Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting at the Devon and Cornwall Power BI User Group on the oh-so-exciting topic of Power BI and Power Apps integration. Mid-presentation, our awesome host, Sue Bayes, threw out the classic nugget of wisdom: ‘Less is more.’ And that got me thinking—since I was already planning a blog post about Hick’s Law (the less-is-more law for indecisive humans), why not take it further and dive into the whole idea of simplicity? So here we are…buckle up for a deep dive into why keeping it simple is the best thing you can do for your users.
When it comes to data-driven products like Power BI dashboards and Power Apps, there’s a tendency to cram in everything—charts, graphs, tables, filters, buttons, and, oh, let’s not forget, that one random widget that no one asked for. It’s like trying to pack for a weekend getaway and ending up with enough luggage for a six-month trip. If you're having trouble finding the right visual for the job, check my previous blog post which will help you decide on who are the main actors in your data drama!
Here’s the thing: people can’t process everything at once. When users are overwhelmed by too much information or too many options, they shut down faster than a laptop with no battery. In UX, we call this cognitive overload, and it’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.
Enter Hick’s Law—a UX principle that basically says: the more options you throw at people, the longer they’ll take to decide. Picture this: you walk into a grocery store and hit the wine aisle. Hundreds of bottles stare back at you—reds, whites, rosés. Do you go for something French, Californian, or Italian? A Cabernet, Merlot, or maybe a Chardonnay? Suddenly, choosing a bottle feels like studying for a wine exam. Hick’s Law explains why too many choices can overwhelm us, turning what should be a simple decision into a mental marathon.
Now, let’s bring this back to Power BI and Power Apps. If your dashboard has 25 different graphs or your app is packed with a dozen buttons, users are likely spending a good chunk of their time just figuring out where to click first—like wandering aimlessly through that wine aisle. The result? Decision paralysis and a hit to productivity. Keep the options clear and purposeful, and your users won’t feel like they need to stop and ponder every step.
When it comes to UX in Power BI and Power Apps, simplicity isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about cutting out the noise. You want your users to focus on what’s essential, not waste time sorting through fluff.
Let’s break this down with a few actionable tips:
Think of your Power BI dashboard like a plate of food. You wouldn’t pile an entire buffet onto one plate (unless you’re at an all-you-can-eat and feeling ambitious). The same logic applies to your dashboard. When you cram too many visuals into one page, it can overwhelm your users, leaving them unsure where to start—like trying to eat a towering sandwich with no idea where to bite first.
A solid guideline is to stick to 3-5 visuals per page. That’s enough to serve up meaningful insights without making your users feel like they need to take a crash course in data science just to figure things out. If you’re tempted to add more, ask yourself: “Does this really need to be here?” If the answer is “maybe,” then it’s a “no.” You don’t want your users picking through a dashboard that feels cluttered—they should get the insights they need in manageable, easy-to-digest bites. Keep it streamlined, and your users will leave with exactly what they came for!
Just because you can add more buttons, sliders, and shiny widgets to your Power App doesn’t mean you should. Think of your app like a well-packed suitcase—you want only the essentials within reach, not every single gadget you own crammed inside. The best Power Apps are built for efficiency, where users can glide through their tasks without feeling like they’re navigating a labyrinth of features.
Take a moment and look at your app. Are there buttons that rarely get pressed, features that collect more dust than engagement? If so, they’re prime candidates for a vacation to a secondary menu, or perhaps a graceful retirement altogether. By prioritising the key actions and making them front and center, you’re giving users a streamlined experience that makes them feel like pros, not lost tourists. Remember, more options can lead to more confusion—so focus on what really matters, and your users will breeze through your app with a smile instead of a sigh.
Let’s talk about white space—or as I like to call it, the introverted hero of design. In Power BI reports and Power Apps, white space isn’t just “empty” space; it’s the strategic pause in a conversation, giving your data and visuals room to breathe. When used well, white space helps create clarity and focus, guiding users through your content like a well-marked path.
Without it, things can feel cramped and overwhelming—like trying to read a book with all the words squished together. But when you embrace the white space, everything becomes more digestible, more intuitive, and way more visually appealing. It’s all about balance—letting your data stand out without competing for attention. So go ahead, give your design some breathing room!
Let’s also talk about Tesler’s Law, a.k.a. the “Law of Conservation of Complexity.” (Don’t worry, no science degree required here). The gist? Every system has its own unavoidable complexity, like that one drawer in your kitchen you just can’t keep organised no matter how hard you try. In UX, the challenge is this: Do we make the app or report handle the hard stuff, or do we offload some of it onto the user?
Good design is like a smooth-talking magician—moving complexity behind the curtain so the user doesn’t have to deal with it. So, when I say "Less is more," I don’t mean ditch important features or simplify to the point of absurdity. Instead, it’s all about hiding the mess under the rug (but in a good way), so users get a smooth, seamless experience without the cognitive clutter. Magic, right?
Simplicity is more than just a design choice—it’s a way to respect your users’ time and mental energy. By applying Hick’s Law, Tesler's Law and focusing on decluttering your PowerBI dashboards and Power Apps, you create a smoother, more enjoyable user experience.
Remember, the best UX designs don’t scream “Look at me!” They quietly whisper, “I’ve got this.” Your users will be able to focus on the task at hand, make decisions faster, and—dare I say it—actually enjoy using your product.
So, next time you’re tempted to add one more graph or squeeze in another button, just take a breath, step back, and ask yourself: Is this simple? If the answer is no, you know what to do.
Now go forth, simplify, and watch your users (and their brains) breathe a sigh of relief!
