A deep dive on field parameters: When, how and why you should use them.

[@Nazeerul_Hazard]

Good uses cases, thanks for the video Grouping the measures into sales and qty is quite a cool use case. btw I figured out, that can also be done via directly adding a new column into the parameter table via Dax (then you can categorize it using Switch or IF formula). Qliqsense alternative measure is a great feature that is a pretty convenient way to switch between measures. Currently, I am using personalize view to switch measures which I think is quite more powerful but requires more clicks than Qliq.

[@CurbalEN]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!!

[@petitbergerU2b]

Thanks Ruth ! Great video, i did vote in favor on Twitter and am glad for it. I am huge fan of your content but had apparently missed other videos because the use of parameters for switching between measure had escaped me (I was mostly using it for the file folder path type of sourcing) and you are right, this is of GRRRREAT value to me (but I am a finance guy). Your warnings about the technical availabilities and also above the relevance for the customers are most welcome also. Mil gracias !

[@CurbalEN]

You haven’t missed anything, it is only now that you can use parameters to change measures, before you had to use bookmarks or DAX. Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@indianpopsicalz9792]

Yess, this is a much needed feature in power BI. So glad it is now available. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@sue_bayes]

Love the clarity of your views and honesty.

[@CurbalEN]

Thank you Susan :)

[@PedroCabraldaCamara]

I was one of them who said yes, simply because you always learn something, or something else in my case Ruth. In this case (video) , loved the idea of the measure type table. Great idea! As for the rest, we just have to be creative to distinguish filters over field parameters, I guess. Thanks a lot Ruth

[@CurbalEN]

You welcome!

[@pilarbaldominos2505]

I really really can use your final advise … A fantastic video, I would love to have more of these more extended videos with advises of how to show the data (not only the technical part) Gracias Ruth, siempre ayudando!!

[@CurbalEN]

Will do and thanks for the feedback!

[@motoray1973]

Thanks for this honest assessment. I think it's so easy to get caught up in the hype for new features, but I think simple is always best.

[@CurbalEN]

Couldn’t agree more. I do like the feature, but we shouldn’t go over board with it!

[@cicciogrecia]

The Qliq implementation is cool, when you want to select multiple measures in a specific visual. I found the slicer implementation useful when I have many visuals in one page pertaining the same measures in a field parameter, and with a single click, the whole page changes. Ideally, Power Bi could also have Qliq's implementation for specific visuals.

[@CurbalEN]

Fingers crossed, the use of slicers for filtering and changing things is confusing

[@ekadam8042]

Thank you for sharing the use cases for field parameters, Ruth! I think personalize visuals with perspectives would serve the similar option too at times like the Qlik view report.

[@abhijeetghosh27]

Thanks for these amazing ideas @Ruth ! 😃 Cheers 🥂 I too agree on the fact all new features are not welcomed by the clients at once. Sometimes they would like things the old way.. But its nice to see things are evolving... Hopefully, we would also get features like Qlik Sense implemented soon in Power BI too. 👍

[@CurbalEN]

Thank you!!

[@sebastienlaliberte9012]

Thank you! Very interesting and enlightening video! I just noticed that you replaced "sales" with "qty" four times. There's a nice little trick that can save you time. You select "sales" and then press CTRL+F2. Then just type "qty". It's a big time saver! Another shortcut I love is CTRL+K+C to comment and CTRL+K+U to uncomment. And for a list of all the shortcuts, just press SHIFT + ?

[@CurbalEN]

I actually have a video on shortcuts!! I use them randomly as I remember them 😂

[@gabrielfuma4890]

I was waiting for your video on this!!, glad that the YES won . I will always wait for your videos no mater if there are 100 already !

[@CurbalEN]

Thanks!! Really appreciate it ;)

[@HachiAdachi]

Thank you so much for grounding this fanboy so he won't go nuts with this new feature! 😅 Your "2 cents" on any subject always resonates with me, and I will take this one to heart as well. Thank you, Ruth!

