Power BI Navigation: How to Help Users Find What They Need

A dashboard without clear navigation is like a website without a menu. Users might find what they need eventually, but most will give up first.

Why Default Page Tabs Aren't Enough

Power BI's built-in page tabs work, but they're limited. They're small, they're at the bottom (where users often don't look), and they don't support visual hierarchy. For simple 2-3 page reports, they're fine. For anything more complex, you need something better.

Option 1: Button Navigation

Add buttons that link to each page. Style them to look like tabs or a menu.

Pros: Full control over styling and placement. Can add icons (try our Icon Generator for custom navigation icons). Works well at the top or left side.

Cons: Requires manual setup on each page. Must maintain consistency yourself.

Best for: Reports with 3-6 pages where you want a polished, custom look.

Option 2: Navigation Page (Hub)

Create a dedicated landing page with clear links to each section of the report.

Pros: Great first impression. Provides orientation. Can include descriptions of each section.

Cons: Adds an extra click before users see data.

Best for: Complex reports with distinct sections for different audiences. This ties directly into the Hub and Spoke layout pattern.

Option 3: Bookmarks + Buttons

Use bookmarks to create different "views" and buttons to switch between them.

Pros: Can toggle visibility of visuals, change filters, or switch views without changing pages.

Cons: Can get complicated to maintain. Bookmark state can be fragile.

Best for: Interactive presentations, toggle-style interfaces (e.g., switching between chart and table view).

Navigation Principles That Always Apply

Regardless of which approach you choose:

• Be consistent — Navigation should appear in the same place on every page.
• Show current location — Highlight or differentiate the current page so users know where they are.
• Provide a way back — Every drill-through page needs a clear "Back" button.
• Keep it visible — Don't hide navigation behind hovers or menus. Users should always see their options.
• Use clear labels — "Page 1" and "Page 2" mean nothing. Use descriptive names like "Sales Overview" and "Regional Breakdown."

The Bottom Line

Good navigation is invisible when it works and infuriating when it doesn't. Take time to plan your report structure, then implement navigation that makes it effortless to explore.

Want a faster way to apply these patterns? Download the free BI Blueprint starter template.