Microsoft’s Power BI is a powerful data analytics tool that allows users to create visually appealing reports and graphs without the need for coding. One of the key features of Power BI is the ability to apply different report themes to customize the appearance of your reports. In this article, we will explore how to apply default themes, import themes from other sources, and create custom themes in Power BI.

Importing a Dataset

Before we can start creating reports in Power BI, we need to import a dataset. For this example, we will be using a world population dataset for 2020. You can download the dataset in CSV format from the following Kaggle link: [link to dataset]. To import the dataset in Power BI, click on the “Get Data” option in the top menu and select the CSV option. Once the data is loaded, you can choose to either transform the data in the Power BI Query Editor or directly load it into the reports view.

Creating Reports

Once the data is loaded, you will be in the reports view where you can add visualizations to your report. To demonstrate the use of report themes, let’s add a donut chart and a treemap to our report. You can select these visualizations from the list of available options and customize them by dragging and dropping the appropriate fields from your dataset.

Applying Default Themes

Power BI provides a range of default themes that you can apply to your reports with just a few clicks. To apply a default theme, click on the “Switch Theme” button in the top menu and select the desired theme from the dropdown list. The visualizations in your report will automatically update to reflect the selected theme.

Importing Themes

In addition to the default themes, you also have the option to import themes created by other users. There are various sources available where you can find and download these themes. Once you have downloaded a theme in JSON format, you can import it into Power BI by clicking on the “Switch Theme” button and selecting the “Import theme” option. Choose the JSON file you downloaded and Power BI will apply the imported theme to your report.

Creating Custom Themes

If none of the default themes or imported themes suit your requirements, you can create your own custom theme by customizing an existing theme. To enable this feature, go to “File -> Options and settings” and select “Preview features”. Check the checkbox for “Customize current theme” and restart Power BI. Once enabled, you can access the “Customize current theme” option from the “Switch Theme” menu. In the customization dialog, you can make changes to the existing theme, such as modifying colors or fonts. Once you are satisfied with your customizations, you can save the theme as a JSON file and use it in future reports.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored the various ways to work with report themes in Power BI. Whether you choose to apply default themes, import themes from other sources, or create your own custom themes, Power BI provides a flexible and user-friendly interface for customizing the appearance of your reports. By leveraging the power of report themes, you can create visually stunning and impactful reports that effectively communicate your data insights.