Part of the BI Blueprint design system
Dashboard UX Checklist
Review your Power BI report before publishing. Catch common issues and ensure a polished, professional result.
Most important KPIs are prominently placed at the top or in focal areas
All visuals align to a grid; edges line up vertically and horizontally
Visuals have breathing room; page doesn't feel cramped or cluttered
Information flows in a natural reading pattern (top-to-bottom, left-to-right for Western audiences)
No awkward empty spaces; visual weight is distributed evenly
Layout still looks good when slicers change the amount of data shown
Report dimensions match the primary viewing context (16:9 for presentations, custom for embedded)
If users will view on mobile, a dedicated mobile layout is created
Users can easily find and move between pages (tabs, buttons, or bookmarks)
Users know which page they're on
Navigation appears in the same location on every page
Detail pages are accessible via right-click drill-through where appropriate
Users can easily return to the previous view
Custom tooltips provide additional context without cluttering the main view
Filter controls are clearly labeled and easy to use
All visuals use the same coordinated color scheme
A Power BI theme ensures consistency across all visuals
Colors convey meaning (e.g., red for negative, green for positive) consistently
Text is readable against backgrounds; data points are distinguishable
Palette works for colorblind users; not relying solely on color to convey information
Chart colors have been intentionally chosen, not left as Power BI defaults
All text is legible at the expected viewing distance
Same font family used throughout the report
Every visual has a descriptive title that explains what it shows
Axes are labeled clearly; abbreviations are explained if used
Values are shown directly on visuals where it aids understanding
Labels, titles, and legends aren't cut off or showing "..."
Currency, percentages, and large numbers use appropriate formatting
Same precision used for similar metrics throughout
Users know what time period the data represents; last refresh date shown
Grand totals and subtotals are appropriate for the measure type
Empty data shows meaningful messages, not errors or confusing blanks
Spot-checked key figures against source systems
Report renders in under 5 seconds; no slow visuals
Every visual earns its place; removed anything redundant
Visual interactions (cross-filtering/highlighting) behave as expected
Any saved bookmarks or views function correctly
At least one other person has reviewed the report
The dashboard has a defined purpose; users know why they're looking at it
The most important takeaways are immediately visible
Comparisons, targets, or benchmarks help users interpret the numbers
Users know what to do next based on what they see
Pro Tips
Review on the device your audience uses — what looks good on your monitor may not work on a laptop
Test with real data, not just sample data — edge cases reveal layout issues
Get feedback from a non-technical user — if they're confused, simplify
Schedule a final review 24 hours after you think you're done — fresh eyes catch more
Put it into practice
Download the free Power BI template to see these UX patterns applied in a complete dashboard.
Download Free TemplateFree during beta • includes PBIX, theme file, and docs