Custom visuals from marketplace in Power BI - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Custom visuals from the marketplace let you add new chart types and visuals to your Power BI reports. This helps when the built-in visuals do not meet your specific needs or style preferences.

When you want to show data in a unique way not available in default visuals

When your report needs interactive visuals like advanced maps or specialized charts

When you want to match your company’s branding with custom-designed visuals

When you need visuals that support specific data types or formats

When you want to enhance user experience with more engaging visuals

Steps

Step 1: Click

- Visualizations pane, click the three dots (ellipsis) at the top

A menu opens with options including 'Get more visuals'

💡 The ellipsis is always at the top of the Visualizations pane

Step 2: Select

- 'Get more visuals' option from the menu

The Power BI visuals marketplace window opens showing available custom visuals

Step 3: Browse or search

- Marketplace window search bar or categories

You see a list of custom visuals matching your search or category

Step 4: Click

- A visual you want to add

A detailed page about the visual opens with description and screenshots

Step 5: Click

- 'Add' button on the visual’s page

The visual is downloaded and added to your Visualizations pane

Step 6: Close

- Marketplace window

You return to your report with the new visual available to use

Step 7: Click

- The new custom visual icon in the Visualizations pane

The visual placeholder appears on the report canvas ready for data

Before vs After

Before

Visualizations pane shows only default Power BI visuals

After

Visualizations pane includes new custom visual icons added from the marketplace

Settings Reference

Visual permissions

📍 Visualizations pane ellipsis menu > Manage visuals

Control whether custom visuals can be used in your reports

Default: Enable

Update visuals

📍 Visualizations pane ellipsis menu > Get more visuals

Keep your custom visuals up to date with improvements and fixes

Default: Use installed version

Common Mistakes

Trying to use a custom visual without adding it from the marketplace first

The visual icon will not appear in the Visualizations pane until added

Always add the custom visual from the marketplace before using it

Ignoring permissions settings that block custom visuals

Custom visuals may be disabled by admin settings, so they won’t work

Check and enable custom visuals permissions in the Manage visuals menu

Summary

Custom visuals from the marketplace expand your report design options beyond default charts.

You add them by opening the Visualizations pane menu and selecting 'Get more visuals'.

Remember to check permissions if custom visuals do not appear or work.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using custom visuals from the Power BI marketplace?

easy

A. To create data tables without any visuals

B. To replace all default visuals permanently

C. To export data to Excel automatically

D. To add new and unique ways to display data beyond default charts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand default visuals in Power BI

   Power BI offers standard charts like bar, line, and pie charts by default.

2. Step 2: Role of custom visuals

   Custom visuals from the marketplace provide additional, unique ways to show data that default visuals don't offer.

3. Final Answer:

   To add new and unique ways to display data beyond default charts -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Custom visuals = new display options [OK]

Hint: Custom visuals extend default charts with new display types [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking custom visuals replace default visuals permanently
• Confusing custom visuals with data export features
• Assuming custom visuals create data tables only

2. Which of the following is the correct way to add a custom visual from the Power BI marketplace?

easy

A. Right-click on a chart and choose 'Convert to custom visual'

B. Download visuals from an external website and import manually without Power BI

C. Click on the 'Get more visuals' icon in the Visualizations pane and select a visual

D. Use the 'Export' option in the File menu

Solution

1. Step 1: Locate the Visualizations pane in Power BI

   The Visualizations pane has an icon to get more visuals from the marketplace.

2. Step 2: Use 'Get more visuals' to browse and add

   Clicking this icon opens the marketplace where you can select and add custom visuals directly.

3. Final Answer:

   Click on the 'Get more visuals' icon in the Visualizations pane and select a visual -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Marketplace visuals added via 'Get more visuals' [OK]

Hint: Use 'Get more visuals' icon inside Power BI to add custom visuals [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to convert default charts to custom visuals directly
• Downloading visuals outside Power BI without import
• Looking for export options to add visuals

3. You added a custom visual from the marketplace to your report. What will happen if you share this report with someone who does not have that custom visual installed?

medium

A. The visual will show as a blank or error icon

B. The visual will display correctly without any issue

C. The report will not open at all

D. The visual will convert automatically to a default chart

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand custom visual dependencies

   Custom visuals require the receiving user to have the visual installed or supported in their Power BI environment.

2. Step 2: Behavior when visual is missing

   If the visual is missing, Power BI cannot render it, so it shows a blank or error icon instead.

3. Final Answer:

   The visual will show as a blank or error icon -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Missing custom visual = blank/error icon [OK]

Hint: Missing custom visual shows blank or error icon [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming visuals convert automatically to default charts
• Thinking report won't open at all
• Believing visuals always display correctly without installation

4. You tried to add a custom visual from the marketplace but received an error saying the visual is not certified. What should you do to fix this?

medium

A. Delete all visuals and start a new report

B. Check if the visual is certified and consider using a certified alternative

C. Restart Power BI to clear the error

D. Ignore the error and continue using the visual anyway

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand certification in Power BI visuals

   Certified visuals have passed Microsoft checks for security and quality; uncertified ones may cause issues.

2. Step 2: Respond to certification error

   It's best to check certification status and choose a certified visual to avoid risks and errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Check if the visual is certified and consider using a certified alternative -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Certification error = use certified visual [OK]

Hint: Use certified visuals to avoid errors and security risks [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring certification warnings
• Restarting Power BI without fixing the issue
• Deleting visuals unnecessarily

5. You want to create a sales report that uses a custom visual to show product sales by region with interactive filters. Which steps should you follow to achieve this?

hard

A. Add the custom visual from the marketplace, connect it to sales and region data, then add slicers for filtering

B. Create a table visual, export data to Excel, and use Excel filters

C. Use only default visuals and avoid custom visuals for interactivity

D. Import data into PowerPoint and add charts manually

Solution

1. Step 1: Add custom visual from marketplace

   Use the 'Get more visuals' option to add the desired custom visual to your report.

2. Step 2: Connect visual to sales and region data

   Bind the custom visual fields to your sales and region columns to display relevant data.

3. Step 3: Add slicers for interactive filtering

   Add slicer visuals to let users filter the report by region or other criteria interactively.

4. Final Answer:

   Add the custom visual from the marketplace, connect it to sales and region data, then add slicers for filtering -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Custom visual + data + slicers = interactive report [OK]

Hint: Add visual, connect data fields, then add slicers for interactivity [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Exporting data instead of using visuals
• Avoiding custom visuals for interactivity
• Using unrelated tools like PowerPoint