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How to Add a Background Image to a Power BI Report Page
Question details
The user wants to add a custom background image to a Power BI report page and ensure that the image is included when the report is exported to a PDF file.
- Product
- Power BI
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing the aesthetics of a Power BI report and preparing it for sharing via PDF export.
- Observed behavior
- When users apply an image using the 'Wallpaper' setting, the image is often excluded during PDF export. They need the proper method to apply a page-level image that remains visible in the final PDF.
Ensure you are using the latest version of Power BI Desktop and have your background image saved locally on your computer.
Use the Canvas Background Setting in Power BI
Apply your image directly to the 'Canvas background' instead of the 'Wallpaper' to ensure it is fully included when you export your report to PDF.
Power BI offers two distinct areas for background customization: the Wallpaper (the area outside the report page) and the Canvas background (the actual report page area). When exporting to PDF, Power BI typically ignores the Wallpaper. Therefore, to ensure your background is visible in the exported document, it must be applied to the Canvas background.
Open your report in Power BI Desktop. Click on a blank, empty space on the report canvas to ensure that no specific charts, tables, or visuals are actively selected.
Navigate to the 'Visualizations' pane on the right side of the screen. Click on the 'Format your report page' icon, which resembles a paint roller or a paintbrush with a canvas.
Locate and expand the 'Canvas background' (or 'Page background' in some older versions) dropdown menu. Click the 'Browse' or 'Add Image' button to select your image file from your computer.
Once the image is uploaded, it might initially appear invisible if transparency is set to 100%. Lower the 'Transparency' slider until the image is visible. Finally, change the 'Image Fit' setting from 'Normal' to 'Fit' or 'Fill' so the image seamlessly covers the entire report page behind your visuals.
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- 1. Download and install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
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- 3. Customize and export: Add professional background images to your slides or sheets, and use the built-in PDF tool to export your work perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my background image not showing up when I export my Power BI report to PDF?
This happens if the image was applied using the 'Wallpaper' setting rather than the 'Canvas background' setting. Power BI excludes wallpapers during PDF exports. To fix this, remove the image from the Wallpaper section and upload it under Canvas background.
Why can't I see the Canvas background option in the Visualizations pane?
You likely have a specific visual (like a graph or table) selected on your report. The Format pane is contextual and will only show page-level settings like Canvas background if you click on a completely blank area of the report page first.
How do I make my uploaded background image fit perfectly on the Power BI report page?
After uploading the image in the Canvas background menu, locate the 'Image Fit' dropdown. Change it from 'Normal' to 'Fit' (to keep aspect ratio without cropping) or 'Fill' (to stretch and cover the entire canvas).
