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How to format the Power BI Matrix report with an example? The Power BI Formatting Matrix includes changing the matrix grid colors, row formatting, column formatting, row and column colors, matrix title text, and background color, etc.

To demonstrate these Power BI matrix formatting options, we'll use the matrix we created earlier. See the article Create a matrix in Power BI to understand the steps required to create a Power BI matrix.

How to format Power BI Matrix

Click on the Format to see the list of Matrix formatting options that are available in Power BI.

format-power-bi-matrix-1-7427738

Format General Power BI Matrix Settings

Use this general section to change the X, Y position, width and height of an array

format-power-bi-matrix-2-7082894

Format Power BI Matrix Style

In the following screenshot, you can see the list of styles that are available to design this Matrix. Select any style according to your needs.

format-power-bi-matrix-3-7554501

For now, we are selecting the Alternate rows option from the drop-down list. Add alternate row colors and add black to header, subtotals, and grand totals.

format-power-bi-matrix-4-8324894

The following is the list of options available to format the Power BI matrix grid.

  • Vert Grid: Toggling this property from Off to On adds the vertical grid to the matrix. Nothing more than to enable the vertical line to separate each column.
  • Horiz Grid: Add horizontal grid. Nothing more than enabling the horizontal line to separate each row.
  • Horizontal Grid Color: Changing the color of a horizontal matrix grid.
  • Horizontal grid thickness: Matrix horizontal grid line width
  • Row padding: Space between rows.
format-power-bi-matrix-5-1661273

As you can see from the below screenshot, w changed the grid color to gold, the grid thickness to 2, and the row fill to 10

  • Outline color: Color after header and row group. We are using the default green as the outline color.
  • Outline Weight: Matrix line width. We change the line stroke to 4
  • Text size: Font size of table values. Let me change the text size to 9
format-power-bi-matrix-6-5535228

As you can see in the following screenshot, we enabled the vertical grid and assigned some random colors.

  • Vert Grid Color: Change the color of a vertical matrix grid.
  • Vert Grid Grid: Matrix vertical grid line stroke or width
format-power-bi-matrix-7-6973036

To adjust the space, we rename the column names in the values section. As you can see, we changed the names of Sales Amount as Sales and Total Product Cost as Cost

format-power-bi-matrix-8-5869187

Format column headings in a matrix in Power BI

This section is for altering the header colors. As you can see in the screenshot below, we changed the font color to white, the background color to green. Next, Font Family to Cambria, Outline to Top + Bottom (Outline added to the top and bottom of a header), Text size to 15, and header text to center alignment.

format-power-bi-matrix-9-9798910

Format the row headers of an array in Power BI

This section is used to modify or format the Row Headings section. Here, we change the font color to white, the background color to red, the outline to the top + the bottom (the outline was added to the top and bottom of each row), the font family to Cambria , the text size to 15 and the alignment of the text to the center.

format-power-bi-matrix-10-9333172

However, as you can see from the screenshot above, we changed the background color of the total rows (row headers), only the total background color has changed. Is for he Banded row style property that we explain in the next step

Format values in an array in Power BI

You can use this section to change the Matrix values. As you can see in the screenshot below, we changed the font colors and the background color of the odd and even rows.

format-power-bi-matrix-11-7558286

Banded row style: By default, it is enabled. It means that the row header color will be the same as the remaining row fields.

Let me turn this off. Change the background color of the row header to purple. It is because we applied this color in the previous step, that is, Row headers section

format-power-bi-matrix-12-6742927

Show in rows: Enabling this option shows totals in rows

format-power-bi-matrix-13-2326826

As you can see we removed the outline and changed the font to Cambria and the text size to 13

format-power-bi-matrix-14-9805480

Format matrix subtotals in Power BI

Use this Subtotal section to modify the text and the background color of the subtotals. By toggling row subtotals and column subtotals to Off, you can remove totals entirely.

format-power-bi-matrix-15-3105318

Format the grand total of a matrix in Power BI

Use this Grand total section to modify the text and background color of Total. As you can see in the following screenshot, we changed the Totals font color to white, the background color to purple, the font family to Cambria, and the text size to 14.

format-power-bi-matrix-16-8639565

Apply to labels: Toggling this option to On applies the background color to the total header. As you can see, Power Bi has changed the background color of a header text from Total

format-power-bi-matrix-17-2993270

Format Power BI Matrix - Field Format

Use this section to format individual columns in a matrix.

format-power-bi-matrix-18-8903385

For example, you can use this section to assign a completely different color to a column. Here, we are selecting Sales.

format-power-bi-matrix-19-1691377

For the purpose of the Format Power BI Matrix demo, we changed the background color to Pink for this column only.

format-power-bi-matrix-20-3511469

Format Power BI Matrix - Conditional Formatting

Use this section to format metric (numeric) columns in a matrix. For example, adding a background color to an entire column or adding data bars, etc. We will write a separate article to explain these settings.

format-power-bi-matrix-21-7285927

Format the Power BI Matrix title

By toggling the Matrix option Off to In, you can enable the Matrix title.

In the screenshot below, you can see that we added the title text as Sales vs. Total product cost by product color and occupancy. Next, we change the font color to green, the font family to Georgia, the text size to 25, and the heading to center alignment. If you want, you can also add the background color to the Matrix title.

format-power-bi-matrix-22-1967675

Format Power BI Matrix Borders and Background Color

You can add a background color to an array by toggling Background option a In. For Format Matrix demonstration purpose, we added a pale yellow color with a 34% of transparency.

