Prep 2: Templates

Templates in Power BI Desktop allow you to create reusable report layouts, design elements, and data connections that can be easily applied to new or existing reports. Templates provide a convenient way to standardise the appearance and structure of reports, saving time and ensuring consistency across multiple projects. Here’s how templates work in Power BI Desktop:

Creating a Template:

• Start by designing a report with the desired layout, visuals, and data connections in Power BI Desktop.
• Use Shapes as the scaffolding for your layout or use a tool like Powerpoint or Adobe Photoshop to create a background image that contains the layout you want
• Customise the report’s visualisations, formatting, filters, slicers, and any other elements according to your requirements.
• Once you have configured the report to your satisfaction, go to the “File” tab and select “Save As.”
• Choose “Power BI Template (*.pbit)” as the file type and save the template to your desired location.

Using a Template:

• Open Power BI Desktop and select “File” from the menu.
• Choose “Open” and browse to the location where you saved the template file.
• Select the template file (with the .pbit extension) and click “Open.”
• Power BI Desktop will open a new report based on the template, inheriting its layout, visualisations, and data connections.
• You can then modify the template’s visuals, add additional data sources, or make any other necessary changes to create a customised report.

Applying a Template to an Existing Report:

• Open the report you want to apply the template to in Power BI Desktop.
• Go to the “File” tab and select “Import” > “Power BI Template.”
• Browse to the location where you saved the template file and select it.
• Power BI Desktop will apply the template to the existing report, updating the layout, visuals, and data connections accordingly.
• You can further customise the report or adjust the visuals as needed.

Sharing and Distributing Templates:

• Power BI templates can be shared with others for consistent report design and layout.
• Simply provide the template file (with the .pbit extension) to other users, and they can open it in Power BI Desktop to create new reports based on the template.
• Templates can also be uploaded and shared within an organisation’s Power BI content workspace, making them easily accessible to team members.

Templates in Power BI Desktop offer a streamlined way to create consistent and efficient reports. By leveraging templates, users can save time and effort by reusing predefined report elements, ensuring a standardised look and feel, and accelerating the report development process.