Power BI Cover Page - How to Design the Perfect First Page for Your Dashboard

Your dashboard’s first page is more than just an introduction—it’s the gateway to your entire report. Presentation matters, and while analytics provide insights, the aesthetic and usability of your dashboard create the first impression. In this blog, we’ll explore the essential elements of a great cover page and offer practical tips to make yours stand out.

The Purpose of a Dashboard Cover Page

The cover page sets the tone and provides context for the user. It serves as a launchpad to the insights within, ensuring that the user is both engaged and informed. A good cover page should be:

• Visually Appealing: Align with brand aesthetics.

• Informative: Display essential details like the report name and refresh time.

• User-Friendly: Include interactive elements for seamless navigation.

  
  

Minimum Requirements for a Dashboard Cover Page

1. Logo: Establishes branding and builds recognition.

2. Complementary Text and Colors: Match the brand kit for a cohesive look.

3. Report Name: Clearly states the purpose of the dashboard.

4. Interactive Navigation: An invisible rectangle over the entire page for smooth navigation.

5. Background:

   1. A background color to complement the logo or brand kit.

   2. Or a banner that your client has.

   3. Or go fancy if needed
      

Additional Elements to Enhance Your Cover Page

6. Last Refresh Time: Essential for data transparency, it lets users know the data’s validity.

7. Quick View of Key Metrics: Provide a glance at critical KPIs for immediate context.

Cover Page Design Options

1. Cover Page - Most Preferred

   
   

   Simple, Sober, and Elegant

   This is the go-to design for most dashboards.

   1. Logo

   2. Report Name

   3. Last Refresh Date

   4. Text: “Click Anywhere to Get Started.”

   5. Invisible Shape: Enables navigation to the next page.

   6. Background color if needed.

   
   
   
   

   

   Cover Page - Most Preferred

   
   

2. Cover Page - Basic

   If the dashboard doesn’t involve time-sensitive data:

   1. Logo

   2. Report Name

   3. Text: “Click Anywhere to Get Started.”

   4. Invisible Shape
      

      

      Cover Page - Basic

      
      
      
      
      
      

3. Cover Page with 3-second View

   
   

   Add a quick overview for users who want instant insights:

   1. Logo

   2. Report Name

   3. Last Refresh Date

   4. Text: “Click Anywhere to Get Started.”

   5. Invisible Shape

   6. One Chart: Highlight a single, important KPI.

Cover Page with 3-second View

4. Cover Page with Multiple times

   For dashboards with multiple timestamps (e.g., last refresh for sales and inventory data):

   1. Logo

   2. Report Name

   3. Multiple Date/Time Points

   4. Text: “Click Anywhere to Get Started.”

   5. Invisible Shape

Cover Page with Multiple times

5. Informative

   
   

   You can even get very creative on the cover page. You will have so many options to try and choose from. Eg -

   1. Alerts and warnings of internal checks that are not being correctly mapped

   2. Most important information that the user would want to see

   3. Daily reminders or daily kpis, for example amount collected on the previous day.

   4. The list is endless, depending on the requirement.

Conclusion

The first page of your dashboard is where creativity meets functionality. While endless design possibilities exist, simplicity and clarity often work best. By incorporating the right elements—logo, report name, refresh time, and intuitive navigation—you can create a cover page that not only looks professional but also enhances user experience.

Ready to design your perfect dashboard cover page? Start simple, stay consistent, and let your creativity flow!