Switch between reading and editing modes

The Intelligence ribbon provides key tools to sync underlying data, annotate report visuals, export high-resolution content, explore data structure models, manage bookmarks, and reset view configurations, even in reading mode.

In this article, you learn how to:

• Switch between reading and editing modes
• Reading view options in the Intelligence ribbon
• Editing view options in the Intelligence ribbon

Toggle reading and editing modes#

Use editing mode to create or edit reports and dashboards. You'll also see various ribbons such as chart-specific or visual-specific ribbons, and advanced design and formatting options in editing mode.

Reading mode is intended for viewers and primarily provides options for analysis and collaboration. For example, the Data ribbon in a Matrix visual has options to insert rows and columns in editing mode; however, these options are disabled in reading mode.

To switch from reading to editing mode, select the Reading button and select the Editing option.

Refresh Data#

Select Refresh Data to reload the report or dashboard with the latest dataset from the underlying semantic model.

• Purpose: Ensures metrics, tables, and visuals reflect real-time or newly ingested data.
• When to use: Use this option if the source database has been updated while you are actively viewing or presenting the dashboard.

Notes#

Select Notes to collaborate or mark up the active view:

• Add Notes: Attach text annotations directly to visuals or dashboard sections to provide context, call out anomalies, or leave feedback for team members.
• Marker Mode: Activate marker mode during live presentations to draw or highlight key areas of interest directly on the dashboard screen without permanently editing the underlying report structure.
• View all Notes / Hide All Notes: Select the respective options to show or hide notes in the report.

Export content#

Select Export to generate high-resolution file outputs of the report view. Export to PNG, JPG, or PDF files to capture a crisp, high-resolution snapshot image of the current dashboard view. This option is ideal for slide decks, documentation, or emailing report updates.

Explore model#

Select Explore Model to inspect the architecture powering your analytics in reading mode.

• Dataset visibility: Browse the specific tables, measures, and dimensions built into the semantic model.
• Auditing & analysis: Helps report creators and analyst users verify how calculated metrics are defined and understand the underlying data relationships.

Settings#

Select Settings to access configuration controls for each visual and select custom presentation views.

• Bookmark management: Use bookmarks to save specific states of your report, including applied filters, visual focus, and layout configurations. Enable the Bookmark toggle to access public bookmarks and create private ones.

• Personalize visuals: In Reading mode, you can switch between various chart types or visual types such as charts, cards, tables, and matrices and tailor the corresponding data assignments. Enable the Personalize switch under Settings to change the visual type and data.

1. Select the visual and select the Edit icon to personalize.

2. Select the arrow icon to change the visualization type or chart family. In this example, you change the Line chart to a Matrix visual.

3. Select the arrow icon corresponding to a row or column dimension or measure to change it to another one. Select the plus (+) icon to add a new dimension or measure.

Reset to default#

Select Reset to Default to instantly restore the report or dashboard to its original, published state.

• Action: Clears all session-based changes, including applied slicers/filters, drawn marker annotations, added notes, and changes made using the personalize option.
• When to use: Ideal when starting a new analysis session or returning to the base view after live interactions.

Canvas#

Select Canvas to open page-level customization settings such as size, borders, and themes. This option is enabled only in editing mode.

• General: Apply canvas-level formatting and structure, including borders, wallpaper, background styles, and enabling grid lines.
• Layers: Group, hide, or reorder elements on the canvas (such as bringing items forward or sending them to the back).
• Themes: Customize the report appearance by applying a prebuilt color scheme, creating a custom scheme, or importing a theme.

Layout#

Customize individual elements with the options in the Layout tabs.

• General: Customize properties such as the height, width, position, border, shadow, and tooltip for the selected element.
• Interactions: Control whether the selected element can cross-highlight or cross-filter other elements. For more information, see Edit interactions.
• Sync Slicer: The slicer selections for one page of the plan can automatically sync the selections in other pages.

Elements#

Use this option in editing mode to insert shapes, images, page navigators, and text boxes.

• Action: Insert visual and interactive elements including shapes, images, page navigators, buttons, and text boxes into the dashboard canvas.
• When to use: Use this option in editing mode to enrich your dashboard layout with supporting graphics, page navigation for multi-page reports, and explanatory text such as report summaries.

Edit interactions#

Control how other elements in your dashboard respond when you select a data point in a particular element. Elements can cross-filter or cross-highlight other elements in the dashboard. Select Edit Interactions, then select an element to see the interaction options

• Cross highlight: Selecting an element or category (such as a specific country or product) visually highlights the portion that corresponds to your selection while dimming the rest. In this example, you've configured the bar chart to cross-filter the other charts in the dashboard. When you select the Q2 > Specialty Bike Shop category, notice how the other charts are filtered to the selected data.

• Cross filter: Selecting an element actively filters out non-matching data across the selected charts or tables, updating the view to show only the rows, metrics, and categories relevant to your selection. In this example, the pie chart cross-filters the other elements.