Power BI Visuals: Tables, Cards, Charts and Slicers

Power BI lesson 2

Visuals answer different questions. Tables show detail, cards highlight one number, charts compare or show change, and slicers let a reader filter.

Build a first report

1. Load the SalesPractice table from lesson 1.
2. Add a Table visual and place Product, Region and Amount into it.
3. Add a Card and use Sum of Amount for a headline total.
4. Add a clustered column chart with Product as the category and Sum of Amount as the value.
5. Add a slicer using Region.

Choose the right visual

Use a line chart for values over time, a bar chart for category comparison, a card for one KPI, and a table when exact rows matter. Avoid decorative charts that do not answer a question.

How filtering works

Selecting East in the Region slicer changes the other visuals to show only East rows. A visual can also cross-filter another visual when you click a bar or point.

Formatting checklist

• Give every visual a meaningful title.
• Use readable number formats such as currency.
• Keep similar colors for the same meaning.
• Leave enough space and remove unnecessary borders.

Practice

Add a second slicer for Product. Change the chart to a line chart using Date. Write one sentence describing the decision your report helps with.

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