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Power BI Desktop now officially supports dark mode as of 2024, a feature that many users have been waiting for. This update brings a sleek and modern look to the interface, offering a more comfortable viewing experience, especially for those who spend long hours working on reports. You can now easily switch between light and dark themes, or even set it to match your system’s default theme, directly from the settings menu.
Dark mode in Power BI isn’t just about aesthetics—it also improves accessibility and reduces eye strain, making it easier to focus on your work, especially in low-light environments. The update aligns Power BI with other Microsoft applications like Teams and Outlook, ensuring a consistent experience across platforms. If you’ve been waiting for this feature, now is the perfect time to give it a try and customize your workspace to suit your preferences.
What is Power BI Dark Mode?
Dark mode is a color scheme that uses light-colored text, icons, and graphical elements on a dark background. It’s designed to reduce eye strain, especially in low-light conditions, and provides a sleek, modern look. Dark theme in Power BI, released on September 17, 2024, brings a much-needed aesthetic update to the platform, improving user experience and accessibility.
While this feature changes most of the Power BI interface, like the data pane, visualization pane, data model view, and home tab views, it does not affect the canvas or filter pane. This choice maintains the flexibility of the workspace for different visualization needs.
Why Was Power BI Dark Mode Highly Anticipated?
Many users were eager for the dark feature in Power BI, and for good reasons. Let’s explore some of the key benefits:
1. Improved User Comfort
Dark mode helps reduce eye strain, especially for those who spend long hours working with Power BI reports and dashboards. It’s particularly beneficial in dimly lit environments, offering a softer contrast to traditional bright white backgrounds.
2. Aesthetic Appeal
Dark mode offers a modern and professional look, enhancing the overall feel of the Power BI interface. It aligns with the dark mode themes available in other Microsoft applications like Teams, Outlook, and Office, creating a consistent experience across the Microsoft ecosystem.
3. Energy Efficiency
For devices with OLED or AMOLED screens, dark mode can save battery life. This is because dark pixels consume less power than bright ones, making it a more energy-efficient option for mobile users.
4. Accessibility
Users with light sensitivity or certain visual impairments find dark mode easier to read. It can make text more legible and reduce glare, which is especially helpful for people with dyslexia or other reading difficulties.
How to Enable Power BI Dark Mode
There are two primary ways to enable dark mode in Power BI:
Method 1: Using the Pop-Up Notification
When you open Power BI after the update, you might see a pop-up notification prompting you to switch to dark mode. If you choose this option, Power BI will automatically switch to the dark theme. This pop up notification appeared randomly on after opening Power BI Desktop during the day. It may be different on user location, device or the Power BI version that you are running!
Method 2: Via the Settings Menu
If you don’t see the pop-up, you can enable dark mode manually:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Report Settings.
- Choose Customize Appearance.
- Select from the available options: Legacy Colors, Dark, Light, or System Default.
Here’s a quick summary table:
| Setting | Effect |
|---|---|
| Legacy Colors | Retains the original Power BI colors |
| Dark | Activates the new dark mode |
| Light | Standard light mode (default) |
| System Default | Follows the system’s default theme |
What Areas of Power BI Are Affected by Dark Mode?
Areas Enhanced by Dark Mode
The dark mode theme in Power BI affects several key areas:
- Data Pane: Applies a dark theme for improved contrast.
- Visualization Pane: Changes the color scheme for all visualization tools.
- Data Model View: Provides a consistent dark background.
- Home Tab Views: Applies the dark mode to all home tab views for a unified look.
- Power Query: This dark mode Power BI Desktop feature really helps when transforming your data
Areas Not Affected by Dark Mode
- Canvas and Filter Pane: Currently, these areas remain in the default light mode. This decision helps maintain flexibility for different visualization needs.
Benefits of Power BI Dark Mode
Using dark mode in Power BI offers numerous advantages:
- Enhanced Focus and Productivity: The dark theme helps you stay focused by reducing visual distractions.
- Reduced Eye Strain: Especially useful for those working in low-light environments.
