Business Intelligence, Data Visualization, Microsoft Certification, PL-300, Power BI

Configure Drill-Through Navigation (PL-300 Exam Prep)

 
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%)
   --> Enhance reports for usability and storytelling
      --> Configure Drill-Through Navigation

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.

Overview

Drill-through navigation in Power BI allows users to move from a summary visual to a detail page while automatically passing filter context. It is a core storytelling and usability feature tested in the PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst exam, especially in scenario-based questions.

What Is Drill-Through Navigation?

Drill-through enables users to:

  • Right-click a data point in a visual
  • Navigate to another report page
  • Automatically filter that page based on the selected value(s)

It answers questions like:

“Show me the details behind this number.”

Key Characteristics of Drill-Through

  • Works between report pages
  • Passes filter context automatically
  • Requires a dedicated drill-through page
  • Triggered via right-click, button, or visual interaction
  • Can be combined with buttons and bookmarks

How to Configure Drill-Through

Step-by-Step Setup

  1. Create a new report page (often a detail page)
  2. In the Drill-through section of the Filters pane:
    • Drag one or more fields into the Drill-through filters
  3. Add visuals that use the same fields
  4. (Optional) Add a Back button for navigation

Once configured, users can right-click supported visuals and select Drill through → Page name.

Drill-Through Filters (Critical Exam Topic)

How They Work

  • Fields placed in the Drill-through filter area define:
    • What values can be passed
    • Which visuals can trigger the drill-through

Important Rules

  • The source visual must contain at least one matching field
  • Multiple fields can be used for compound filtering
  • Drill-through filters are applied in addition to page-level filters

Drill-Through vs Other Navigation Methods

FeaturePurpose
Page navigationMove between pages (no context)
BookmarksSave visual states
Drill-throughNavigate with filter context
TooltipsShow additional details inline

Exam insight:
Drill-through is the only navigation method that automatically passes filter context between pages.

Using Buttons for Drill-Through

Drill-through does not have to rely on right-click menus.

Button Configuration

  • Add a button
  • Set Action to Drill through
  • Choose the target page
  • (Optional) Enable Keep all filters

This creates a more intuitive and touch-friendly experience.

The Back Button

Power BI can automatically create a Back button on drill-through pages.

  • Returns users to the source page
  • Preserves filter context
  • Strongly recommended for usability

PL-300 best practice:
Always include a Back button on drill-through pages.

Passing All Filters

The Keep all filters option determines whether:

  • Only drill-through fields are passed
  • Or all active filters and slicers are passed

Exam scenario:
Use Keep all filters when full analytical context must be preserved.

Common Use Cases

  • Summary → transaction-level detail
  • KPI → supporting breakdowns
  • Regional overview → store-level performance
  • Product totals → individual sales records

Limitations and Rules (Exam-Relevant)

  • Drill-through works only within the same report
  • Does not work across datasets
  • Requires matching fields between visuals
  • Not supported directly on all visual types
  • Cannot drill-through from a Card visual

Common PL-300 Exam Pitfalls

  • Confusing drill-through with page navigation
  • Forgetting to add drill-through fields
  • Expecting drill-through to work without matching fields
  • Omitting the Back button
  • Assuming drill-through preserves all filters by default

Best Practices for PL-300

  • Clearly label drill-through pages
  • Use descriptive page names
  • Add instructional text (“Right-click to view details”)
  • Include a Back button
  • Limit drill-through fields to what’s necessary

PL-300 Key Takeaways

You should be able to:

  • Configure drill-through pages
  • Select appropriate drill-through fields
  • Explain how filter context is passed
  • Compare drill-through with other navigation methods
  • Apply drill-through to enhance storytelling

Practice Questions

Go to the Practice Questions for this topic.

Leave a comment