Data visualisation is a powerful tool for communicating complex data. It presents it in a simple, easily understandable format. But it is not enough to create a graph or chart and call it a day. To truly use information, it is important to create insightful reports. Reports that effectively communicate the story behind the data.
Insightful reports help decision-makers understand key trends and patterns. As well as identify areas of opportunity and make informed decisions. If analytics graphs and bar charts only tell part of the story, it can lead people to make wrong decisions.
Creating holistic and insightful reports requires the use of several data points. One tool that enables this is Microsoft Power BI.
Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence tool. It allows you to connect many data sources to one dashboard. Using Power BI, you can easily model and visualise data holistically.
The platform has over 500 different data connectors. These connectors can tap into sources such as Salesforce, Excel, Azure, and more. Users can leverage pre-built report templates to save time in creating data-rich reporting. Teams can also collaborate and share dashboards virtually.
Image is from Microsoft
Getting started in Microsoft Power BI entails the following:
But creating great reports goes beyond that. Below, we’ll go through several tips and best practices for maximising your Power BI output.
It would help if you designed reporting dashboards with the end user in mind. What is it that this audience wants to see? Are they looking for bottom-line sales numbers? Or do they want to cover insights that can help target productivity gaps?
The use of clear and concise language and effective visualisations are essential. This help to highlight the key takeaways from the data. Customise reports to the audience’s level of technical expertise and business goals.
Many times, less is more. If you find that your dashboard looks crowded, you may be adding too many reports. The more you add, the more difficult it is to read the takeaways from the data.
Remove all but the most essential reports. Look for ways to include different data sets in a single report, such as using stacked bar charts. Dashboards should show important data at a glance, so do your best to avoid the need to scroll.
Experiment with presenting your data in different ways. Flip between bar, pie, and other charts to find the one that best tells the story. When building a new dashboard for your organisation, get some input. Ask those reviewing the reports which chart type works best for them.
Power Query is a data preparation engine. It can save you much time in developing insightful reports. This engine is used in Microsoft tools like Power BI and Excel.
Take time to learn how to leverage this tool for help with the following:
Bing and Power BI integrate, allowing you to leverage default map coordinates. Use best practices to leverage the mapping power of Bing to improve your geo-coding.
For example, name your columns after the geographic designation if you want to plot cities on a map. This helps Bing identify precisely what you’re looking for.
A typical comment often heard when presenting executives with a new report is, “What am I looking at?” Tell your audience what the data means using features like tooltips and text boxes to add context.
Just one or two sentences can save someone 5-10 minutes trying to figure out why you gave them this report. That context can get them to a decision faster. It also helps avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about the data.
People usually read left to right and from top to bottom. So put your most crucial chart in the top left corner. Follow with the next most important reports.
If you have specific numbers that need to stand out, increase the font size or bold the text. This ensures that your audience understands the key takeaways.
Use colours to emphasise things like a “High, Mid, Low.” For example, a low level of accidents could be green, a mid-level in yellow, and a high-coloured red. This provides more visual context to the data.
We can help you get started or improve your use of Microsoft 365, Power BI, and more. Call us today to schedule a chat about leveraging this powerful platform.
You need the best IT support in London. Technology is complicated and expensive. It’s so hard to maintain everything and know what to do when something breaks or goes wrong. IT problems can really put a damper on your day. They’re frustrating, time-consuming, and can seem like a never-ending cycle of issues.
We’re always just a phone call away; we live and breathe IT services. We’re here to help your business with anything that could go wrong with your systems or devices.
Contact us today or explore the range of support packages on offer.
6 Things You Should Do to Handle Data Privacy Updates
Once data began going digital, authorities realised a need to protect it. Thus, data privacy rules and regulations are created…
6 Steps to Effective Vulnerability Management for Your Technology
Technology vulnerabilities are an unfortunate side effect of innovation. When software companies push new updates, the code often has weaknesses….
Business owners often have to wear many hats, from handling HR and marketing tasks to managing the finances. One task…
Cool Windows 11 Features That May Make You Love This OS
Microsoft released the Windows 11 operating system (OS) over a year ago. It was well-received mainly with reviews as stable…
6 Ways to Prevent Misconfiguration (the Main Cause of Cloud Breaches)
Misconfiguration of cloud solutions is often overlooked when companies plan cybersecurity strategies. Cloud apps are typically quick and easy to…
4 Proven Ways to Mitigate the Costs of a Data Breach
No business wants to suffer a data breach, but unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid them in today’s environment. Approximately 83%…
The benefits of AI include advancing our technology, improving business operations, and much more. Adoption of AI has more than doubled…
Leading Password Managers for Personal and Business
We hope that your business is already considering a password manager system, but there’s still the matter of finding the…
You often hear the words “digital transformation” and “collaboration.” But what do they actually mean? What do they mean for…
What’s Changing in the Cybersecurity Insurance Market?
Cybersecurity insurance is still a pretty new concept for many SMBs. It was initially introduced in the 1990s to provide coverage for large enterprises. It covered things like data processing errors and online media.
What to include in a Year-end Technology Infrastructure Review
When the year is coming to a close, it’s the perfect time to plan for the future. Most businesses begin…
What are the advantages of implementing Conditional Access?
It seems that nearly as long as passwords have been around, they’ve been a major source of security concern. Eighty-one…
Simple Setup Checklist for Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a lot of things. It’s a video conferencing tool, a team messaging channel, and a tool for…
IT MSP in London – A Guide to Choosing the Best for your Business
Are you a business owner in London in need of reliable IT support? Look no further! In this post, we’ll…
Information Technology Specialist for IT Support
In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses rely heavily on technology to drive their operations and achieve their goals. As a…
24/7 IT Services in London to Keep Your Business Secure
The Benefits of 24/7 IT Services in London In the bustling business hub of London, having access to 24/7 IT…
Penetration Testing in Today’s Digital Age and it’s Importance
In today’s digital age, where cyber threats lurk around every corner, ensuring the security of your organisation’s digital assets is…
Unlock the Full Potential of Microsoft 365 for Your Business
Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive suite that enhances productivity and collaboration, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, many…
Technical Debt Management; What You Need to Do
Understanding Technical Debt Technical debt can be likened to an unplanned loan that accrues when companies choose short-term fixes over…
Avoid Network Connectivity Issues: 6 Expert Troubleshooting Tips
A robust business network connectivity is essential for smooth operations as the critical infrastructure that keeps data flowing throughout your…
Essential Security Practices for Remote Working
As remote work becomes increasingly common, it is crucial to implement robust security practices to protect sensitive information and maintain…
