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

Design and Configure Power BI Reports for Accessibility (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
      --> Design and Configure Power BI Reports for Accessibility

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

Designing accessible Power BI reports ensures that all users—including those with disabilities—can perceive, understand, and interact with report content. Accessibility is a key aspect of report usability and storytelling, and Microsoft explicitly includes it in the PL-300 exam objectives.

This topic falls under:

Visualize and analyze the data (25–30%) → Enhance reports for usability and storytelling

For the exam, candidates must understand accessibility principles, Power BI accessibility features, and best practices for designing inclusive reports.

Why Accessibility Matters

Accessible reports:

  • Support users with visual, motor, or cognitive impairments
  • Comply with accessibility standards such as WCAG
  • Improve usability for all users, not just those with disabilities
  • Are increasingly required in enterprise and public-sector environments

Power BI includes built-in features to help report authors design inclusive experiences—but they must be intentionally configured.

Key Accessibility Principles in Power BI

Power BI accessibility aligns with four core principles:

  1. Perceivable – Information can be seen or heard
  2. Operable – Users can navigate using keyboard or assistive tools
  3. Understandable – Content is clear and predictable
  4. Robust – Compatible with assistive technologies (e.g., screen readers)

Using Alt Text for Visuals

What Is Alt Text?

Alternative text (Alt text) provides a textual description of a visual for users who rely on screen readers.

Best Practices

  • Describe the key insight, not just the visual type
  • Avoid redundant phrases like “This chart shows…”
  • Keep descriptions concise but meaningful

Where to Configure

Visual → Format pane → General → Alt text

Alt text is one of the most commonly tested accessibility features on the PL-300 exam.

Logical Tab Order

What Is Tab Order?

Tab order controls how users navigate visuals using a keyboard or assistive technology.

Why It Matters

Incorrect tab order can make reports confusing or unusable for keyboard-only users.

How to Configure

View → Selection pane → Tab order

Ensure visuals follow a logical reading order, typically top-to-bottom, left-to-right.

Color and Contrast Considerations

Avoid Using Color Alone

Do not rely solely on color to convey meaning (e.g., red vs green).

Instead:

  • Use labels
  • Use icons or shapes
  • Provide text explanations

Ensure Sufficient Contrast

  • Use high-contrast color combinations
  • Avoid light text on light backgrounds
  • Test with accessibility tools or Power BI themes designed for accessibility

Accessible Visual and Layout Choices

Recommended practices:

  • Use simple visuals where possible
  • Avoid cluttered layouts
  • Increase font size for readability
  • Use consistent formatting and labeling

Avoid:

  • Overlapping visuals
  • Dense tables or matrices without hierarchy
  • Excessive use of custom visuals without accessibility support

Titles, Labels, and Tooltips

  • Always use descriptive visual titles
  • Ensure axis labels are readable
  • Use tooltips to supplement, not replace, key information
  • Avoid vague titles like “Sales” or “Data Overview”

Clear labeling improves both accessibility and storytelling.

Screen Reader and Keyboard Support

Power BI supports:

  • Keyboard navigation
  • Screen readers such as Narrator, JAWS, and NVDA

To support this:

  • Configure tab order
  • Provide alt text
  • Avoid hiding important information behind hover-only interactions

Testing Accessibility in Power BI

Best practices include:

  • Navigating the report using keyboard only
  • Testing with screen readers
  • Reviewing color contrast
  • Using accessibility checker tools where available

Accessibility should be tested before publishing, not added as an afterthought.

Exam-Relevant Scenarios

You may encounter PL-300 questions involving:

  • Users who rely on screen readers
  • Keyboard-only navigation requirements
  • Reports for public or regulated audiences
  • Improving report usability without redesigning data models

In these cases, look for solutions involving:

  • Alt text
  • Tab order
  • Color contrast
  • Clear labeling

Key Exam Takeaways

  • Accessibility is part of report design, not data modeling
  • Alt text is critical for screen readers
  • Tab order controls keyboard navigation
  • Color should not be the only way information is conveyed
  • Accessible design improves overall user experience

Exam Tip

If a question mentions:

  • Screen readers
  • Keyboard navigation
  • Visually impaired users
  • Accessibility compliance

👉 The correct answer usually involves alt text, tab order, or visual design choices, not DAX or data modeling.

Summary

Designing and configuring Power BI reports for accessibility ensures inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly reporting experiences. For the PL-300 exam, focus on how accessibility features are configured, why they matter, and when to apply them in real-world scenarios.

Practice Questions

Go to the Practice Questions for this topic.

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