How to conditionally format visuals in Power BI?

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Do you know that you can apply conditional formatting rules to visuals in Power BI? In this post, let’s learn how to conditionally format visuals in Power BI. Something like this:

How to conditionally format visuals in Power BI

To conditional format charts in Power BI, follow below instructions.

  1. Select the visual you want to apply formatting rules.
  2. Go to Format pane and click on “Data colors”.
  3. When you hover on the label “Default color”, you notice three dots. Click on them to activate “Conditional format” screen.
Activating conditional formatting feature from data colors - demo
  1. Here you can define a rule for coloring the chart. There are 3 types of conditional formats (as of writing this post in last week of July, 2019). They are,
    1. Color scales
    2. Rules
    3. Field value

Color scales:

As the name suggests, this will create a continuous color scale from minimum to maximum value. You can opt for diverging scale to include a midpoint color too. I am not a big fan of this for normal charts (although I do use it on tables / matrix visuals).

Color scale rule for conditional formatting in visuals - demo

Rules:

This gives you flexibility to define a rule based logic for coloring. You can write rules to color chart elements based on number or item rules. See this example to understand how to set up a rule to highlight all cities where “Quantity per Transaction” is less than 8.2 in different color.

Adding rule based conditional formatting - example
Sample rules in Power BI visual conditional formatting

This is how our final chart would look:

Final output of conditional formatting based on rules
Demo of Conditional Formatting in Power BI based on rules

Field Value:

You can also write a measure (or have a table field) that returns HEX code (or RGB code) for the color you want to use for each chart element. If you have such a measure, you can use Field value based rules to set them. For example, you can create a measure like [Column Color] and link it.

[Column Color] = IF([Quantity per Transaction]>8.2, "#999999", "#c82222")

When you link this [Column Color] measure to the chart on Field value rule, your columns will be either of those colors (#999999 or #c82222) based on the [Quantity per Transaction] for each item in the chart.

How to make rules based on dynamic values?

As of now, the conditional formatting in Power BI only accepts rules based on fixed (hardcoded) values. But we can create an intermediate measure to overcome this limitation. For example, we can create a measure like this:

[Rule outcome for highlighting] = IF([Quantity per Transaction] > [QpT Target], 1, 0)

We can then use [Rule outcome for highlighting] in the rules and color based on the fixed values of 0 or 1.

How to conditionally format visuals in Power BI – Video tutorial

If you are still confused or need some guidance, please watch this 10 minute video. It explains all 3 types of conditional formatting with examples. Watch the video below or on our YouTube Channel.

Download Sample Workbook – Conditional formatting in Power BI

Please download the sample file for this tutorial here. You can see a demo of all three types of rules. Feel free to examine the data model, measures or create something on your own to learn how it all works.

Learn more about conditional formatting in Power BI:

Microsoft has been enhancing conditional formatting feature in Power BI over time. Just recently (in July 2019 release) they have launched support for icon rules (similar to Excel conditional formatting icons) for tables & matrix visuals. Learn more about conditional formatting in Power BI by reading Power BI docs.

More Power BI examples & tutorials:

Do you use conditional formatting in Power BI?

I have been using CF more often in my Power BI training / work as it is a powerful way to highlight important information without cluttering your reports.

What about you? Have you toyed with conditional formatting in Power BI? Got any interesting tips to share? Please post them in the comments.

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27 Responses to “How to Embed Youtube videos in to Excel Workbooks?”

  1. Vlad says:

    Thank you!!
    The trick is to get that URL for video. Some videos have this feature disabled... hmm...

  2. Fred says:

    very cool. how did you record what you do on Excel? it didn't seem like you was using a camcorders.

  3. Robert says:

    This is a great tip. Is it possible to insert a PDF on an excel worksheet? I usually receive quotations in pdf format, and would like to show the quote on a worksheet, rather than using hyperlinks. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

  4. Gregory says:

    Your instructions didn't work for me, ether in Excel 2010 or 2007, and I tried several times, following the instructions very carefully and to the letter.

    What I found out is that, for some odd reason, copying the YouTube URL then adding the ?fs=1&hl=en_US to the end would not work at all for me.

    But if I went to the Embed code in YouTube and copied value parameter (minus quotes) and pasted it into the movie property, the movie would play. The Embed code value parameter includes the link and the extra bit you included at the end. No need to copy that as an extra step.

    • West says:

      Best feedback on here. Worked like a charm after removing extra YT code. Thanks..

    • Sonu says:

      @Gregory,
      Thanks your instructions.
      I have carefully followed the Instructions mentioned by you and still i am unable to do embed the video in excel.
       
