The Clearly Podcast

Branding

Summary

Branding is an important way of engaging with report users, and helping them to feel that the report is about their work.  In this episode, we look at how and why we should brand our reports.

Microsoft has some very detailed documentation on how to create theme files here.

For those less confident, Power BI Tips has create this handy theme generator.

If you don't yet have a palette designed, you could use a tool such as this one.

Finally, you could use a theme from the theme gallery as a starting point.

For our younger listeners, here is the Wikipedia page on Geocities

You can download Power BI Desktop from here.

If you already use Power BI, or are considering it, we strongly recommend you join your local Power BI user group here.

Transcript

Andy:
Hey everyone, welcome to the Clearly Podcast Episode 5 on branding, recorded on October 28, 2020.  Today, we discuss the importance of applying branding, logos, and color schemes to your Power BI reports. Shailan, can you start by explaining what you mean by branding?

Shailan:
Branding is your corporate identity. It’s like creating a PowerPoint presentation—you don't leave it on the default theme. You apply your corporate colors and logo to represent your corporate image. This is what we mean by branding.

Andy:
Do you think branding helps with report consumption in Power BI?

Shailan:
Absolutely. If you present a report with corporate branding, it resonates more with the audience. They see it as something created specifically for them by their organization. This has been my personal experience.

Andy:
So, it adds a level of comfort and familiarity, much like using customer data in demos for better acceptance. Tom, what’s your take on this?

Tom:
I agree. As someone who might just use the standard template, I see the value in customized branding. It makes the report feel more official and professional.

Andy:
Shailan, how do you start branding Power BI in line with a customer's corporate identity?

Shailan:
Start by adding the corporate logo. Next, if the client has a branding guide, use it. Otherwise, create a theme file with their corporate colors. Power BI uses Hex codes for colors. You export a theme file as a JSON file, input your Hex codes, and import it back into Power BI to apply the colors.

Andy:
JSON files and themes might sound daunting to some users. Tom, is it complicated?

Tom:
Not at all. The initial theme file is straightforward—just a few Hex codes. The Microsoft documentation provides detailed information on JSON tags and attributes for advanced customization. But for most users, sticking to the basics is enough to avoid over-complication and potential visual chaos.

Andy:
Andy's right. Overuse of colors can make reports look like a Geocities website from the late '90s. Shailan, how do you manage colors effectively?

Shailan:
Use color palettes to find complementary colors. Websites can help suggest colors that go well together, avoiding garish combinations. Consistency is key—agree with the client on color usage for different report elements to ensure uniformity across reports.

Andy:
Shailan, any tips on differentiating reports for various departments while maintaining consistency?

Shailan:
Yes, create background images that include logos and divider lines for a consistent look. This helps differentiate departmental reports by using distinct icons or slightly varied elements within a unified branding framework.

Andy:
Is this functionality available to end users as well?

Shailan:
Yes, end users can access these branding capabilities through Power BI service, ensuring corporate colors and themes are applied even when they edit or create new reports.

Andy:
Thanks, guys. Let's wrap up with final thoughts. Tom?

Tom:
Use color palette websites to generate a theme that aligns with your corporate identity.

Andy:
Shailan?

Shailan:
A top tip: if you receive a Power BI file with embedded images but no separate logo file, save the file as a .zip, open it, and retrieve the image from the resources folder.

Andy:
My top tip: if you need color details from a customer's logo, use a tool like Photoshop to find the Hex codes.

We hope you found this episode useful. For more, visit clearlycloudy.co.uk or clearlysolutions.net. We’ll be back on November 30 to discuss the benefits of pre-aggregation. Have a great week, stay safe, and socially distance. Thanks for listening!.