Navigating PowerBI (“PAIRS” or “EM”) Dashboards on the PDR

How to export, view, create bookmarks, filter, sort, and find definitions in PowerBI dashboards.

On the Platteville Data Repository (PDR), there are a variety of dashboards available to UW-Platteville users that are built in different data visualization tools such as PowerBI or Tableau. The PAIRS dashboards that have been migrated from OBIEE to utilize the new data warehouse are created in the Microsoft tool PowerBI. Any dashboard links prefixed by “PAIRS” or “EM” will have the following options.

Exporting a Dashboard Visual to Excel

1. Select your desired filter and sorting settings in a table or visual in the dashboard.
2. Hover your cursor over the table or visual you would like to export until four icons appear in the upper left corner. Click the three dots (…) and a menu will appear.
3. Click Export data in the menu that appears
   
4. Select Data with current layout and then click the Export button
   
5. Note that an Export button does appear in the Action Bar of the dashboard. This is NOT the option you should use to export to Excel. The Action Bar option will allow for Exporting to Powerpoint or PDF.

Exporting Dashboard Pages to PowerPoint or PDF

1. In the Action Bar of any dashboard, click the Export drop-down button
2. Choose PowerPoint or PDF
   1. The PDF option will create a PDF of the entire dashboard page displayed. Note that this may need some cropping.
   2. The PowerPoint option will export a .pptx file with image(s) of the pages selected in the export options.
      

 

Easier Viewing Options

1. You can full screen the dashboard using the rectangle icon on the left side of the Action Bar and clicking Full screen
2. You can also expand the size of any dashboard visual with Focus Mode. Hover your cursor over the visual in question until four icons appear in the upper right corner, then click the Focus Mode button.
   

 

Creating Bookmarks

Personal Bookmarks can be saved so that you can return to filter and sorting settings in the future.

1. Set your filter and sorting options as you would like to save them.
2. Click the ribbon icon in the Action Bar on the right side and then click Add a personal bookmark
3. Type in a name for the Bookmark. You can also check Make default view to have the dashboard display this filter and sorting configuration whenever you return to the dashboard.
4. Select Save.
   
5. You can then access your saved Bookmarks through clicking the same ribbon icon once it has been saved.
   

 

Reset Filter and Sorting Configuration to Default

If you have made changes to filtering and sorting options, you can click the green arrow icon that appears in the right side of the Action Bar to reset all display settings to default.

 

Include or Exclude Columns from a Table in a Dashboard

PAIRS Dashboards may have a Select Columns filter which will let you include/exclude columns in the main table visual. Select or deselect the columns in the drop-down as desired to include/exclude. The table will have to reload every time you change the included columns.

 

Accessing Data Definitions

PAIRS uses the data governance tool Collibra to document our data definitions and data lineage. As part of our OBIEE Migration process, the Collibra environment is currently being built out and developed. If you cannot find the definition you are seeking in Collibra, submit a General Inquiry form to get in contact with PAIRS as it may not yet have been migrated.

Viewing Definitions for a Particular Dashboard in Collibra

1. PAIRS Dashboards will include an introductory Notes page which will include information about the dashboard and navigation buttons. A Definitions (External Link) button will appear at the end of the Navigation buttons. Click this button to open the relevant Collibra webpage in a new tab.
2. Log in with your uwplatt credentials when prompted.
3. The Collibra page for a particular dashboard will include a description and user definitions for the terms used within that dashboard.
4. Click the Wrap Text button in the upper right-hand corner of the definitions table to display full definition text.
5. If you do not see a definition for the terminology you are searching for, submit a General Inquiry form to get in contact with PAIRS.

 

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 608.342.1400 or helpdesk@uwplatt.edu.  You may also visit the Help Desk on the first floor of the Karrmann Library.