Power BI’s native visuals cover most reporting needs, but as your projects become more complex, you may find that the standard options don’t always meet your requirements. This is where the AppSource marketplace fills an important role by offering a wide variety of custom visuals developed by third-party providers. These visuals can expand your Power BI reports with advanced and specialised visualisation types.
While this increased flexibility is a fantastic feature, there are some critical drawbacks to think about before using a third party visual in one of your reports.
In this blog, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using imported visuals from AppSource.
What are Imported Visuals?
Imported visuals are custom Power BI visuals that can be added to your reports from the Microsoft AppSource marketplace. Created by third-party developers, these visuals allow Power BI users to add more advanced or niche visualisation options that go beyond the default charts and graphs.
Positives of Using Imported Visuals from AppSource
- Expanded Visualisation Options
Imported visuals give you the flexibility to represent your data in ways that standard Power BI visuals can’t. - Industry-Specific Solutions
Many imported visuals are tailored for specific industries or use cases. Zebra BI, for instance, is well-suited for finance professionals looking to create IBCS-compliant charts for financial KPIs. The ability to customise visuals for your industry-specific needs can save time and improve reporting accuracy. - Pre-Built Functionality
Custom visuals often come with advanced pre-built functionality, making it easier to accomplish complex tasks without having to develop intricate workarounds in DAX or Power Query. This can be a significant time-saver, especially in complex reports.
Negatives of Using Imported Visuals from AppSource
- Licensing
While many custom visuals are free or have limited free versions, most advanced features are locked behind a licensing fee. Oftentimes, this will be obscured while developing a report locally but blur the visual once it has been published to the business. - Potential Performance Issues
Unlike native visuals, which are optimised for performance within Power BI, imported visuals can sometimes slow down report performance, particularly when handling large datasets. - Limited Support and Maintenance
Since imported visuals are developed by third parties, ongoing support and updates depend on the developer. - Dependency on Third-Party Providers
By relying on third-party visuals, you’re placing a dependency on external developers. If a visual is discontinued or stops receiving updates, you may be forced to redesign your reports.
When Should You Use Imported Visuals?
- When Native Visuals Don’t Meet Your Needs: If your reporting requirements go beyond what Power BI’s native visuals can handle, imported visuals can offer the advanced functionality you need.
- When You Need to Simplify Complex Data: Custom visuals like Zebra BI can take complex datasets and distil them into clear, actionable insights. This is particularly useful for executive dashboards where the presentation and clarity of data are crucial.
- When User Engagement is Key: If your audience demands visually compelling reports, imported visuals can elevate your design with more interactive and visually striking elements.
When Should You Be Cautious?
- When Licensing Costs Are a Concern: If your budget is tight, consider the cost implications of using licensed visuals.
- When Performance is Critical: Imported visuals, while powerful, can sometimes slow down reports, especially with large datasets. If performance is a top priority for your report, carefully evaluate how the custom visual impacts loading and interaction times.
- If Long-Term Support is Uncertain: If you’re creating reports that need to last long-term, be cautious about relying on custom visuals that may not be consistently updated. Stick to well-established providers like Zebra BI, who offer strong ongoing support.
Conclusion
Imported visuals from AppSource can significantly extend the capabilities of Power BI, providing unique visualisation options. However, the primary drawback to consider is licensing—many of these visuals require a paid subscription to unlock their full features, which can increase costs over time.
In addition, while custom visuals can make your reports more engaging and functional, be aware of potential performance hits and the reliance on third-party developers for updates and support. Before committing to any imported visual, carefully weigh the benefits against the costs and potential risks to ensure you’re making the best decision for your Power BI projects.