[@CurbalEN]

😂 your users will thank you ;)

[@alexkim7270]

Thanks for sharing this. I like your conclusion and it's very unlikely I would be using this too often. Well on one hand, it does make calculation groups in Tabular Editor obsolete (because it is a lot more complicated). On the other hand, calculation groups are technically neater for the developers. Either way I would almost certainly never need to use this sort of thing at work. So your opinions on this are really valuable!

[@CurbalEN]

Thank you! I don’t want to kill the buzz, just make sure we use it responsibly as it can be confusing for users, but there are cases where the user will ask for it and you will they make totally sense!

[@elrevesyelderecho]

Thanks. Good ideas to think of it. I think the feature is good to save "space" on the report avoiding several pages and/or several bookmarks. I am working on a report that this feature will help me, so I'll let you know later my experience. So far, my initial reaction is don't use more than 2 parameters. Thinking of Dimension - Facts and Time. That would help uses to understand what they can change or how they are going to see the data. For example, charts are based on Year/Month, so I can switch between some dimensions and see different facts. Or Dim are fixed, but I can switch between Date Ranges or Period of time Year/Month - Quarter or Weeks and maybe switch measures. As you mentioned on the video, I think this feature fix the issue with the drill down on the visualization, that honestly only us understand how to move up and down with the arrows.

[@CurbalEN]

Yeah hierarchies are tough to get !

[@marcelocabral5096]

Curbal I love your videos thank you. How do you create the percentage bar in a grid like you did at the beginning of the video?

[@CurbalEN]

Conditional formatting on the matrix :)

[@ewad]

Thank you so much for the video Ruth. Very informative :)

[@CurbalEN]

Thanks Ewa!

[@4eyesleo]

Nice idea to slice the slicer! Thanks! Have tried Field Parameter feature yesterday. For some reason the feature works only on one of three tables in my report on the service. Locally in Power Bi Desktop it works like a charm )) Another thing that doesn't work is Cross-filtering between the visuals. Both locally and on the service

[@CurbalEN]

Mmmm please report it at issues.powerbi.com

[@PowerBIFerryTales]

This is nice. Perhaps using bookmarks and a button to navigate between measure types (10:40) would help? It could toggle Measure Type also deselect the values in the measure slicer. Would that work...maybe worth a try if you can be bothered with even more bookmarks. 😄

[@CurbalEN]

Yeah, I try to keep bookmarks at a minimum, they are so tough to maintain!

[@angshukdutta9750]

Hi , We configured a stacked bar/column chart with dynamic x axis and legend with the help field parameters. Though in power bi service I am unable to export the data properly.only summarized export is available(with out any dimension). Could you please help.

[@xavierichiza7999]

Hello Curbal, thanks very much for this helpful video. Do you know if this new feature is working on Power Bi service?

[@CurbalEN]

I hope so!! Are you having problems?

[@chrisburton4259]

I have created a field parameter for timescales is there a way I can join this to filter for number of days at the same time. So if I set parameter to weeks it brings back 35 days worth of data whereas If I select days it brings back 14 days?

[@asjones987]

Is there a way to have a filed parameter slicer work so when you select an item in a slicer it will swap several preselected items when a slicer is selected. I know I could have the end users select multiple items. However certain things go with each other and thus it would be better to have 2 or 3 items in a slicer than 6-8 items. It seems like there should be a way to do this.

[@kealkil4]

What are the implications for Calculation Groups which enable you to do the same thing? It is far easier to set up Fields as you do not have to use Tabular Editor. Will there be performance diffferences? I take your point about Field Selection Slicers not really being slicers. What I will be inclined to do is to have a different Colour for all the new Field Selection Slicers to remove some of the confusion for end users. Thank you for your insights.

[@CurbalEN]

I don’t know about the performance, I would guess though it should be faster?

