This post is a part of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Exam Prep Hub; and this topic falls under these sections:
Visualize and analyze the data (25–30%)
   --> Create reports
      --> Apply and Customize a Theme

Note that there are 10 practice questions (with answers and explanations) at the end of each topic. Also, there are 2 practice tests with 60 questions each available on the hub below all the exam topics.

---

Where This Topic Fits in the Exam

“Apply and customize a theme” is a foundational skill under the Visualize and analyze the data → Create reports domain of the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst exam. This objective tests your ability to use report themes to ensure consistent visual design and branding in a Power BI report. Microsoft Learn

Themes define a set of default formatting properties—such as colors, fonts, and visual styles—that apply across all visuals in a report. Proper use of themes helps deliver reports that are both professional and aligned with organizational standards.

---

What a Report Theme Is

In Power BI, a report theme is a collection of default styling settings that control the appearance of a report’s visuals. When applied, the theme affects:

• Palette of data colors used in charts and visuals
• Font families and font sizes
• Backgrounds and borders
• Default visual formatting settings
• Structural elements such as headers and filter panes Microsoft Learn

Using a theme ensures all visuals follow a consistent design language without manually formatting each element.

---

Applying a Built-In Theme

Power BI Desktop includes a selection of built-in themes accessible from the View Ribbon:

1. Open Power BI Desktop.
2. Select the View tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Themes section, choose from the built-in themes dropdown.

The available themes include standard options such as Default, City Park, Color Blind Safe, Electric, High Contrast, Sunset, and others. Selecting one instantly updates the colors, fonts, and default visual styles throughout the report. Microsoft Learn

Why this matters for the exam:
Recognizing where and how to select a theme from the interface is a basic task that demonstrates you can apply consistent styling without manual formatting of each visual.

---

Customizing a Theme

You can go beyond the built-in options by customizing themes in two primary ways:

1. Using the Theme Customization Dialog

Power BI Desktop offers a Customize current theme dialog that allows you to adjust:

• Color palettes (data colors, sentiment/divergent colors)
• Text settings (font family, sizes, and colors)
• Visual element defaults (backgrounds, borders, headers)
• Page elements (background color, wallpaper)
• Filter pane styles Microsoft Learn

After customizing a built-in theme to your preferences, you can save it as a custom theme to apply to this report and reuse later.

---

2. Importing a JSON Theme File

For finer control or organizational standards, you can create or import a JSON theme file:

1. Go to the View tab.
2. Open the Themes dropdown.
3. Select Browse for themes and locate your .json file.
4. Import the file to apply the custom theme. Microsoft Learn+1

A custom JSON theme defines properties such as dataColors, textClasses, and visualStyles, giving you granular control over visuals’ default appearance. For example, you can specify a corporate color palette, default font styles, and presets for specific visual types. Microsoft Learn

Why this matters for the exam:
Understanding when to apply a JSON theme vs. using the built-in themes shows you can meet advanced formatting requirements, such as corporate branding compliance.

---

Organizational Themes (Preview Feature)

Power BI supports organizational themes, which allow administrators to centrally manage and distribute custom report themes across an organization. Once uploaded by an administrator, these themes appear in the theme gallery for report creators to apply. Microsoft Learn

This feature supports governance and ensures visual consistency when reports are created by multiple authors. While organizational themes are a preview feature, the concept may appear in scenario-based exam questions focusing on enterprise reporting standards.

---

Best Practices for Theme Usage

When preparing for the exam and building real reports:

• Start with a theme before manually formatting visuals—this saves time and ensures consistency.
• Use custom themes when reports must follow branding guidelines or accessibility standards.
• Avoid conflicting overrides: Manually formatted visuals may override theme defaults, which can reduce visual consistency.
• Test imported themes in a sample report to verify they apply as expected.

From an exam perspective, questions may describe a requirement (e.g., “use corporate branding and colors in all report visuals”), and the correct response will involve applying or customizing a theme.

---

Exam Focus

On the PL-300, you might see:

• Scenario questions that require selecting the correct method to apply a built-in or custom theme.
• Distinguishing between built-in themes and JSON theme files.
• Understanding theme implications on visual formatting (e.g., consistent palette, font settings).
• Recognizing when to use organizational themes vs. report-specific themes.

These questions test your conceptual understanding of how themes support consistent, usable reports and your ability to apply them correctly in the Power BI interface.

---

Summary

Applying and customizing a theme in Power BI is a core skill for producing visually consistent, branded, and accessible reports. Skills you should be comfortable with include:

• Selecting built-in themes from Power BI Desktop
• Customizing themes using the theme dialog
• Importing and applying JSON theme files
• Understanding the role of themes in corporate reporting standards

Mastering these skills strengthens your ability to design professional reports and positions you to answer theme-related questions confidently on the PL-300 exam. Microsoft Learn

---

Practice Questions

Go to the practice questions for this topic.