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Drill vs Highlight in Power BI: Why Drill Should Be the Default and steps to implement

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By default, Power BI sets visual interactions to Highlight, which emphasizes a selected portion while keeping the rest of the data visible. While this may look visually appealing, Drill or Filter interactions are often more practical and insightful for detailed analysis. This blog explores the differences, when to use each, and why you should consider setting Drill as the default interaction for your Power BI reports.



Default Behavior: Highlight vs Drill

Highlight is the default interaction in Power BI. It emphasizes the selected data point while dimming the rest. Though modern and sleek, Highlight may not always provide clear insights and can sometimes distract from the core analysis.

Drill, on the other hand, focuses the view on selected data points, eliminating unrelated data. This approach is more effective for in-depth exploration and cleaner visual storytelling.


How to Set Drill as the Default Interaction


  1. Go to Report Settings:

    • Click File → Options and Settings → Options.


  2. Select Current File Settings:

    • Navigate to the Report Settings section under Current File. (Avoid confusion with the Global Report Settings, which don’t apply here.)


  3. Change Default Interaction:

    • Under Visual Options, find the setting labeled Change default visual interaction.

    • Switch from Cross Highlighting to Cross Filtering to make Drill the default.



Refining Interactions for Specific Charts


If you only need to modify interactions for a few specific visuals:


  1. Select the Chart:

    • In your report, click the visual you want to modify.

  2. Use the Format Pane:

    • At the top center of the Power BI window, go to the Format pane.


  3. Edit Interactions:

    • Click Edit Interactions.

    • Adjust the interaction for other visuals using the icons in the top-right or bottom-right of the selected visual:

      • Drill (Filter): Removes unrelated data from other visuals.

      • Highlight: Emphasizes the selected portion.

      • None: Makes the selected visual have no effect on other visuals.


Bonus: The None option is particularly useful when you want certain visuals to remain unaffected by filters or interactions applied to others.



When to Use Highlight


While Highlight is not redundant, it has specific use cases:

  • Bar Charts (With Few Categories): Highlighting is especially useful here to show how much a specific portion contributes to the total capacity.

  • Interactive Presentations: When the goal is to demonstrate proportions dynamically.


Note: Highlighting in pie or donut charts is often unnecessary, as these visuals inherently show proportions.



Why Drill is Superior for Analysis

Drill or Filter interactions provide:

  • Clearer Insights: Focus on relevant data without distractions.

  • Better Data Exploration: Dive deeper into specific categories or data points.

  • Enhanced User Experience: Simplifies visuals, making them more intuitive.


PS - On comments section below, please let me know if you disagree and why?



Conclusion


While Highlight offers a modern, interactive touch, Drill interactions are more practical for most analytical purposes. Setting Drill as the default ensures clarity and consistency across your Power BI reports. When needed, refine interactions for specific visuals using the Edit Interactions option to cater to unique use cases.


By mastering these settings, you can create tailored, effective reports that balance functionality with aesthetics, ultimately enhancing your data storytelling.

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