Power BI May 2026 Feature Summary

Welcome to the May Power BI update!

Power BI continues to evolve with updates that make it easier to explore data, generate insights, and build more polished reports. This month’s release brings improvements across Copilot and AI experiences, reporting and modeling enhancements, new data connectivity flows, and updates to visualizations—helping you move faster from data to decisions.

Contents

Copilot and AI

Explore Improvements

Set perspectives for Explore

If your report is built using a large data model, you can provide report consumers using Explore a more focused list of tables and fields by creating a perspective and then setting it as the Exploration perspective for your report. This makes the fields easier for them to navigate.

Figure: The perspective being used is visible in the data pane.

First, create your perspective. Then, you can set it in one of two ways

With the report open in the service, navigate to File > Settings > Report settings and then set your Explore perspective.
In desktop navigate to File > Options and settings > Options > Current File > Report settings and then set your Explore perspective.

Improved Auto-Expand Behavior for Matrix in Explore

Previously, when you added or reordered fields in the field well for your matrix, the matrix hierarchy wouldn’t always expand to show your newly added fields. Now, the matrix automatically adjusts which fields are expanded so the new field is visible, making it easier for users to see their changes. This behavior might be different from what you experience in your reports, depending on the settings the author has chosen.

Show or hide totals in tables and matrices

Users can now show or hide totals on matrix and table visuals right from the Explore toolbar.

Figure: Show or hide totals in Explore.

Report formatting carry-over

When users launch an exploration from a formatted matrix in a report, the formatting applied to that matrix during authoring is now carried over and visible in the exploration. Formatting that's part of the theme won't be carried over. If you'd like to clear any of the formatting, navigate to the more menu (...) in the visual toolbar, and select "Clear formatting"

Figure: Clear formatting with this option in the "more" menu.

Copilot summary shortcuts

Summarize shortcut on the ribbon the Summarize shortcut, available on the report ribbon in Power BI Service, helps consumers quickly get a high-level understanding of their data. When selected, Copilot opens the report pane and generates a concise, report-wide summary that surfaces key trends, performance highlights, and notable changes across pages and visuals. This experience is designed to help users orient themselves quickly before diving deeper into the report.

Figure: The new Summarize button highlighted in the report ribbon.

Copilot summary shortcut on the visual header

For deeper analysis of a specific chart, Copilot summary is also available directly from the visual header. With a single click, Copilot opens the report pane and produces a visual-level, insight-focused summary of the selected visual. The summary calls out what stands out in the chart, such as trend shifts over time, differences across categories or regions, and key drivers of change, without requiring users to manually interpret every data point.

Figure: The new Copilot summary option highlighted on the visual header.

Copilot Narrative visual now supports embedding in customer applications (Preview)

The Copilot narrative visual now supports the app‑owns‑data scenario. Previously, Copilot narratives were available only in embed scenarios where the user owns the data or in secure environments. With this update, the narrative visual can also be embedded in customer applications where report consumers don’t need to sign in.

Learn more at Create a narrative visual with Copilot for Power BI.

New Copilot Tooling Format (Preview)

The new Copilot tooling format for ‘Prep data for AI’ is now available to store your Copilot metadata. Support for this format will roll out incrementally over the coming weeks, after which you can begin adopting it in your workflows.

This new Copilot tooling format offers multiple benefits:

Git-Friendly and Documented Format: The new Copilot tooling format is designed to be Git-friendly, making it easier for teams to collaborate, track changes, and resolve conflicts. Unlike the previous JSON-based LSDL format, which was difficult to edit and undocumented, the new format is structured, documented, and intended for direct editing and source control.
Customer and Developer Usability: The new format addresses developer pain points by providing a clear, documented structure for Copilot metadata, making it easier for advanced users and third-party tools to interact with and customize Copilot settings.
Decoupling and Futureproofing: Decoupling Copilot from Q&A simplifies the user experience while ensuring alignment with the planned Q&A deprecation.
Performance and Scalability Improvements: By moving Copilot metadata outside the Analysis Services database, the new format reduces the need to load large semantic models into memory just to access metadata, improving performance and scalability, especially for scenarios where only metadata is needed.
To learn more, refer to the Prepare Your Data for AI (preview) documentation.

Reporting

Visual calculations and custom totals (Generally Available)

Visual calculations and custom totals allow you to create calculations for your visuals in a new way. Add running sums, moving averages, percent of parent, and other calculations directly in your visual without adding DAX measures to your semantic model. Visual calculations operate on aggregated data within the visual and they are aware of their row position within the visual giving you more flexibility on how you can define your calculations. To get started, select a visual, then New visual calculation from the ribbon or context menu, then use built-in templates or write your own expressions.

