuals with ample vertical space. Reddit
- Scenarios where data labels contain multiple metrics or longer text descriptions.
Advantages:
- Enhances readability by separating different pieces of information.
Considerations for Choosing Between Single-Line and Multi-Line Layouts:
- Space Availability: Assess the amount of space within your visual. Multi-line labels may require more room and can lead to clutter if space is constrained.
- Information Complexity: Determine the level of detail necessary for your audience. Use multi-line layouts when additional context adds value; opt for single-line layouts for simplicity.
- Visual Type: Align the label layout with the type of chart or graph. For instance, multi-line labels often complement stacked visuals by clearly displaying multiple data points.
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Mastering Percentage and Value Representation with Custom Data Labels in Power BI
In Power BI, effectively displaying both absolute values and their corresponding percentages within a single visual enhances data interpretation. Here’s how to achieve this:
1. Previous Limitations
Historically, Power BI restricted data labels to display either the absolute value or the percentage, but not both simultaneously. This limitation often required users to choose between showcasing raw figures or their relative proportions, potentially omitting valuable context.
2. Crafting a Percentage Measure
To display both values and percentages, begin by creating a measure that calculates the percentage contribution of each category. This involves removing specific filters to compute the total context. Utilize the CALCULATE() function in combination with REMOVEFILTERS() to achieve this:
In this example:
- Total Sales computes the sum of sales amounts.
- Percentage of Total Sales calculates the proportion of sales for each category relative to the overall total by removing filters on the Category column.
3. Integrating Values and Percentages in Data Labels
After establishing the necessary measures, incorporate both the absolute values and percentages into your visual’s data labels:
- Select the Visual: Click on the desired chart to modify.
- Enable Data Labels: Navigate to the Format pane and toggle on the Data Labels option.
- Customize Data Labels: Within the Data Labels settings, locate the Values and Details fields. Assign the Total Sales measure to Values and the Percentage of Total Sales measure to Details.
- Adjust Display Units: For clarity, set the display units for both measures to None to present exact figures without automatic scaling.
By implementing these steps, your Power BI visuals will effectively display both absolute values and their corresponding percentages, providing a comprehensive view of your data.
Use Case: Stacked Column and Bar Charts
Enhancing stacked column and bar charts in Power BI can significantly improve data visualization and readability. Here’s how to optimize these visuals:
1. Sorting the Legend by Value
Challenge: By default, Power BI sorts legend entries alphabetically, which may not align with the data’s significance.
Solution: To sort the legend based on values:
Create a Custom Sort Order:
- Add a new column to your data that assigns a numerical value representing the desired order for each legend category.
- For example, if sorting sales stages, assign numbers like 1 for ‘Prospect’, 2 for ‘Qualified’, etc.
Sort the Legend Column:
- In Power BI, select the legend field.
- Use the ‘Sort by Column’ feature to sort it by the newly created numerical column.
This approach ensures that both the legend and the stacked segments in the chart follow a logical, data-driven order, enhancing interpretability.
Final Touches for Improved Readability
Layout Adjustments:
Multi-Line Labels: For stacked column charts, displaying data labels in a multi-line format can prevent overcrowding and improve clarity.
To implement:
- Select the visual and navigate to the ‘Format’ pane.
- Under ‘Data Labels’, adjust the layout settings to enable multi-line display.
Overflow Settings: Enabling text overflow ensures that lengthy labels are fully visible without truncation.
To enable:
- In the ‘Format’ pane, locate the ‘Data Labels’ section.
- Toggle the ‘Overflow Text’ option to ‘On’.
Auto-Positioning:
Utilize Power BI’s auto-positioning feature for data labels to automatically adjust their placement, reducing overlap and enhancing readability.
To activate:
Within the ‘Data Labels’ settings, set the position to ‘Auto’.
Applying these adjustments results in cleaner, more informative stacked column and bar charts, facilitating better data comprehension.
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