Contents

1 Download the Example File
2 What Are Bookmarks in Power BI?
3 What Are Buttons in Power BI?
4 Step-by-Step: Creating Interactive Navigation with Bookmarks and Buttons
5 Practical Applications
6 Advanced Tips
7 Common Pitfalls
8 Conclusion

What if your Power BI dashboard could adapt to each user – showing exactly the view they need, right when they need it?

With bookmarks and buttons, you can transform a static report into an interactive experience.

Users can switch between visuals, reveal hidden insights, or move between pages – all without leaving the dashboard.

Bookmarks and buttons in Power BI work together to guide how users navigate and interact with reports.

In this article, you’ll learn what bookmarks and buttons are, how to create them step-by-step, and how to apply them in practical scenarios.

You’ll also discover advanced tips for enhancing interactivity and common mistakes to avoid.

A free PBIX file is included so you can follow along!

Download the Example File

To get started, download the PBIX file provided with this guide here.

It contains a sample dataset and pre-built visuals so you can focus on learning the bookmark and button process without setting up data from scratch.

This example was created and tested in the latest version of Power BI Desktop.

What Are Bookmarks in Power BI?

A bookmark saves the current view of a report, capturing which visuals are displayed, how filters are applied, and where elements are placed.

This allows you to return to that exact state with a single click.

What Are Buttons in Power BI?

Buttons are clickable elements that perform actions when selected.

They can trigger bookmarks, navigate to report pages, or launch drill-through views.

In the sample file, a “View Details” button reveals additional metrics hidden from the main dashboard, keeping the initial view clean and focused while still making deeper insights accessible.

Trainer Insight: One of the most effective uses of bookmarks and buttons is toggling between summary and detailed views.

For example, a sales dashboard can default to monthly totals, but with one click, a user can drill into regional or product-level performance without leaving the page.

Step-by-Step: Creating Interactive Navigation with Bookmarks and Buttons

1. Set Up the Visuals

Create the visuals you want users to switch between.

Here we have a monthly and a quarterly view, created using a date slicer.

You can place them in the same report area and control their visibility, or build them on separate pages for different levels of detail.

2. Add and Save Bookmarks

Open the Bookmarks Pane from the View tab.

Arrange your visuals exactly how you want them for your first bookmark, then click “Add.”

Rename the bookmark clearly, such as “Monthly View” or “Quarterly View.” Repeat for each state you need.

3. Insert Buttons

Go to the Insert tab and select a button type. In the Format pane, enable Action, set the Type to Bookmark, and select the desired bookmark.

4. Style the Buttons

Make your buttons easy to identify and consistent with your dashboard’s branding. Adjust text size, background color, and hover states so users can see they’re clickable.

5. Test and Refine

Click each button to confirm it triggers the correct bookmark. If visuals or filters don’t display as expected, update the bookmark after making changes.

Practical Applications

Bookmarks and buttons are perfect for creating a dashboard that can switch between a summary view and a detailed drill-down, swap chart types, or guide users through a pre-defined data story.

Advanced Tips

Pair bookmarks with the Selection Pane to control multiple visuals in the same space.

Trainer Insight: In our Power BI training courses, we often see how bookmarks and buttons can take a report from “static” to “strategic.”

They’re not just about making dashboards look slick – they allow you to create role-specific views, step-by-step guided analysis, and interactive storytelling without overwhelming the user with too much information at once.

By combining them with the Selection Pane, you can hide or reveal visuals dynamically, helping each audience segment get exactly the insight they need, right when they need it.

Use images as buttons for a branded look, or link buttons to other report pages for multipage navigation.

Common Pitfalls

Trainer Insight: A common pitfall with bookmarks is forgetting to update them after changing your visuals or filters.

If you don’t refresh the bookmark state, users may see outdated data or layouts that no longer match your intended design.

Also, try and avoid adding too many buttons, and always make sure labels match the action!

Conclusion

Bookmarks and buttons can turn static Power BI reports into dynamic, user-friendly tools.

They allow you to control the flow of information, guide exploration, and keep your dashboards both engaging and clean.

Download the PBIX file and test the techniques yourself. For more, check Microsoft’s documentation on Bookmarks and Buttons.

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