Figure: Create a new visual calculation directly from the ribbon or context menu.

To learn more, refer to the Using visual calculations documentation.

Custom totals: None and Average (Generally Available)

Custom totals now include None and Average options in addition to the existing Sum, Min, Max, Count, and Count Distinct options. Right-click a numerical column in your table or matrix and select Customize total calculation to choose the aggregation method for your total row.

Figure: Choose “None” or “Average” as the total calculation for a numeric column.

To learn more, refer to the Custom totals documentation.

Set as landing page (Generally Available)

Use landing pages to guide viewers to the right starting point. Designate any page in your report as the landing page to ensure report viewers always start on the right page. Right-click a page tab and select Set as landing page or use the page formatting pane to configure this setting. Use this when your report has a specific page, such as an overview or summary page, that provides the best starting point. With this set, no need to make sure you are on the correct page after you make changes to the report before publishing.

Figure: Set a report page as the landing page from the page tab menu.

To learn more about setting the landing page on your report, refer to the Set as landing page documentation.

Default format string locale for dates and numbers (Generally Available)

You now have a report setting to display dates and numbers in a specific locale, regardless of your viewers' browser settings. When you set the format string locale for your report, all locale-aware format strings (e.g. date formats marked with an asterisk in Format options) use your specified locale instead of the viewer's browser locale.

This is useful when you need consistent formatting across your organization or when your report targets a specific region. Note that this setting only affects the report -- how values display in visuals—it doesn't change the semantic model's awareness of user culture. USERCULTURE() and metadata translations still use the viewer's browser locale.

Figure: Set a report-level format string locale for consistent date and number formats.

To learn more about report settings, refer to Default format string locale Power BI report setting documentation.

Translytical task flows: optional parameters and default values (Generally Available)

Translytical task flows now support optional parameters and default value awareness. Reports pre-populate input fields with default values from your user data functions, and you can submit task flows without specifying every parameter value. This reduces friction when users interact with data function buttons in your reports.

Figure: Task flow input fields can pre-populate with default values.

Figure: Submit a task flow without specifying every parameter value.

To learn more, refer to the Translytical task flow overview documentation.

Input slicer numeric column support (Generally Available)

The input slicer now supports numeric fields and a numeric input mask. Add a numeric column to the input slicer then use operator syntax to filter values with expressions like ranges (1-2), greater than (>2), less than (<2), or simply add each number. Without a data column, you can also limit the slicer to numeric entry for translytical task flows, and invalid input now shows clear feedback.

Figure: Use numeric input and operator syntax in the input slicer.

To learn more, refer to the Create and use an input slicer documentation.

Matrix auto-expand for embedded visuals and Explore (Generally Available)

Set a property so fields added to the matrix visual automatically expand in embedded scenarios. Use this when you're embedding reports in applications and want the matrix to display expanded hierarchies by default without requiring user interaction. Explore feature also now auto-expands as field are added to the matrix.

Figure: Enable matrix auto-expand behavior for embedded scenarios.

To learn more, refer to the Power BI Playground documentation.

Text box in Power BI reports list formatting improvements (Generally Available)

Lists in text boxes now preserve formatting correctly, indentation renders as expected, and you can paste bulleted lists directly from Word. These improvements make it easier to add formatted text content to your report pages.

Figure: Bulleted and numbered list formatting in text boxes now pastes and renders correctly.

To learn more, refer to the Add Text Boxes, Shapes, and Smart Narratives to Power BI Reports documentation.

Azure maps formatting pane (Generally Available)

The Azure Maps visual now has an updated formatting pane that aligns with the modern formatting experience in Power BI. Find map settings, layer options, and style controls organized in a consistent layout that matches other visuals.

Figure: Updated Azure Maps formatting pane aligned with the modern formatting experience.

To learn more about the Azure Maps visual and its capabilities, refer to the Get started with Azure Maps Power BI visual documentation.

Modern visual defaults improvements (Preview)

This month's improvements to modern visual defaults continue to make your reporting experience faster. The theme dropdown now has an updated look and the title to remove custom theme is now with a new look and says reset to default. This functionality is not new, but the tile is updated to be clearer. This update also includes fixes: the slicer now defaults to dropdown mode without issues, and the first page of your report correctly uses the new canvas size.

Figure: Updated theme dropdown and “reset to default” label in modern visual defaults.

