For data consumers, getting a quick read on performance is critical. While cards and simple numbers are informative, a progress bar is a visual tool that indicates progress toward a goal or target in a way that’s quick to understand at a glance.
Why Progress Bars?
- Easy to Read: They allow non-technical users to grasp performance instantly. The visual fill communicates success or struggle more powerfully than a percentage alone.
- Compact: They efficiently convey information, taking up significantly less dashboard space than multiple separate KPIs or cards.
- Focus on Gap: They immediately highlight the gap remaining to achieve the target, driving user focus toward the necessary action.
Challenges to look out for:
To get the rounded look of the bars:
- Add Error Bars: On the same axis, add an Error Bar that is the same color as your progress bar.
- Adjust the Marker: Change the marker shape for this error bar to a circle.
- Maximize Size: Size the circle marker to the maximum possible size so that it perfectly caps the end of your bar.
2025 Week 26 | Power BI: Progress Bars – Workout Wednesday
Santhanalakshmi Ponnurasan