Power BI & NFC Tags (+ Video)
Reports & Workspaces at Your Fingertips
Imagine being able to access the exact Power BI report or workspace you need with just a tap on your phone. NFC tags make this possible, whether you’re checking inventory levels in a retail store, monitoring machinery performance on the factory floor, or gaining instant access to event dashboards.
By linking NFC tags to your Power BI reports or workspaces, you can enhance decision-making and streamline workflows by providing insights quickly and target-oriented.
What are NFC Tags?
NFC (Near Field Communication) tags are small, sticker-sized chips that enable nearby devices to exchange information by acting as triggers, activating specific actions like opening reports or workspaces in Power BI. You may have encountered them when making contactless payments or ticket scanning. What’s exciting is that you can program these tags to initiate specific actions, such as opening a Power BI report or even an entire workspace, just by tapping them with an NFC-enabled device.
What are the use cases for Power BI & NFC tags?
This feature is more than just a nice gimmick; it can be a productivity booster and provide relevant insights quickly. Imagine being able to access the exact Power BI report or workspace you need right when and where you need it.
Here are a few ideas for how you could use NFC tags:
- Retail Inventory Management: Attach NFC tags to storage shelves. Want to see inventory levels? Tap the tag, and the report is at your fingertips.
- Manufacturing Equipment Monitoring: Place tags on machinery to instantly pull up performance metrics or maintenance history.
- Event Dashboards: Use tags at conference booths to share schedules, visitor data, or live metrics with just a tap.
- Team Collaboration: Place tags in meeting rooms to open an entire workspace, giving instant access to reports and dashboards relevant to the project.
What you’ll need & How to set it up
To get started, here’s what you’ll need (read the official documentation here):
- NFC Tags: at least 504 bytes of memory.
- NFC-Compatible Device & functionality enabled
- Power BI Mobile App
Open the Power BI Mobile App
Navigate to the report or workspace you want to link.Register the NFC Tag
Tap the options menu (3 dots) and select NFC.- Select your registration option; you can choose to link the item in the current state (slicers and selections stay active) and full-screen mode.
- Tap the tag to link it once you see the message.
Test the NFC Tag
Tap the tag on your phone
Video: Power BI Mobile – Connect Reports and Workspaces to NFC Tags
To help you get a feel for the process, I created a video.
Power BI NFC Tags Conclusion & Note
Please remember that when you register an NFC tag, it will overwrite any previously registered item, ensuring that your tags remain relevant to your current needs.
This feature changes how teams and individuals access Power BI data, empowering frontline workers, managers, and decision-makers to find the information they need at the moment and act more quickly.