14. Visuals and Their Formatting
14.14 Card, Card (new) and Multi-row Card
Quick answer: the short, self-contained version of this lesson is the guide Power BI KPI, Card and Scorecard.
Start with a problem
Rani's first screen should show the headline numbers before any chart: sales, orders, AOV and the delivery promise.
Explain simply
A card shows one number. Card (new) can show several measures in one visual with shared formatting. A multi-row card lists several values per row.
Show the data
| KPI | Value | Hand calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sales | ₹2,100 | 400+200+300+150+450+250+350+0 |
| Orders | 8 | 301 to 308 |
| Delivered orders | 7 | all except 308 |
| AOV | ₹300 | 2,100 ÷ 7 |
| % under 10 min | 42.9% | 3 ÷ 7 (301, 304, 305) |
| Cancellation rate | 12.5% | 1 ÷ 8 |
About this data: This table uses columns: KPI, Value, Hand calculation. This table uses columns: Visual, Use for, Field wells. This table uses columns: Wrong result, Reason, Correction. Values shown are the lesson examples already on this page (not a new dataset).
Fictional sample data. Practice file: visuals_orders_apr_may_2026.csv (source: src/practice/).
Demonstrate
- Create the measures:
Total Sales,Total Orders = COUNTROWS(Orders),Delivered Orders,AOV = DIVIDE([Total Sales], [Delivered Orders]),% Under 10. - Insert Card: Fields
Total Sales. Format › Callout value › Display units None. - Insert Card (new) and add
Total Orders,AOVand% Under 10. - Align the cards at the top of the page.
Show the result
Your result should look like this (fictional sample):
| KPI | Value | Hand calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sales | ₹2,100 | 400+200+300+150+450+250+350+0 |
| Orders | 8 | 301 to 308 |
| Delivered orders | 7 | all except 308 |
| AOV | ₹300 | 2,100 ÷ 7 |
| % under 10 min | 42.9% | 3 ÷ 7 (301, 304, 305) |
| Cancellation rate | 12.5% | 1 ÷ 8 |
Explain what happened
A card has no axis, so every measure is evaluated with only the page and slicer filters – the whole dataset here.
Explore further
- Add a reference label (where available) for vs target.
- Use the same number format on every card.
Detailed reference for this lesson:
| Visual | Use for | Field wells |
|---|---|---|
| Card | One big KPI number | Fields |
| Card (new) | One or several KPIs in one visual, with reference labels and images | Data (one or more measures) and options depending on version |
| Multi-row card | Several values listed per category (e.g. per city) | Fields |
Examples: Card = Total Sales (₹). Card (new) = Total Orders, AOV, Avg Delivery Time and Cancellation Rate side by side, with a reference label "vs last month" under each. Multi-row card = City, Total Orders, AOV.
Key formatting: Callout value (font, size, colour, Display units Auto/Thousands/Millions, decimal places), Category label (on/off, text), for Card (new): Layout (arrangement, cards per row), Callout values, Reference labels (title, value, detail), Cards (background, border, accent bar), Image. Every colour has an fx button for conditional formatting (Module 20).
Card label trick
Turn off the Category label and use the General › Title instead, with fx for a dynamic title (Module 20.2).
Ravindra Bagale's Tip
A common mistake with cards is showing a number without context, for example "₹ 4.2L" with no period or comparison. Add a clear label, the period in the title, and if possible a comparison (vs last month). Check that the display units (thousands, lakhs, millions) are consistent across cards. It's very simple – just make it a habit.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – मराठी
Card मधली एक common चूक म्हणजे context शिवाय number दाखवणं, उदाहरणार्थ period किंवा तुलना नसलेलं "₹ 4.2L". स्पष्ट label, title मध्ये period, आणि शक्य असेल तर तुलना (vs last month) जोडा. सगळ्या cards वर display units (thousands, lakhs, millions) सारखे आहेत ना हे चेक करा. एकदम simple आहे, फक्त सवय लावून घ्या.
Ravindra Bagale's Tip – हिंदी
Card की एक common गलती है बिना context के number दिखाना, जैसे बिना period या तुलना के "₹ 4.2L". साफ़ label, title में period, और हो सके तो तुलना (vs last month) जोड़ो. Check करो कि सभी cards पर display units (thousands, lakhs, millions) एक जैसे हों. बहुत आसान है, बस आदत बना लो.
Fix common mistakes
| Wrong result | Reason | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| AOV shows ₹262.50 | Divided by all 8 orders | Divide by delivered orders (7) → ₹300 – agree the definition first |
| Card shows First City | A text column dropped into a card | Use a measure, or SELECTEDVALUE for a label |
| Cards show 2.1K | Auto display units | Set Display units None |
Practise independently
Practice task
Add a slicer on City and select Nashik. What do the four cards show?
Hints
- Nashik orders 303, 304, 307 – all delivered.
Solution
Total Sales ₹800, Orders 3, AOV ₹266.67 (800 ÷ 3), % Under 10 33.3%.
Think like a professional
Card definitions are where arguments start (is AOV per order or per delivered order?). Write the definition in the measure description and on a definitions page.
Revision card