Mobile layout view in Power BI - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Mobile layout view lets you create a special version of your report optimized for phones. It helps your report look good and be easy to use on small screens without changing the main report.

When you want your sales report to be easy to read on a phone screen.

When your manager needs to check key numbers quickly on their mobile device.

When you want to rearrange visuals to fit better on a vertical phone screen.

When some charts are too big or complex for mobile and need simpler versions.

When you want to hide some visuals on mobile to reduce clutter.

Steps

Step 1: Open your report

- Power BI Desktop

Your report appears on the main canvas

Step 2: Click

- View tab on the ribbon

View options appear

Step 3: Select

- Mobile layout button in the View tab

Mobile layout canvas opens showing a blank phone screen outline

Step 4: Drag and drop

- Visuals from the main report page onto the mobile layout canvas

Visuals appear inside the phone outline arranged for mobile viewing

💡 You can resize and move visuals to fit the phone screen better

Step 5: Adjust

- Mobile layout canvas

Visuals are arranged vertically and sized for easy reading on phones

Step 6: Click

- Back to Report view button in the View tab

Return to the normal report editing view

Step 7: Save

- File menu

Your mobile layout settings are saved with the report

Before vs After

Before

Report page shows 10 visuals arranged for desktop with wide layout

After

Mobile layout shows 4 key visuals arranged vertically inside phone screen outline

Settings Reference

Mobile layout canvas size

📍 View tab > Mobile layout

Shows the phone screen shape to help arrange visuals for mobile

Default: Phone screen outline only

Visual placement

📍 Mobile layout canvas

Allows arranging visuals to fit mobile screen size and orientation

Default: Empty canvas

Sync with main report visuals

📍 Mobile layout canvas

You choose which visuals to show on mobile, independent from main report

Default: No automatic sync

Common Mistakes

Not adding any visuals to the mobile layout canvas

The mobile report will appear blank on phones

Drag at least the important visuals onto the mobile layout canvas

Leaving visuals too small or overlapping in mobile layout

Users will have trouble reading or interacting with visuals on phones

Resize and space visuals clearly for easy mobile viewing

Assuming mobile layout changes the main report layout

Mobile layout is separate and does not affect desktop report appearance

Edit mobile layout independently without worrying about main report

Summary

Mobile layout view creates a phone-friendly version of your report.

You arrange and resize visuals inside a phone screen outline for better mobile use.

Mobile layout changes do not affect the main desktop report layout.