Custom R Interactive Visual - How to setup parameters

[Anthony_W]

I am trying to develop several custom power bi visuals using R and Plotly. Previously I have not had any problem in developing ‘basic’ visuals, but would like to extend the visuals to include

• labelling of the incoming data g. X Values column, Y Values Column, Data Points Colour etc. and
• the selection of parameters e.g. Colour Gradient, Axis Title font sizes, point size, transparency etc..

1 Basic custom R/Plotly visual

I start a custom visual with the following steps

1. Type the following command into CMD window: pbiviz new TestVisual -t rhtml
2. Update blank fields in ‘pbiviz.json’ that must have values
3. Update ‘script.R’ with the R Script to generate the required visual
4. Type the following command into CMD window to compile the package: pbiviz package

The visual is then compiled, I can add it to the Power BI report and it works fine.

2 Custom R/Plotly visual with data assignments

I start off with test custom visual as noted above and modify the capabilities.json file. I update the dataRoles and dataviewmappings sections to include 3 parameters: Xvalues, YValues and ColourValues.

The visual is then compiled (using pbiviz package in the command prompt)., I can add it to the Power BI report and it works fine.

3 Custom R/Plotly visual with data assignments and parameters

I am struggling to implement parameters within the customised visual. I have looked at Microsoft’s tutorial located at the following link.

https://microsoft.github.io/PowerBI-visuals/tutorials/funnel-plot-from-r-script-to-r-custom-visual/o...

According to the tutorial, I just have to change the capabilities.json file, the settings.ts file and the R script to identify whether a parameter value exists and assign a default value if required.

I have attempted to do that but can’t get the parameters working probably. Has anyone succeeded in getting the parameters working for a dynamic R custom visual? Or can share a link to a detailed tutorial that works?

Thanks.

[amitchandak]

Refer, if these can help

https://www.datacamp.com/community/tutorials/data-visualisation-powerbi

https://towardsdatascience.com/using-python-in-power-bi-ee95a6b71443

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8FcI_sgR0

https://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/5936/transform-data-in-power-bi-with-r-and-python/

[Anthony_W]

Thanks for the links Amitchandak.

Unfortunately the links don't help with my problem.

Cheers,

[v-yiruan-msft]

Hi @Anthony_W ,

Please find the following links, hope they can help you.

https://radacad.com/create-custom-visual-with-r-and-json-part3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMXlWu_oeyA

Best Regards

Rena

[Anthony_W]

Thanks for the links yinginr,

I am working through the Radacad example. I downloaded the example visual data and managed to compile the custom.

I did receive an initial error during compilation stating a 'Globalize' package was not available. The error gave instructions for how to install the package - npm install --save globalize. Once the package is installed, the custom visual compiled OK.

I added the visual to a power bi report, but now receive the following R related error:

Error in strsplit(names(values), "\\.") : non-character argument
Calls: %>% -> eval -> eval -> style -> strsplit
Execution halted

I tried to find to find the strsplit function in the R code in the custom visual files, but haven't found. I suspect it is in one of the packages. I am still investigating the location of the error...

[v-yiruan-msft]

Hi @Anthony_W ,

Which sample you are using? Please try the solution in the following link and check if it works after you find the related "package".

https://www.rdocumentation.org/packages/base/versions/3.6.2/topics/strsplit

Best Regards

Rena