AI Visualization - Implement CHATBOT quickly using Q&A visual | Power BI

Introduction

Welcome to Pivotal Stats, where we dive into data analysis techniques, business intelligence platforms, and much more. Today, we conclude our AI Visual Series by exploring the Q&A visual in Power BI.

In my experience, the Q&A visual is a valuable time-saver for users interacting with datasets. It allows users to extract additional insights without making drastic changes to existing views. Essentially, it functions like a chatbot—users can input their questions, and the visual responds with graphical representations rather than text, enabling a more intuitive data exploration experience.

Inserting the Q&A Visual

To insert the Q&A visual into your dashboard or report, navigate to the Insert Tab and click on the Q&A feature. Alternatively, you can click the small icon labeled "Q&A" in the visualization pane. This will generate a default view for your Q&A visual. Based on your existing dataset in Power BI, you will usually see a couple of suggested questions to help users get started.

For instance, you might find suggestions such as "Show 2022 movies" or "Compare rank and review." When you select one of these suggestions, the relevant data is visualized on your screen. You can also type custom queries in the “Ask a question” box. For example, if you type “Top 10 titles by review,” a bar chart is automatically generated for you.

Additionally, you can instruct the visual to render different types of charts. By changing your query to “Top 10 titles by review in a column chart,” Power BI's natural language capabilities immediately convert your request into the desired visual output.

Designing with Q&A Visual

If you're a dashboard designer rather than an end user, the Q&A visual can significantly streamline your workflow. After typing a desired prompt and receiving the output you want, you can convert the Q&A visual into a standard Power BI visual using the “Turn this into a standard visual” option. This eliminates the need to manually configure visualizations, allowing you to focus on more creative aspects of your dashboard.

However, it's essential to recognize that users might not have the same understanding of terminology as you, the developer. For instance, if users type “Top 10 movies by rating,” the visual might not yield accurate results unless the language model has appropriate synonyms in place. To enhance functionality, you can add synonyms to your language model by clicking on the “Add Synonym” button.

Customizing Synonyms

In the synonym prompt, you can dictate which tables to include in your Q&A results. By default, all tables are included, but you can customize this by activating or deactivating specified tables. For instance, if you want your model to only process data from the “2022 Movies” table, deselect the other tables.

As you explore the columns within your chosen table, consider renaming columns to their more user-friendly synonyms. For example, if "Inline Block" is simply a rating, you might add “rating” as a synonym. Similarly, the “Title” column could also be referred to as “movie” or “movies.” Additionally, you can exclude certain columns from the language model if they aren’t relevant.

You can also manage Q&A settings through various tabs, such as Teach Q&A, where you can contribute sample questions and enhance the accuracy of results. Features like Manage Terms keep track of all your synonyms, while Suggested Questions allow you to add predefined questions for user convenience.

Pro Tip: Integrate Q&A in Buttons

An interesting feature you might find beneficial is the option to add an Information Button linked directly to Q&A functionality. To do this, insert an information button into your dashboard. In the properties tab, enable Actions and set the type to “Q&A.” When users click this button on the published dashboard, they can enter their queries live, allowing a much more interactive experience tailored to their needs.

This series on AI visuals in Power BI has provided valuable insights and techniques for enhanced data interaction. The Q&A visual opens up new avenues for exploration, empowering users with a familiar, intuitive interface.

If you've found this content valuable, consider subscribing to Pivotal Stats, as we continue to explore AI capabilities within Power BI for more in-depth projects in future videos.

Keywords

• Q&A Visual
• Power BI
• Data Insights
• Chatbot
• Natural Language Processing
• Synonyms
• Dashboard Design
• User Interaction

FAQ

Q: What is the Q&A visual in Power BI?
A: The Q&A visual allows users to interact with datasets using natural language questions, which Power BI translates into visual representations.

Q: How do I add the Q&A visual to my Power BI report?
A: You can add the Q&A visual by navigating to the Insert Tab and selecting the Q&A feature, or by clicking the small icon in the visualization pane.

Q: Can I customize the synonyms for my data fields in Power BI?
A: Yes, you can add synonyms to your field names by using the “Add Synonym” button, allowing users to query your data using more relatable terms.

Q: How can I teach the Q&A visual to understand my specific data better?
A: By using the Teach Q&A tab, you can input example questions and help the AI model learn to provide more accurate results based on user inquiries.

Q: Is it possible to integrate a button for Q&A into my Power BI dashboard?
A: Yes, you can create a button, enable actions, and set it up to prompt users to enter questions directly, enhancing their interaction experience.