To learn more, refer to the Visual defaults in Power BI reports documentation.

Column fixed and default width for table and matrix (Generally Available)

Specify exact pixel widths for columns in your tables and matrix visuals. In the formatting pane, type in any width value you want, or set a default width that applies to all columns. Auto-size behavior now includes a fixed width option, in addition to fitting to content and grow to fit options. The fixed width option lets you simply specify the exact default width to use on columns.

This preview feature gives you precise control over column sizing instead of relying on automatic sizing behavior and manually resizing a column on the visual itself with the mouse. These widths can be set differently between desktop and mobile views, giving you the ability to fine tune your visuals no matter where it’s viewed.

Figure: Set fixed pixel widths and default column widths for tables and matrices.

To learn more about table formatting options, refer to the Table and matrix visual overview documentation.

Subscriptions support for Power BI reports in org apps (Preview)

You can now create and manage email subscriptions for Power BI reports directly within org apps (Preview), bringing a familiar and highly requested capability to this new content packaging experience.

With this update, consumers viewing reports in an org app can stay informed with scheduled email snapshots and links back to reporting, just as they would when accessing reports elsewhere in the Power BI service. This closes a key gap in org apps leading up to general availability, which previously didn’t support subscriptions like found in workspace apps.

Figure: Subscribe in org app and Subscription for a report in an org app.

To learn more about how subscriptions work for reports in org apps, refer to Email subscriptions for reports.

Version History in Power BI Desktop

Version History in Power BI Desktop is now available for Power BI files saved to OneDrive and SharePoint.

Figure: New Dialog in Power BI Desktop showing Version History.

Capabilities

View previous versions of their reports directly in Desktop.
Open older versions in a new window for comparison or reuse.
Find key details like version number, last modified date, and who modified the file.
Work from earlier versions without overwriting the current file.

To access this feature, navigate to the top left flyout in Power BI desktop, and select ‘Version History’ button at the bottom of the flyout. Upon selecting the button, a dialog will open (pictured above) listing out all the versions and its relevant details.

Figure: New Version History Button in Power BI Desktop.

To enable Version History, your Power BI file must be saved to OneDrive and SharePoint, and you must have Save and Share to OneDrive and SharePoint enabled in Power BI Desktop.

To learn more, refer to the Power BI Desktop OneDrive and SharePoint integration documentation.

Modeling

Faster access to Web Modeling for Semantic Model authors

Power BI is improving the authoring experience for users with edit permissions on semantic models. Going forward, when you access a semantic model, you’ll be taken directly to the web modeling experience instead of the model details page. Most of the generally available actions on the model details page are now integrated directly into the model view.

Figure: Web Modeling view page.

Figure: Semantic Model details page.

This change is designed to streamline your workflow by reducing extra navigation steps and helping you jump straight into model view for faster updates, smoother iteration, and a more intuitive authoring flow overall.

Data connectivity

New Get Data experience in Power BI Desktop (Preview)

Getting started with data in Power BI is now simpler than ever. In the May release, we’re introducing the new Power Query Get Data experience (Preview) — a completely redesigned way to help you discover and connect to your data faster, bringing a unified place to find all your data sources.

Key highlights include improved data source discovery, a streamlined connection flow, and built‑in accessibility features such as keyboard navigation and dark mode. It also brings greater consistency to Power Query across Microsoft Fabric, Power BI Desktop, and Microsoft Excel.

Figure: New Get Data experience in Power BI Desktop.

To learn more about the new Get Data experience and how to get started, refer to the New Get Data experience in Power BI Desktop documentation.

Visualizations

Card with States

Introducing the new Card with States: faster, smarter, and fully unlocked

The new generation of Card with States by OKVIZ, is a popular Power BI visual for KPI storytelling. After a period of pause, development is officially back and stronger than ever.

This new version has been completely modernized to align with the latest Power BI APIs, ensuring full compatibility with current features and readiness for what’s coming next.

What’s new:

Modern platform support - Fully updated to the latest Power BI APIs for future-proof compatibility.
Advanced color rules editor - Enterprise-grade conditional formatting, now available in a free visual.
All features unlocked - No licenses, no restrictions—everything is included.
Simplified experience - Cleaner options and improved usability.
Better stability - Multiple bug fixes and performance improvements.

Card with States continue to help you track performance through dynamic states, variance indicators, and trend lines—but now with more control, better usability, and a future-proof foundation.

Please note: the previous version is now labeled Card with States Legacy and will no longer receive updates or support.