[@omarbn92]

Is there a way to make the name of fields dynamic meaning depending on other measures or varialbles? Thank you

[@CurbalEN]

I don’t think it is possible now, but maybe in the future? Leave the idea at ideas.powerbi.com

[@timwalker900]

Hi Ruth - my use case is being able to switch between currencies on my matrix, but I would also like to be able to use "SELECTEDVALUE" from the field parameter table to control other measures - when I do, I get an error message: "Column [ ] is part of composite key, but not all columns of the composite key are included in the expression or its dependent expression." Any ideas on how to solve this please?

[@CurbalEN]

I am not sure you can grab what the user has selected in a field parameter slicer, can you ask in the power bi community to see if someone knows?

[@timwalker900]

@@CurbalEN Thanks Ruth - as it happens, I tried using a different column from the table (the sort order column), and that works! It just shows you should never give up, or I should have tried that first! Cheers....

[@CurbalEN]

Interesting… and good to know!

[@visheshjjain]

Is there some way we can combine all the new tables created with the field parameters? Also, I absolutely agree that Qlik's implementation is better, so please can you create and idea, cause an idea created by you is likely to get more votes than one by me. I would be more than happy to vote for it. Thanks Ruth!

[@EricaDyson]

Ruth . what can I tell you? I've been puzzling to think how I would use this feature (sensibly) and how it would actually add value to my reports.. and I've been struggling to find a really good use (as opposed to "well I could do that, but is it really worth doing"?. You've articulated so well why my "gut feeling" was telling me "hmm.. a nice super easy technique" but how does it improve the user experience" Of course it's a great feature but it's not the answer to every user's prayers, even though it's super easy for a report designer to implement. So THANKS for sharing.

[@CurbalEN]

There are Some cases and users that will benefit from this, but I believe it should be used sparingly. Glad to know I am not the only one!

[@EricaDyson]

@@CurbalEN Well of course it's a great feature but just let's keep a perspective. BI IS the greatest thing since sliced bread (for analysts) and this is just another useful feature..

[@CurbalEN]

Agree!

[@davidcadman3562]

I think it's a good point about having (yet) another slicer with a different purpose being potentially confusing. However, the problem for me is what if I want to change the axis / group by on multiple charts. With the Qlik solution wouldn't each chart have to individually adjusted? Though, on the other hand, there's an argument for the flexibility of changing them separately sometimes too. Therefore you convinced me :) The Qlik solution is good as it would avoid the need for many disconnected tables, but I think there should be a similar global selection which is somehow clearly distinguished from a normal slicer.

[@CurbalEN]

Agree, in the case you want all charts changed then something outside the visual is needed, but making it look like a slicer is not optimal for users, something else should be used. How about you change it in one visual and a pop up shows asking you to change it in all?

[@nawaazr5388]

I assume this may be possible through using bookmarks/buttons where different states are shown for multiple visuals when a button is applied?

[@CurbalEN]

Yes, too much hussle though…

[@nawaazr5388]

@@CurbalEN I agree- I spent all of yesterday setting up two states! it is satisfying when complete but it is very fiddly and easy to mess up on.

[@CurbalEN]

And difficult to maintain :(

[@dev-yi3fy]

Thank you so much

[@mirrrvelll5164]

Interestingly, bookmark filter was hardcore thing =) this update and option is fine for now, you know that PBI is evolving on monthly basis... I personally use this parameters, it depends on your output, who is using and for what. During my job i know 2 things, there are two types of people, someone like "pure visuals, matrix with numbers without limit." and others that do like everything where you can click and filter =) as along as you explain "how to do" with some text boxes or comments. And Qlik/Tableu and others. Everyone..everyone carries his side od medal =)

[@ferdinandsantos6680]

Do you know of a way to use a variable within the generated Field Parameter code and use it as a measure name override? I tried it using a VAR that captures a slicer's single selected value but it shows as (blank) in the auto-created measure slicer and on the table visual, it just defaulted to display the original measure name, ignoring the name override. Column Measures = VAR Actual = SELECTEDVALUE(Version1[Version]) Return { (Actual, NAMEOF('P&L Measures'[A_V1_Generic]), 0), ("Plan", NAMEOF('P&L Measures'[A_V2_Generic]), 1), ("Var", NAMEOF('P&L Measures'[A_V2-V1 Generic]), 2) } The slicer shows (blank) as the first item followed by Plan and Var. In the table visual, "A_V1_Generic" is displayed followed by Plan and Var.

