1. Getting Started
The Time Intelligence Bar Chart is a Power BI custom visual built for faster trend analysis, period comparisons, and business-ready reporting.
Quick start: Add a Date field and a Measure, then use the control bar to switch between monthly, quarterly, and yearly views.
- Compare current performance against the previous period
- Analyze monthly, quarterly, or yearly trends
- Apply filters by year, quarter, and month
- Customize charts with high-contrast and keyboard-friendly controls
- Use the visual free forever with no paid plan required
2. Installation
Install from Microsoft AppSource
- Open Power BI Desktop or Power BI Service.
- Go to the Visualizations pane.
- Click the ellipsis menu and select Get more visuals.
- Search for Time Intelligence Bar Chart.
- Select the visual and click Add.
Import from file
- Download the .pbiviz file.
- Open Power BI Desktop.
- Use Import a visual from a file.
- Select the downloaded file and click OK.
Note: Visuals installed from file may show a security warning. This is expected for custom visuals outside AppSource.
3. Data Requirements
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Date / DateTime | Yes | Use a real date column for proper time aggregation. |
| Values | Numeric measure | Yes | Examples: Sales, Revenue, Quantity, Headcount. |
| Tooltips | Any | Optional | Extra fields for extra context in hover details. |
Best practice: Convert text dates to a proper Date type in Power Query before using the visual.
4. Key Features
Interactive time controls
- Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly, and YTD views
- Quarter and month filtering
- Comparison against previous period and same period last year
Period summary
- Highest and lowest value
- Total and average
- Change percentage versus previous period
Customization
- Chart orientation and spacing options
- Data label controls
- Legend, axes, and background styling
- Error bars and trend lines
- High-contrast and accessible mode support
5. Usage Guide
- Add the visual to the report canvas.
- Drag a Date field to the Date well.
- Drag a numeric measure to the Values well.
- Pick the visible time period from the control bar.
- Choose a comparison mode from the dropdown.
Result: The chart updates with current-period bars and optional comparison bars for context.
6. Troubleshooting
No data is showing
- Check that both the Date and Values fields are mapped.
- Verify the date column is not stored as text.
- Reset filters to show all values.
Comparison is missing
- Ensure at least two time periods are available in the dataset.
- Check the selected comparison option in the control bar.
Visual feels slow
- Reduce the dataset to the needed granularity.
- Disable animations for large datasets.
- Pre-aggregate data before loading it into the report.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Does it work in Power BI Service?
Yes. Once added from AppSource, it works in both Power BI Desktop and Power BI Service.
Does it require a paid license?
No. The visual is free forever and does not require a license key.
Is it accessible?
Yes. It includes keyboard support, high-contrast compatibility, and accessible labels.
Can I use fiscal calendars?
Yes. You can configure the fiscal year start in the format pane when needed.
8. Accessibility Features
- Keyboard navigation support
- Clear focus outline for interactive elements
- High-contrast mode compatibility
- Readable labels and tooltip text
9. Performance Tips
- Use a proper Date dimension table.
- Pre-aggregate the data when possible.
- Only load necessary columns.
- Disable animation for large or dense views.
10. Contact Support
Email: dev@vizhawk.com
Website: vizhawk.com
Documentation: Documentation
Response time: Usually within 24–48 business hours.