Buttons in Power BI are more than just visual elements they significantly improve how users interact with reports. Adding Back and Reset buttons helps users navigate confidently especially those who may not be familiar with Power BI default navigation options. These buttons reduce friction and make reports easier to explore.
Back Button
The Back button allows users to return to the previously visited report page. This is especially useful in multi-page reports or drill-through scenarios where users often want to return to a summary view.
Steps to Add a Back Button
1. Insert the Button: Go to the Insert tab and select a button. You can choose a built-in Back button or create a custom one.
2. Configure the Action: Select the button and open the Format pane. Under Action set the action type to Back. This enables automatic navigation to the previous page.
3. Test the Button: Navigate to another page in the report and click the Back button. It should return you to the page you visited previously.
Customizing the Back Button
1. Icon and Appearance: Customize the button icon, color or transparency.
2. Tooltip: Add a tooltip such as Return to previous page to guide users especially those new to the report.
Reset Button
The Reset button allows users to clear applied filters, slicers and selections, restoring the report to its original default state. This improves usability by letting users quickly return to a clean view without manually removing each filter.
Steps to Add a Reset Button
1. Create a Default Bookmark: First set your report to its default state (clear all filters and slicers), then go to the View tab and open the Bookmarks pane. Click Add and rename it as “Reset View”.
2. Insert the Button: Go to the Insert tab and select a button. You can use a Blank button or choose a predefined style.
3. Configure the Action: Select the button, open the Format pane and turn on Action. Set the action type to Bookmark and choose the “Reset View” bookmark.
4. Update the Bookmark Properly: If you make changes later (like adding visuals or changing filters), update the bookmark by clicking Update in the Bookmarks pane to capture the latest default state.
Testing the Reset Button
1. Test with Hidden Visuals: Add a visual to the page, open the Selection pane and hide that visual. Update the Reset bookmark. Now unhide or change the visual state, then click Reset to verify it restores the hidden default view.
2. Test with Filters: Apply slicers or filters on the report and click the Reset button. The report should return to the saved default state.
3. Test Multiple Changes: Change slicers, drill into visuals or modify selections then click Reset to confirm all changes are cleared correctly.