Table and matrix visuals in Power BI - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Table and matrix visuals

Business Question

How can we clearly see sales details by product and region, and also compare totals and subtotals easily?

Sample Data

Product	Region	Sales	Quantity
Apples	North	100	10
Apples	South	150	15
Bananas	North	200	20
Bananas	South	180	18
Cherries	North	120	12
Cherries	South	130	13

Dashboard Components

• Table Visual: Shows all rows with columns Product, Region, Sales, Quantity.
  No aggregation, just raw data for detailed view.
• Matrix Visual: Rows: Product; Columns: Region; Values: Sum of Sales and Sum of Quantity.
  Shows subtotals per product and grand totals.
  DAX Measures:
  Total Sales = SUM(SalesData[Sales])
Total Quantity = SUM(SalesData[Quantity])
• KPI Card: Shows Total Sales Overall.
  Total Sales Overall = SUM(SalesData[Sales])
  Result: 880 (100+150+200+180+120+130)

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+------------------------+
|      KPI Card        |                        |
|  Total Sales Overall |                        |
+----------------------+      Matrix Visual     +
|                      |  Product | North | South|
|      Table Visual     |------------------------|
|  Product | Region |  | Apples   |  100  |  150 |
|  Sales   | Quantity | | Bananas  |  200  |  180 |
|          |          | | Cherries |  120  |  130 |
+----------------------+------------------------+

Interactivity

Adding a slicer for Region filters both the Table and Matrix visuals to show only data for the selected region(s). The KPI card updates to show total sales only for the filtered region(s).

Selecting a product in the Matrix highlights corresponding rows in the Table visual for detailed inspection.

Self Check

If you add a filter to show only Region = North, which components update and how?

• The Table visual shows only rows where Region is North (Apples, Bananas, Cherries in North).
• The Matrix visual updates to show sales and quantity only for North region columns; South columns disappear or show zero.
• The KPI card updates to show total sales for North region only: 100 + 200 + 120 = 420.

Key Result

Dashboard showing sales details by product and region with table, matrix, and total sales KPI card.

Practice

1. What is the main difference between a Table visual and a Matrix visual in Power BI?

easy

A. Tables can show images, matrices cannot.

B. Matrix visuals allow grouping and subtotals, tables do not.

C. Tables support drill-down, matrices do not.

D. Matrix visuals cannot display numeric data.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Table visual features

   Tables display data in simple rows and columns without grouping or subtotals.

2. Step 2: Understand Matrix visual features

   Matrices allow grouping by rows and columns and show subtotals for those groups.

3. Final Answer:

   Matrix visuals allow grouping and subtotals, tables do not. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Grouping and subtotals = Matrix [OK]

Hint: Remember: Matrix = grouping + subtotals, Table = simple rows [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking tables support grouping and subtotals
• Confusing drill-down features between visuals
• Assuming matrices cannot show numbers

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a field to the Rows area in a Matrix visual in Power BI?

easy

A. Drag the field into the Rows area.

B. Drag the field into the Filters area.

C. Drag the field into the Values area.

D. Drag the field into the Columns area.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the Rows area in Matrix visual

   The Rows area is where you place fields to group data vertically in a matrix.

2. Step 2: Correct placement of fields

   Dragging a field into the Rows area groups data by that field in rows.

3. Final Answer:

   Drag the field into the Rows area. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Rows area = drag fields here for row grouping [OK]

Hint: Drag fields to Rows area for vertical grouping in matrix [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Dragging fields to Values instead of Rows
• Confusing Columns and Rows areas
• Placing fields in Filters instead of Rows

3. Given a Matrix visual with Category in Rows and Year in Columns, what will be shown if you add Sales to Values?

medium

A. A list of all sales transactions without grouping.

B. Sales totals only by Category without Year breakdown.

C. Sales totals only by Year without Category grouping.

D. Sales totals grouped by Category and Year with subtotals.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Matrix grouping by Rows and Columns

   Category in Rows groups data vertically; Year in Columns groups data horizontally.

2. Step 2: Adding Sales to Values

   Sales values will be aggregated for each Category-Year combination, showing subtotals.

3. Final Answer:

   Sales totals grouped by Category and Year with subtotals. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Matrix with Rows + Columns = grouped totals [OK]

Hint: Rows + Columns + Values = grouped totals with subtotals [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring the column grouping by Year
• Expecting ungrouped transaction list
• Confusing subtotals with raw data

4. You created a Matrix visual but subtotals are not showing. What is the most likely reason?

medium

A. Subtotals are disabled in the Matrix visual settings.

B. You did not add any fields to the Values area.

C. The data source has no numeric columns.

D. Matrix visuals never show subtotals.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check Matrix visual subtotal settings

   Subtotals can be turned on or off in the Format pane under Subtotals.

2. Step 2: Confirm fields and data type

   Even with fields added, subtotals won't show if disabled in settings.

3. Final Answer:

   Subtotals are disabled in the Matrix visual settings. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Subtotals off in settings = no subtotals shown [OK]

Hint: Check subtotal toggle in Format pane if subtotals missing [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming subtotals show automatically without enabling
• Thinking numeric data is required for subtotals
• Believing matrices never show subtotals

5. You want to create a report showing sales by Product Category and Region with subtotals for each. Which visual and setup is best?

hard

A. Use a Table visual with Product Category and Region in Values, Sales in Filters.

B. Use a Matrix visual with Sales in Rows, Product Category in Values, Region in Filters.

C. Use a Matrix visual with Product Category in Rows, Region in Columns, and Sales in Values.

D. Use a Table visual with Region in Rows and Sales in Columns.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify need for grouping and subtotals

   Showing sales by Product Category and Region with subtotals requires grouping on both dimensions.

2. Step 2: Choose visual and field placement

   Matrix visual supports grouping by Rows and Columns and shows subtotals; place Product Category in Rows, Region in Columns, Sales in Values.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a Matrix visual with Product Category in Rows, Region in Columns, and Sales in Values. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Matrix + Rows + Columns + Values = grouped subtotals [OK]

Hint: Matrix with Rows and Columns fields shows subtotals best [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using Table visual which lacks subtotals
• Placing Sales in Filters or wrong areas
• Confusing Rows and Values placement