Using Slicers and Visual Interactions

Creating a Slicer

A slicer allows users to filter report data using a field such as region, product category, date, or customer segment.

To create a slicer:

1. Open your report in Power BI Desktop.
2. Add a Slicer visual to the report canvas.
3. Drag a field, such as Region, into the slicer's field area.
4. Choose an appropriate slicer style, such as a list or dropdown, where supported.
5. Test the slicer by selecting different values.

For example, selecting North in a region slicer can filter sales visuals to show only the records associated with that region.

Date slicers are useful for selecting specific periods, while category slicers help users focus on particular products or business segments.

Understanding Visual Interactions

Power BI visuals can interact with one another. Selecting a category in one visual may filter or highlight related data in other visuals.

For example, clicking the Electronics bar in a sales chart may update a revenue card and highlight related values in another chart.

To configure these interactions:

1. Select the visual that will control other visuals.
2. Open the Format menu or ribbon.
3. Select Edit interactions.
4. Review the interaction options displayed on the other visuals.
5. Choose whether each visual should be filtered, highlighted, or unaffected, depending on the available options.
6. Exit interaction-editing mode and test the report.

The available behavior depends on the visual types and the relationships in the data model.

Filter vs. Highlight

Filtering removes unrelated records from the displayed result.

Highlighting emphasizes the selected portion while retaining contextual information about the other values, when the visual supports highlighting.

For example, selecting one region may filter a table to that region's transactions, while a supported chart may highlight the selected region's contribution to the overall result.

Use interactions that make the report easier to understand. If selecting one visual causes unrelated charts to change unexpectedly, review the interaction settings and data model.