[@CurbalEN]

Haven’t tried that, try in the power bi community, maybe someone has?

[@ferdinandsantos6680]

@@CurbalEN Thanks Ruth! I actually posted in quite a few sites and blogs. So far, the responses I have been getting is that it is not doable. The measure name cannot be dynamic. I’m just curious because I did not get any warning at all when I tried using the variable name as the displayed measure name in the code generated by field parameter. Theoretically, it seems that it should work since I’m just replacing the displayed name. The actual measure name is still the same in the NAMEOF function. It actually works if I use a static value as the variable value (ex. “Actual”). It doesn’t like it if I use SELECTEDVALUE() as the variable value.

[@CurbalEN]

I am afraid I don’t have a better answer rn, if I find something out I will let you know!

[@ferdinandsantos6680]

@@CurbalEN Thank you!😊

[@AleksandarKrkic]

Ohh so many times i had end users asking me can he have a drop down menu where he can switch between the different measures...

[@CurbalEN]

Then you stroke Gold!! Go for it !!

[@s1ngularityxd64]

💛

[@CurbalEN]

🎊🎊

[@jerrykappa6899]

Interesting video... Qlik Sense solution can be emulated with bookmark

[@CurbalEN]

You definitely can!

[@SaniGarba]

Thank you!

[@CurbalEN]

Thanks Sani, hope it was useful :)

[@SaniGarba]

@@CurbalEN It was helpful and, just as we had expexted, you provided insights beyond just the use cases. The analysis considered the downsides as well with recommemded remedies. You broadened the scope of possibilities through additional data table that extends the usability of the parameter field, similar to the measures table you demonstrated in one of your videos about 3 years ago. Again, thank you.

[@CurbalEN]

Thanks Sani for the amazing summary and feedback!

[@davidcadman3562]

Great explanation. I think it's a massive step forward, but I think I've found a bug when this feature is used in the service. I have 4 line charts with the X axis as a field parameter (Year, Quarter, Month, Week, Day). This works great in Desktop. However, when published to the service the parameter's slicer initially only changes the X axis on 1 of the charts. Only after clicking Reset to Default will the slicer change all 4 charts. Has anyone else noticed similar?

[@CurbalEN]

Yes, I think so, please report it : issues.powerbi.com

[@davidcadman3562]

@@CurbalEN Done

[@islamabdel-ghany2564]

What about the performance while using parameters ?

[@CurbalEN]

I heard is good, it performance is something you can not generalise

[@OpenLessonsMy]

For the first case, hierarchy works by multi selecting on the slicer. I think it is still easier to teach my end users compared to the arrows 😂.

[@CurbalEN]

Yeah, the arrows are not great, but the plus and minus should do it?

[@zoranagrkovic8796]

Do you know when it will be general ? 😭😭

[@mshparber]

Why won't this work if I place a field parameter in the Filters Pane?

[@CurbalEN]

It does work, but you can not place the first column. Th rest is fine ( I think)

[@mshparber]

@@CurbalEN I tried, but it doesn't show the values at all. Instead, it shows only several options - one for each field you've selected when created a parameter....

[@CurbalEN]

Mmm I will try on Monday

[@omarbn92]

Is there a way to make the name of fields dynamic meaning depending on other measures or varialbles? Thank you

[@mshparber]

Why won't this work if I place a field parameter in the Filters Pane?