How can I create a custom visual that allows user input

Question

How can I create a custom visual that allows user input?
I’m building an interactive Power BI report where users need to input values (e.g., what-if scenarios or manual overrides) directly into the report. Since native visuals don’t support direct input, what is the best way to enable this functionality—either through Power Apps integration or custom visuals—and ensure that the inputs can be used in DAX calculations or visual filters?

score 0 · Answer 1 · 4 days

Actually, a native way of allowing user inputs to your Power BI report as what-if scenarios or manual overrides is embedding Power Apps directly into the report. While native Power BI visuals wouldn't allow direct data entry, Power Apps offers users a really seamless way to input values that can be written back to a database and refer dynamically to values associated with your visuals and DAX logic.

Here's how to go about it:

Embed a Power Apps Visual: Add the Power Apps visual from the Visualizations pane and connect it to the table that holds user input fields. Use Power Apps Studio to design a form or interface for user entry. Store and Read inputs in the app to save inputs to a connected data source (e.g., SharePoint, Dataverse, SQL). Then, use a scheduled or manual data refresh, using DirectQuery mode if supported, to bring input back into Power BI for measures and filters.

Use DAX to Incorporate Inputs: When the input data are available in your model, design DAX measures to model user values into your dynamic KPI, visuals, or what-if scenarios.

This will bring a level of interaction much more than Power BI usually embraces in a secure, scalable environment. It is perfect for budgeting for, recasting, or user-driven simulation cases.