- Customization and Flexibility: You can easily switch between themes (dark, light, legacy, system default) based on your preference.
Common Issues with Power BI Dark Mode
While dark mode is a great addition, there are some current limitations:
Visibility Problems in Advanced Filtering Options
Some users have reported issues with the advanced filtering options not being visible when dark mode is enabled. This problem can affect the workflow and data analysis process. However, Microsoft is aware of these issues and is likely to address them in future updates.
Potential Workarounds for Visibility Issues
If you encounter visibility problems, consider the following workarounds:
- Temporarily switch back to light mode while using advanced filters.
- Use high contrast mode as an alternative, if available.
How Does the Dark Mode Compare to Other Microsoft Applications?
Consistency Across the Microsoft Ecosystem
Dark mode in Power BI aligns with similar features in other Microsoft apps, such as Teams, Outlook, and Office, ensuring a cohesive user experience.
Differences in Dark Mode Implementation
However, unlike some applications where dark mode affects all elements, Power BI’s dark mode does not currently affect the canvas and filter pane. This selective implementation may change based on user feedback.
How to Customize Your Power BI Experience with Themes
You can customize Power BI using the available theme options:
- Dark: For a modern look and reduced eye strain.
- Light: The traditional theme for those who prefer a brighter workspace.
- Legacy Colors: Retains the original Power BI color scheme.
- System Default: Adapts to your operating system’s settings.
Pros and Cons of Each Theme
| Theme | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Dark | Reduces eye strain, modern look | Visibility issues with certain elements |
| Light | Familiar and default setting | May cause eye strain in low-light environments |
| Legacy Colors | Original Power BI experience | Lacks the modern appeal of dark mode |
| System Default | Automatically matches OS settings | Less control over the appearance |
Other Options to Use Dark Mode for Visuals and Canvas Background
If you want to apply a dark theme to visuals or canvas backgrounds, you can use several methods, though they require some setup:
- Disconnected Table or Measures: Create a table or measures that allow switching between light and dark themes manually.
- Switch Values or Bookmarks: Use bookmarks to toggle between different themes. This requires more time and logic to set up but offers greater customization.
These methods are not optimal for every user due to the complexity and time required, but they provide alternatives until a full dark mode is available across all elements.
Check out my article on dark themes which explains how you can find dark themed color palettes and how to implement it in Power BI:
Limitations Power BI Desktop Dark Mode 2024
As of 2024, the previous issues with the August version of Power BI have been resolved, and dark mode is now officially available. You can easily choose your preferred theme, whether it’s dark, light, or system default, directly from the settings. However, some testing is still recommended to ensure that no filters or visuals are negatively impacted by the dark mode update. While the dark theme greatly improves the user experience, it’s always good to check how it interacts with your specific reports and layouts to avoid any surprises.
FAQs Power BI Dark Mode
Here’s what I know:
- Can dark mode be scheduled to turn on/off?
Not currently. Users need to switch manually via settings. - Does the dark mode affect visuals and the color theme?
No, the colors of visuals and the color theme remain the same. Only the data pane, visualization pane the pane on top and the data model are affected. - Is dark mode available for all versions of Power BI?
It should be available for the latest version (September 2024), but some users have reported it missing. - Does dark mode affect data processing or performance?
No, dark mode is purely a visual change and does not impact the performance. - How does dark mode impact accessibility features?
It enhances readability for some users but may present challenges for others due to visibility issues.
Conclusion
Power BI dark mode is a welcome feature that brings many advantages, from reducing eye strain to enhancing the overall user experience. While there are some initial teething problems, Microsoft is expected to resolve them in future updates. Try out dark mode today to see how it can enhance your Power BI experience, and stay tuned for further improvements!
Your thoughts:
What do you think about Power BI dark mode? Share your experiences in the comments! For more Power BI tips, check out our other blog posts or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
More on color themes and dark modes in my related blog posts:
Interested to see some more interesting Power BI use cases?
Check out my sales dashboard use case below!
