Contents:​

1. What is a Brush Slicer?
2. Introducing the Brush Slicer for Power BI by Datellers!
3. How to import and use the Brush Slicer in Power BI
4. How to use the Features in the Brush Slicer
5. Formatting Options in the Brush Slicer

I. What is a Brush Slicer? ​

Brush: A brush is a tool in D3 for interactive data. Users can select parts of a visualization by dragging a rectangular brush over what they want to focus on. This makes it easier for users to dynamically explore and understand the information shown.

Slicer: A slicer is a visual element that lets users filter data in a report or dashboard. Users can interactively choose specific data values, which then filters the visuals on the report page. Slicers help users focus on specific parts of data for analysis and decision-making.

Brush Slicer: The brush slicer is a novel customized solution in Power BI. Unlike a standard date slicer, the brush slicer not only filters data but also visualizes the data, allowing the user to peek into the data available which makes filtration easier based on the underlying data.

II. Introducing the Brush Slicer for Power BI by Datellers! ​

The Brush Slicer, our latest addition to Power BI Custom Visuals, aims to revolutionize date slicing with an innovative approach. Unlike conventional date slicers, the Brush Slicer empowers users to effortlessly select specific date ranges by simply dragging over the desired time-period, all while examining trends and anomalies. This feature offers flexibility and customization for tailored date slicing in time series analysis.  

We have packed the Brush Slicer with an array of features. From incorporating Secondary Measures for comparisons like Actual vs Target, to enabling zoom functionality for a more detailed view of any date range, and even allowing users to add Milestones for event markers such as Discount Periods – the Brush Slicer aims to elevate the users data analysis experience. Additionally, with the Snapping feature, seamlessly navigating between Years or Months becomes intuitive and efficient. 

The example below shows the selection of a specific date range within the sales data

The following is what the Brush Slicer offers its users:

1. Visual Representation – Enables users to quickly preview the underlying data before slicing the entire report.
2. Trend analysis – Able to quickly identify high and low points even before looking at the entire report.
3. Intuitive slicing – Instead of using dropdowns or numbered ranges to filter dates, it empowers users to use an actual timeline making it more intuitive to select relevant date ranges & useful for users with varying levels of expertise.
4. Brushing – Allows users to quickly change filtered data while maintaining the same duration, useful for filtering same duration repeatedly.
5. Zooming – Enables zoom to a specific section in the data to identify smaller changes within the dataset.
6. Milestones – Enables users to highlight notable events in the dataset that aids in further analysis & identification of such event-based trends.
7. Comparative analysis – Allows the layering of metrics that aids in comparing quantitative values for the same date.
8. Doubles as a Visual – It also enables the slicer to be used as a visual in itself with enhanced features, making it a more interactive bar/line/area chart.

III. How to use the Brush Slicer in Power BI?

1. Save the Brush Slicer file (.pbiviz) locally, shared with you in the email.
2. Here is a link to know how to import the visual in Power BI, once the file is saved – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/developer/visuals/import-visual#import-a-visual-file-from-your-local-computer-into-power-bi
3. Add the required data in the fields. There are four fields as follows: 

IV. How to use the Features in the Brush Slicer

You can use the following core features:

1. Slicing – Slicing is the primary function of the Brush Slicer visual, designed to seamlessly filter data across other visuals in a user-friendly and visually intuitive manner. User has the flexibility to visually see the trends and simultaneously select any date range for filtering the remaining visuals.
2. Zooming – This feature is used to zoom into smaller date ranges when there are many data points. User can enable this feature either by clicking the zoom icon in the top right corner, or via the formatting pane.zzzz

3. Brushing – This feature is used to select the range of data which the user wants to filter. User can visually analyse trends and slice a range of data by using brushing techniques. Simply drag anywhere over the chart to select any date range. User can further customise the brush colour, opacity, etc. from the formatting pane.

4.  Period Snapping – User can easily apply snapping by setting the brush to snap periods either Year wise, Month wise or Free. These convenient snapping options can be selected from the formatting pane.
   1. Free: Free snapping enables the selection of any date range for slicing
   2. Year: Year snapping facilitates slicing by allowing brushing based on individual yearly date points.
   3. Month: Month snapping enables data slicing by permitting brushing based on individual monthly date points.

5.  Milestone – User can add milestones to the slicer by adding it in the Milestone Field. This helps highlight eventful dates to the data and help highlight significant datapoints to look into. The milestones are shown as red dots on Measure 1 by default, but can be switched to Measure 2 in the Formatting Pane.

6. Multiple Charts – User can choose between either a Bar, Line or Area Chart to view the data. The same can be selected for both measures 1 & 2 in any combination from the formatting pane.

7. Dual Measures – User can incorporate two measures into the slicer visual, effectively transforming it into a combo chart. This feature facilitates comparisons, such as against a target, by enabling simultaneous visualization of multiple metrics within the same chart.

V. Formatting Options in Brush Slicer

The Brush Slicer comes with an array of customisations. Following is a list of the formatting options that can be applied to the Brush Slicer from the Formatting pane:

1. Brush – Expanding ‘Brush’ gives the following formatting options:

2. Measure 1 – Expanding ‘Measure 1’ gives the following formatting options:

3. Measure 2 – Expanding ‘Measure 2’ gives the following formatting options:

4. X Axis – Expanding ‘X Axis’ allows the user to Show / Hide the X Axis at the bottom of the slicer.

5. Y Axis – Expanding ‘Y Axis’ allows the user to Show / Hide the Y Axis to the left of the slicer.

6. Milestone – Expanding ‘Milestone’ gives the following formatting options:

7. Icons – Expanding ‘Icons’ allows the user to Show / Hide the ‘zoom’ and ‘clear filter’ icons on the top right corner of the Brush Slicer.