Using TypeScript and D3 in Power BI Anyone here using TypeScript and D3 js to create custom Power BI visuals Need some guidance

Question

Using TypeScript and D3 in Power BI? – Is anyone here using TypeScript and D3.js to create custom Power BI visuals? Need some guidance.

I am trying to develop custom Power BI visuals using TypeScript and D3.js, but I’m running into challenges with setting up the development environment and integrating them correctly within Power BI. I’ve checked the Power BI Visuals SDK documentation, but I need more hands-on guidance. Has anyone successfully built D3-powered visuals in Power BI using TypeScript?

Answer 1

You create custom visuals for Power BI through TypeScript and D3.js, which requires configuring the Power BI Custom Visuals SDK, designing the logic of the visualization, and maintaining the updates efficiently. Here is a step-by-step process to start you off:

1. Setting Up the Development Environment

Install Node.js and Power BI Visuals SDK using

npm install -g powerbi-visuals-tools

pbiviz new D3CustomVisual

 cd D3CustomVisual 

npm install  

2. Integrating D3.js with TypeScript

import * as d3 from "d3";

Use D3 to create SVG-based visuals inside the update() method:

update(options: VisualUpdateOptions)

 { let svg = d3.select(this.target).append("svg")

 .attr("width", options.viewport.width)

 .attr("height", options.viewport.height); 

svg.append("circle")

 .attr("cx", options.viewport.width / 2)

 .attr("cy", options.viewport.height / 2)

 .attr("r", 40)

 .style("fill", "blue"); 

}  

3. Building & Testing the Custom Visual

• Run the development server

pbiviz start  

• Open Power BI Desktop, import the .pbiviz file, and test the custom visual.

4. Handling Data Updates Efficiently

• Use D3’s data joins to dynamically update elements when Power BI filters change.
• Ensure your D3 rendering code efficiently clears previous elements before re-drawing.