Tooltips & Annotations

Tooltips and annotations help users understand data without cluttering the report with too many labels or visuals.

Default Tooltips

• When you hover over a data point, Power BI automatically shows a tooltip • Default tooltip shows the values of the fields used in the visual • You can add extra fields to the Tooltips well in the Visualizations pane

Adding Fields to Tooltip:

1. Select a visual
2. In the Visualizations pane, find the Tooltips well
3. Drag additional fields into it
4. These values appear when hovering over data points

Custom Tooltip Pages (Report Page Tooltips)

Create a dedicated report page that appears as a rich, interactive tooltip when hovering over data points.

Steps to Create a Custom Tooltip Page:

1. Add a new page → name it (e.g., "Sales Tooltip")
2. In Format → Page information → Toggle Allow use as tooltip to On
3. Set the Page size to Tooltip (preset) for proper dimensions
4. Design the tooltip page with mini-visuals (cards, charts, etc.)
5. On other pages, select a visual → Format → Tooltip
6. Set Type to Report Page → Select your tooltip page

Tips for Tooltip Pages: • Keep tooltip pages small and focused (320 x 240 px default) • Use Cards and small charts — avoid complex visuals • Show complementary data not visible in the main visual • Add a title so users understand the context

Annotations & Comments

Text Boxes: • Insert → Text box → Type any text • Use for titles, descriptions, explanations, or notes • Format with font styles, sizes, colors, and alignment • Can include hyperlinks

Images: • Insert → Image → Upload logos, diagrams, or icons • Use for branding (company logo on every page) • Add reference images or process diagrams

Shapes: • Insert → Shapes → Rectangles, circles, lines, arrows • Use as backgrounds, dividers, or highlight areas • Layer shapes behind visuals for design effects

Buttons & Actions

Add interactive buttons for navigation and user engagement:

Creating a Button:

1. Insert → Buttons → Choose type
2. In Format, set the Action (destination, bookmark, URL)
3. Customize text, icon, fill color, border
4. Users click the button to trigger the action

Best Practices

• Use default tooltips for quick data — add 2-3 extra fields max • Use report page tooltips for rich context without navigating away • Add text boxes sparingly for important notes or section headers • Use shapes as design elements for a polished, professional look • Always include back buttons on drill-through pages