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How to Build an Employee Recognition Board with SharePoint and Power BI

WPS Editor Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to create an employee recognition board to display shout-outs and connect a SharePoint List to the web version of Power BI.

How to Build an Employee Recognition Board with SharePoint and Power BI

Product: SharePoint and Power BI
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Creating a wall-of-fame or recognition board for employees and analyzing the submission data online without using desktop software.
Observed behavior: Needs instructions on setting up the SharePoint List structure and successfully connecting it to Power BI Web, as the Power BI Desktop app is unavailable for Mac users.

Before you start

Ensure you have permission to create lists within your SharePoint site and that your organizational account has access to the Power BI web application (app.powerbi.com).

Solution 1Recommended

Create a SharePoint List and Connect to Power BI Web

This method establishes a structured SharePoint List to collect employee achievements and links it directly to the Power BI web app, making it fully accessible for Mac users.

By utilizing SharePoint's native list features, you can capture detailed shout-outs and format them visually. Connecting this list directly to the Power BI web interface allows for seamless data reporting without needing the Power BI Desktop application.

Set up the SharePoint List

Navigate to your SharePoint site, click 'New', and select 'List'. Add specific columns such as Employee Name, Profile Image, Award Type, Achievement, Date, and Description.

Customize the visual layout

Use SharePoint's view formatting feature with JSON, or implement a custom web part, to transform the standard list into a visual 'wall-of-fame' or gallery layout.

Create a submission form

Allow users to submit their shout-outs directly through the default SharePoint list form or by integrating a Microsoft Form.

Open Power BI Web

Open your web browser and navigate to https://app.powerbi.com/. Log in with your organizational credentials.

Connect your data source

Click on 'Create' to start a new report, select SharePoint as your data source, and paste your SharePoint site URL and the exact List name to establish the connection.

Create a SharePoint List and Connect to Power BI Web

Enhance searchability: Consider using PnP custom search web parts in SharePoint to make your long list of employee achievements easily searchable by name or business unit.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Power BI Desktop on a Mac?

Microsoft does not currently offer a native Power BI Desktop app for macOS. Mac users must rely on the Power BI Web version (app.powerbi.com) or run Windows via virtualization software like Parallels or Boot Camp to use the desktop application.

How can I make my SharePoint employee list look like a visual board?

You can use SharePoint's built-in view formatting. By applying JSON formatting to your list view, you can change it from a standard row-and-column table into a custom gallery or 'wall-of-fame' layout that highlights profile pictures and achievements.

Can users submit shout-outs without having full access to edit the SharePoint list?

Yes. A common best practice is to create a Microsoft Form where employees can submit their shout-outs. You can then use Power Automate to automatically take the form responses and create new items in your SharePoint List.

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