“You can’t convince someone they’re wrong just by simply giving them the facts, but a good story will do it every time.” — LegionS2E10
We live in a world where data rules all, but here’s the catch: you can have the most accurate numbers in the world and still hear crickets from your audience. As the quote from the series Legion wisely points out, facts alone rarely win hearts or change minds. People need a good story to get on board. And believe it or not, that applies just as much to Power BI dashboards and Power Apps as it does to your favorite Netflix series.
So, how do you turn your data and workflows into something that gets people not just looking but actually caring? Let’s dive into the art of storytelling in your dashboards and apps—with a little humor to keep things lively.
Before you fire up Power BI or start building an app, ask yourself: What’s the one thing you want your audience to remember? Think of this as the plot twist in a good mystery novel—the one "aha"moment you don’t want anyone to miss. (Except, unlike a mystery, the key here is to make it obvious. You’re not trying to be Sherlock Holmes.)
In Power BI, that means putting the most important number or trend front and center. In Power Apps, it means guiding users toward a specific task—like getting feedback or resolving an issue—without them having to solve a Rubik’s Cube to get there.
Pro Tip: Before you start building, try explaining your core message in one sentence, like you're pitching it to a busy executive in an elevator. If you can’t sum it up clearly, your audience won’t get it either! Keep it short, sharp, and impactful.
Even the best jokes fall flat without good timing—and data’s no different. Numbers without context? Yeah, they’re just random digits floating in space. It’s like showing someone a single puzzle piece and expecting them to guess the whole picture.
With Power BI, you can help by showing how today’s data compares to last month, last year, or even industry benchmarks. In Power Apps, give users a quick overview of why their next step matters. Without this context, you’re leaving them wondering, “Okay, but why should I care?” And once they ask that, you’ve lost them.
Pro Tip: Use tooltips or pop-ups to add context without cluttering the view. It’s like adding footnotes to your story without making people feel like they’re back in high school English class.
Think of your audience as the main character in your story—because, honestly, they’re the ones you need to impress. A dashboard made for finance execs should look very different from one designed for your marketing team. (Finance loves their precise numbers, marketing loves… bright colours and optimism. Trust me.)
And in Power Apps, remember: if your app is for developers, don’t bother dumbing things down—they’ll see through it. But if it’s for, say, HR, keep things simple, friendly, and easy to navigate. After all, they don’t have time for code syntax, they’re busy people-managing!
Pro Tip: Create a “persona” for each user type and ask yourself: What decision do they need to make? Now give them the right tools and data to make that decision faster. Think of it as customising their superpower.
Nobody likes a story with way too many side plots (looking at you, last season of Game of Thrones). Same goes for dashboards and apps. You might have 20 different metrics you could show, but that doesn’t mean you should. Simplify!
In Power BI, keep your visuals crisp. Think of it as a wardrobe—just because you can wear every color at once doesn’t mean you should. And in Power Apps, make sure every button and feature has a clear purpose. If users need a road map to figure out what to do, you’ve got a problem.
Pro Tip: If it doesn’t serve your story, cut it out.Less is more, especially when it comes to data overload.
Every good story has some drama—a conflict to overcome. In the world of data, this might be that one underperforming region, a stalled project, or a KPI that’s just not where it needs to be. You don’t need a full-blown soap opera, but a little drama helps direct attention to the most important parts.
In Power BI, use conditional formatting to throw some red flags on negative trends (but keep your red to a minimum—we don’t want a panic at the dashboard situation). In Power Apps, highlight action items that need attention, like overdue tasks or pending approvals.
Pro Tip: Use color wisely. Too much red and your audience will feel like they’re reading a horror story. A touch of orange or yellow says “Hey, pay attention,” without sending them into crisis mode.
Ah, the resolution—the part where our hero triumphs, and everyone lives happily ever after (or at least until the next business review).Your dashboard or app should lead the user to a clear conclusion. What action should they take next? Make it as simple as pushing a button—or, in this case, literally pushing a button.
In Power BI, consider adding drill-through buttons or call-to-action links that take users deeper into the data or to the next step.In Power Apps, guide users through workflows so they know exactly what to do without second-guessing themselves. Because nothing kills a good story like an open-ended ending. No cliffhangers here, please!
Pro Tip: Reward users for completing their tasks, whether it’s a summary screen, a congratulatory message, or just the satisfaction of a job well done. Everyone loves a happy ending.
At the end of the day, your Power BI dashboards and PowerApps should tell a story that resonates. Because numbers alone? Boring. A well-crafted narrative? Now that’s what gets people to care, act, and maybe even give you a standing ovation (or at least a well-timed nod of approval).
By focusing on a clear message, setting the scene with context, knowing your audience, keeping things simple, adding a touch of drama, and guiding people to a resolution, you’ll go from data nerd to data hero in no time.
And remember: a good story doesn’t just inform—it persuades. And that’s where the real magic happens.