Similarly, by toggling Border option of Off to In, you can add borders to an array.

format-power-bi-matrix-23-8985775

How to format the Power BI Matrix report with an example? The Power BI Formatting Matrix includes changing the matrix grid colors, row formatting, column formatting, row and column colors, matrix title text, and background color, etc.

To demonstrate these Power BI matrix formatting options, we'll use the matrix we created earlier. See the article Create a matrix in Power BI to understand the steps required to create a Power BI matrix.

How to format Power BI Matrix

Click on the Format to see the list of Matrix formatting options that are available in Power BI.

format-power-bi-matrix-1-7427738

Format General Power BI Matrix Settings

Use this general section to change the X, Y position, width and height of an array

format-power-bi-matrix-2-7082894

Format Power BI Matrix Style

In the following screenshot, you can see the list of styles that are available to design this Matrix. Select any style according to your needs.

format-power-bi-matrix-3-7554501

For now, we are selecting the Alternate rows option from the drop-down list. Add alternate row colors and add black to header, subtotals, and grand totals.

format-power-bi-matrix-4-8324894

The following is the list of options available to format the Power BI matrix grid.

  • Vert Grid: Toggling this property from Off to On adds the vertical grid to the matrix. Nothing more than to enable the vertical line to separate each column.
  • Horiz Grid: Add horizontal grid. Nothing more than enabling the horizontal line to separate each row.
  • Horizontal Grid Color: Changing the color of a horizontal matrix grid.
  • Horizontal grid thickness: Matrix horizontal grid line width
  • Row padding: Space between rows.
format-power-bi-matrix-5-1661273

As you can see from the below screenshot, w changed the grid color to gold, the grid thickness to 2, and the row fill to 10

  • Outline color: Color after header and row group. We are using the default green as the outline color.
  • Outline Weight: Matrix line width. We change the line stroke to 4
  • Text size: Font size of table values. Let me change the text size to 9
format-power-bi-matrix-6-5535228

As you can see in the following screenshot, we enabled the vertical grid and assigned some random colors.

  • Vert Grid Color: Change the color of a vertical matrix grid.
  • Vert Grid Grid: Matrix vertical grid line stroke or width
format-power-bi-matrix-7-6973036

To adjust the space, we rename the column names in the values section. As you can see, we changed the names of Sales Amount as Sales and Total Product Cost as Cost

format-power-bi-matrix-8-5869187

Format column headings in a matrix in Power BI

This section is for altering the header colors. As you can see in the screenshot below, we changed the font color to white, the background color to green. Next, Font Family to Cambria, Outline to Top + Bottom (Outline added to the top and bottom of a header), Text size to 15, and header text to center alignment.

format-power-bi-matrix-9-9798910

Format the row headers of an array in Power BI

This section is used to modify or format the Row Headings section. Here, we change the font color to white, the background color to red, the outline to the top + the bottom (the outline was added to the top and bottom of each row), the font family to Cambria , the text size to 15 and the alignment of the text to the center.

format-power-bi-matrix-10-9734839

However, as you can see from the screenshot above, we changed the background color of the total rows (row headers), only the total background color has changed. Is for he Banded row style property that we explain in the next step

Format values in an array in Power BI

You can use this section to change the Matrix values. As you can see in the screenshot below, we changed the font colors and the background color of the odd and even rows.

format-power-bi-matrix-11-6139716

Banded row style: By default, it is enabled. It means that the row header color will be the same as the remaining row fields.

Let me turn this off. Change the background color of the row header to purple. It is because we applied this color in the previous step, that is, Row headers section

format-power-bi-matrix-12-5535590

Show in rows: Enabling this option shows totals in rows

format-power-bi-matrix-13-4869197

As you can see we removed the outline and changed the font to Cambria and the text size to 13

format-power-bi-matrix-14-7204967

Format matrix subtotals in Power BI

Use this Subtotal section to modify the text and the background color of the subtotals. By toggling row subtotals and column subtotals to Off, you can remove totals entirely.

format-power-bi-matrix-15-5045780

Format the grand total of a matrix in Power BI

Use this Grand total section to modify the text and background color of Total. As you can see in the following screenshot, we changed the Totals font color to white, the background color to purple, the font family to Cambria, and the text size to 14.

format-power-bi-matrix-16-2069224

Apply to labels: Toggling this option to On applies the background color to the total header. As you can see, Power Bi has changed the background color of a header text from Total

format-power-bi-matrix-17-5903151

Format Power BI Matrix - Field Format

Use this section to format individual columns in a matrix.

format-power-bi-matrix-18-3658840

For example, you can use this section to assign a completely different color to a column. Here, we are selecting Sales.

format-power-bi-matrix-19-1691377

For the purpose of the Format Power BI Matrix demo, we changed the background color to Pink for this column only.

format-power-bi-matrix-20-9580377

Format Power BI Matrix - Conditional Formatting

Use this section to format metric (numeric) columns in a matrix. For example, adding a background color to an entire column or adding data bars, etc. We will write a separate article to explain these settings.

format-power-bi-matrix-21-7285927

Format the Power BI Matrix title

By toggling the Matrix option Off to In, you can enable the Matrix title.

In the screenshot below, you can see that we added the title text as Sales vs. Total product cost by product color and occupancy. Next, we change the font color to green, the font family to Georgia, the text size to 25, and the heading to center alignment. If you want, you can also add the background color to the Matrix title.

format-power-bi-matrix-22-4133124

Format Power BI Matrix Borders and Background Color

You can add a background color to an array by toggling Background option a In. For Format Matrix demonstration purpose, we added a pale yellow color with a 34% of transparency.

Similarly, by toggling Border option of Off to In, you can add borders to an array.

format-power-bi-matrix-23-8706998
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