We’re just getting started—more features are already on the roadmap. To learn more, refer to Card with States.

Financial Reporting Matrix by Profitbase – Now with advanced sorting!

When reviewing financial performance, stakeholders need to quickly find the highest the outliers that drive decisions. Version 9.0 of the Financial Reporting Matrix puts that power in the hands of end users. You can now sort rows and columns alphabetically or by value, on the fly, with sorting state and formatting fully preserved in the Excel export.

The new version also includes:

Hide blank column children or those matching the parent name
Native drill-down, for significantly faster performance on large datasets
Conditional formatting by column index - no more hardcoded names that break when your data structure changes
For more feature details, refer to Financial Reporting Matrix v9.0.0.0-rc.

Additional capabilities for Financial Reporting Matrix:

Subtotals
In-cell commenting
Custom measures
Export to Excel with formatting
Custom measure placement
Hide empty columns
Specify thousand and decimal separator
Cross-highlighting/cross-filtering
Multiple column headers/pivoting
Expand/collapse columns and rows
Ragged hierarchy
Sticky column and row headers
Conditional formatting
Custom columns with calculations and much more

Resources

Lollipop Chart by Powerviz

The Powerviz Lollipop chart is a variation of a bar chart that uses lines and dots to represent data points. It is perfect for highlighting specific trends to help stakeholders make informed decisions.

Key Features

Chart Options: Easily switch between vertical/horizontal charts.
Marker Style: Choose from Shapes, Charts, Icons, Images, or Upload a custom image.
Small Multiples: Split your visual into multiple smaller visuals.
Error Bars: Add error bars to show data variability, improving analysis accuracy.
Reference Lines & Bands - Add reference lines and bands to highlight benchmarks, targets, or important ranges.
Data Colors: Access to 30+ color palettes, including color-blind-safe options.
Race Chart: Enhance the chart by adding animations to show data changes over time.
Cut/Clip Axis: Trim/Adjust the axis to accommodate the outliers.
Dynamic Deviation: Analyze the deviation between two bars in a glance.
Preview Slider: Easily explore various sections of a chart in large datasets using a slider.
Conditional Formatting: Easily find outliers by using rules for measures or categories.

Additional features included are IBCS Support, Templates, Import/Export Themes, Data Colors, Ranking and more.

TMap 3.1

The newly released TMap 3.1 has added new features for generating grid layer from point data in the marker layer or reference layers by aggregation or interpolation.

Grid map in the TMap visual can bridge the gap between proportional symbol map and choropleth map in providing geospatial and business intelligence. Grid-based heat map can be used for crime intelligence analysis, pandemic dispersal pattern analysis and disaster (tornado, earthquake, etc.) density analysis.

Figure: The map shows shooting incidents in Toronto during 2004-2025 by grid map and choropleth map.

The map shows spatial pattern and hot spots for shooting incidents in Toronto easily, that is, Jane-Finch area, Lawrence Heights, Downtown area extending east to Regent Park and west to Bathurst St.

Figure: A proportional symbol map shows shooting incidents in Toronto during 2004-2025. Note: With the symbols overlapped, it is difficult to retrieve accurate data.

Drill Down Timeline PRO by ZoomCharts

Drill Down Timeline PRO now introduces dynamic thresholds, allowing targets to automatically adjust based on data or DAX measures instead of relying on static limits. This makes it easier to monitor performance against changing expectations and quickly identify when results exceed or fall below targets.

Designed for time-based analysis, Timeline enables users to explore trends and drill down through time hierarchies from years to milliseconds to understand exactly when performance changes occur.

New features:

Dynamic thresholds calculated from data or DAX measures
Threshold lines or areas automatically update based on filters, parameters, and data context

Key features:

Drill down through time hierarchies with a single click
Combine columns, lines, and areas in one visual
Display up to 25 time-based series
Show threshold lines or areas to track targets
Conditional formatting to highlight important changes
Cross-filtering across visuals
Pan across the timeline to move the selected time range
Animations for a more intuitive analysis experience

Use cases:

Track seasonal sales performance against monthly targets
Detect operational issues when metrics exceed safe limits
Compare actual results against dynamic budgets or forecasts
Track event trends over time

Multiple Sparklines

Multiple Sparklines now include several usability improvements. You can now switch between rows and columns of the visual with a single click. You can hide the rotate button from the Format Pane>>Table Settings. You can also add variance between bars in column chart by dragging the variance filed to compare any two columns. In addition, drill down or up to any level by clicking on level number, making it easier to navigate your data hierarchy.

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