Question

How can I dynamically adjust column visibility in a paginated report based on user selections?

I am designing a paginated report where certain columns should be shown or hidden dynamically based on user selections, such as parameter values or dataset conditions. What is the best way to implement this functionality using Power BI Report Builder’s visibility settings and expressions?

Answer 1

To dynamically adjust column visibility in a paginated report based on user selections, follow these steps:

1. Use Parameters to Control Visibility

• Create a multi-value parameter (e.g., ColumnsToShow) with available column names.
• Allow users to select which columns to display.

2. Set Column Visibility Using Expressions

• Right-click the column in Power BI Report Builder, go to Column Visibility settings.
• Use an expression like

=IIF("ColumnName" IN Join(Parameters!ColumnsToShow.Value, ","), False, True)  

• This ensures columns are hidden (True) unless selected by the user.

3. Optimize for Performance

• Ensure that hidden columns do not impact report processing by structuring datasets efficiently.
• Use conditional formatting or layout adjustments to handle varying column widths.