iopowerbi

Input data directly through Power BI published report

Is there any workaround to input data directly through PBI in published report? I would like the users to input comments to the graphs. It would be fantastic if the user could do that directly in PBI report, below the chart.

I can see on official PBI Ideas For Improvement page that these features are developers' dreams to be voted:

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/9414921-input-fields

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/13820190-power-bi-online-query-parameters?page=1&per_page=20

Maybe there is some hidden workaround to that which slips out beyond the attention of Microsoft team? Maybe there is some visual, or script in R which allows sending data anywhere where it can be stored - SQL Server, Sharepoint?

Here is very inspiring hint example of IO made in R - passing clicks coordinates done in PBI to SQL and then back to Power BI: https://medium.com/@dr_eldersveld/r-visuals-in-power-bi-beyond-plots-74c618f2e6f3

Solution

  • Yes, it's entirely possible.

    You can create a PowerApps (which basically allows you to connect to any (or most) data sources) and then embed the app in Power BI with PowerApps custom visual. It may take some effort but the use case is unlimited.

    The following shows a simple example on how to save and show user input in PowerApps:

    powerapps

    The TextInput1 accepts user input, the save icon1 have OnSelect set to Set(comment, TextInput1.Text) to save the text from the text input to the variable comment; and the Label1 shows the comment value.

    When you edit the Power BI report on Power BI Web, add the PowerApps Custom Visual from the marketplace, and choose the app you just created, this is what will happen:

    input

    output

    Note that this is just an example and it won't persist user input upon refresh. If you want to save the comment to show it to other users, you'll have to modify the app and connect it to a data source, create a table to store the comment, update its value with user input, etc..