      Please help and your immedate reply will be higly appreceiable.
       
      Regards
      Sonu Monga
      A Chartered Accountant
       

      • HARSHUL says:

        If you are using excel 2010 or higher. then there is nothing like Shockwave flash player.
        In that case you have to use windows media player.
        There is a control naming Windows Media Player in that list.
        Insert that contol and then open properties and insert link in URL.
        It will work.

    • Sonu says:

      @Gregory,
      Thanks your instructions.
      I have carefully followed the Instructions mentioned by you and still i am unable to do embed the video in excel.
       
      Please help and your immedate reply will be higly appreceiable.
       
      Regards
      Sonu Monga
      Chartered Accountant

  5. vlad says:

    It wouldn't play because you need to indicate the exact location of flash file....by 'Embedding' the file, you get the the exact URL, so it can be played....some videos can't be 'embedded' that's why it won't work....

  6. Jason says:

    My developer tools does not list a control for "Shockwave flash object". Where/How do I find it?

  7. modeste says:

    Hi Chandoo,

    why don't use OCX Window media player ???
    you can play your own local video or music
    just indicate exact location (Full path or URL)
    i.e :
    C:\Users\Public\Music\Sample Music\Kalimba.mp3
    C:\Users\Public\Videos\Sample Videos\Wildlife.wmv

    with macro and userform :
    Sub PlayMedia()
    On Error Resume Next
    UserForm1.WindowsMediaPlayer1.URL = ThisWorkbook.Path & "/" & ActiveCell.Value
    ' ----- or
    ' ----- UserForm1.WindowsMediaPlayer1.URL = Exact location
    End Sub

  8. Very cool. I also could not get the instructions to work, but was able to use Gregory's suggestion about the embed code. Thanks for posting!

  9. Maria says:

    Thanks Chandoo. This is very cool. I was able to make it work using the embed code copying from http: up to _US as you indicated. This is a great way to provide additional training or message as you package your deliverable.

  10. [...] Trying to become a bit flashier with your dashboards? Maybe you’re just looking to include additional material. Take a look at this quick tool to embed YouTube videos in excel workbooks. [...]

  11. Clarity says:

    Hi Chandoo,

    Excellent tip. Very useful.

    Is there anyway to link the path in the properties to a cell value so that the user can select the video from a drop down and then have the video play?

  12. Nav says:

    nothing happend in Embed Youtube videos in to Excel Workbooks, it shows only white blank screen.

  13. nihal says:

    Hi Chandoo, How Do I put more than one URL in movie field?

  14. Steve says:

    Hi Chandoo,
    very good tip.
    But how do I start the embeded video in an xlsm file once the tab is selected or through VBA programming?
    Appreciating your answer
    Steve

  15. KAMALAKAR says:

    Query:
    I have created 4 sheets excel file, but when i print this file to PDF it generates two sheets one PDF and two Sheets one PDF … can i know the setting which i had to change. because i want all 4 sheets in one PDF
    while Printing i did setting as "Print Entire Workbook"
    Awaiting for your reply.

  16. Brent says:

    Help!! THis works great, but I'm trying to use VBA to change the URL, which I can do. The problem I am having is getting it to play via VBA.

    The object has both .play and .playing = true properties, but neither will actually play the video after updating the .movie url. The correct video appears within the object, but I can't get it to play from VBA... which I really need it to do.. Thoughts?

  17. biljo says:

    Hello

    Go to Developerr tab and select more control then find windows media player just click it.

    after that you have to right click on the embeded object and select properties there you need to add your video file path.(dont forget to include extension like .avi, .mov etc.) in URL field. Then Press Alt+11 and deselct design mode. Once you close the module your video start playing.....

  18. Rob G says:

    For the life of me, I cannot get this to work. I have followed Chandoos instructions to the letter and also tried using the embed code as Gregory suggested, all I get is a blank white box where the video should be. Is there any other reason that this might not work? Flash version perhaps? Quite frustrating.

  19. Mark says:

    Hi I was wondering if was a way after adding a video if one could save to HTML format and it would work?

  20. Yatin says:

    Hi Chandoo,
    This is very helpful, however, is there a way to auto-play the embedded youtube video as soon as somebody opens the excel file? Can you share the macro for the same?

  21. nonsofar13 says:

    Hi,

    Very cool, how is it possible to start automatically the video when the excel sheet is open?

    I would like to start the video when i open the worksheet :).

    Best regards.

  22. Yasser says:

    Hello
    When trying this method, I got Flash-embedded videos are no longer supported. Is there a solution for this problem?

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