Report Development Tips and Tricks for
New Report Creators

Process

This guide is for new CORE report developers who want to build clean, useful, and visually aligned reports—without needing advanced skills.

Start with a Solid Foundation

• Know Your Purpose - What question is your report answering? Build around that.

• Use Clean Data - Group similar items, remove duplicates, and keep it simple.

• Avoid Overload - Use fewer columns and rows to help your report run faster.

Build Smart Calculations (No Coding Required)

• Use Built-In Features - Totals, averages, percentages—Power BI does the math for you.

• Keep It Simple - Start with basic visuals. Ask for help if formulas get tricky.

• Tooltips Help - Hovering over visuals shows extra info without clutter.

Design for Clarity

• Use Clear Titles - Every chart should explain what it’s showing.

• Limit Visuals Per Page - Stick to 6–8 visuals max to avoid overwhelming users.

Choose the Right Chart

Use When You Want to.... Chart Type

Compare categories Bar/Column

Show changes over time Line

Show parts of a whole Donut/Pie

Make It Interactive

• Add Filters & Slicers - Let users explore data by region, time, or category.

• Use Buttons - Create simple navigation like “Go Back” or “Reset Filters.”

• Keep It Intuitive - Test your report like a user—can they find what they need?

Keep It Fast & Clean

• Avoid Too Much Detail - Summarize where you can—don’t show every number.

• Use Fewer Pages - Combine related info into one page when possible.

• Hide Unused Fields - Clean up your field list for easier management.

Final Checklist Before You Share

• Preview in full-screen and test all buttons.  Check spelling and titles.  Make sure filters work correctly.  Ask a teammate to review it.