5 Design Patterns for Better Looking Reports

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

Designing great Power BI reports doesn’t have to be hard. Join us to explore clear, repeatable steps that make your reports consistent, functional, and user-friendly.

Session Details

Power BI design can feel like an art form, almost mythical to many IT professionals. Most of us think very analytically about our work, and creativity doesn’t always come naturally. The good news is that design doesn’t have to be mysterious. In this 20-minute session, we’ll look at practical patterns and simple steps you can follow to create reports that are clean, uncluttered, and easy to use. You’ll learn the science behind good design and how to apply a logical process that makes your reports both functional and visually appealing.

3 things you'll get out of this session

A repeatable design process for creating Power BI reports that are consistent and easy to maintain. Practical patterns and tips to make reports clean, uncluttered, and user-friendly. An understanding of the science behind good design so creativity feels less intimidating and more structured.

James McGillivray's other proposed sessions for 2026

From Ranking to Rolling Totals: Windowing Functions Explained - 2026

Seconds to Save Lives: Real World Real-Time Intelligence with Fabric - 2026

Solving Real Business Challenges with DAX - 2026

Super Simple Fabric Workloads Make You Feel Precocious - 2026

The Force Awakens: Charting Your Career Path with the Data Community - 2026

Turning Data Into Stories People Remember - 2026

Understanding DAX Through Pictures - Part 1 - 2026

Understanding DAX Through Pictures - Part 2 - 2026

YMCA: You Must Consider Accessibility - 2026

Same Words, Different Worlds: Communication Across Domains, Roles and Ranks - 2026

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