Classification

Learn how to use classification-based conditional formatting - such as text, icons, and ratings - to quickly gain insights from your Power BI reports using Inforiver.

What is Classification?

Classification in Inforiver is a conditional formatting feature that allows you to categorize data based on value ranges. It helps visually segment data and analyze performance in spreadsheets or tabular reports.

Real-world reporting involves highlighting outliers and identifying key trends. With Inforiver Table, you can categorize data using text, icons, or ratings, making it easy to interpret complex data at a glance.

Refer to the Create rule section to get started. Once the rule is created and you can see the Conditional Formatting side panel, follow the steps below.

Choose Classification in the Format by dropdown.

Conditional formatting based on classification

Click on the Display dropdown. You can see the three types of classifications: Text, Icon Set, and Rating. Let's look at them one by one.

Classification types

1. Text

Categorizing performance is essential to derive quick insights from your reports. A common technique used by enterprises to categorize inventory, vendors, or materials is ABC analysis. Inforiver delivers this capability right out of the box.

1.1. Step-by-step guide to setting up text-based classification:

STEP 1: Select ABC from the Display dropdown. Let's go with the default settings. Click Apply.

ABC analysis

STEP 2: The rows are classified, and the text is displayed on the left of the data.

ABC analysis

STEP 3: You can also have the classifications appear in a separate column if required. Check the Show as new column checkbox.

Display text in new column

STEP 4 When there are charts in the column where classification is to be applied, check the Apply to charts checkbox. In the image below, 2025 Actuals are visualized using bar charts, and the colors defined for the ABC ranges are used for formatting.

Classification applied to charts

2. Icon set

Icon-based formatting provides the same properties as text-based formatting. Refer to the Text section for more details. We'll look at a simple example to apply icon sets.

In the Display dropdown, choose the Five arrows option. Click Apply. Note that we have applied formatting to 2021 Actuals based on 2021 Actuals - 2021 Plan. Hence, we can see which categories have performed worse or better than the plan.

Classification based on icon sets

3. Rating

You can also use star-based ratings, as seen in e-commerce sites in the product feedback section.

3.1. Step-by-step guide to configure rating-based classification:

STEP 1: Select the 3 stars option from the Display dropdown and click Apply.

Conditional formatting - Rating

STEP 2: You can see the 1-5 rating icons on the left of the data. By default, the number of ranges has been set to 5.

5-star rating

STEP 3: You can move the ratings to a separate column by clicking the Show as new column checkbox.

Ratings in a new column

STEP 5: The rating text can be shown on the left or right. Select the position and color as shown below.

Rating text

3.2. Invert rating

Check the Invert rating checkbox in cases where higher values should have lower ratings.

Inverted ratings

3.3. Display only the rating

Select the Only rating option to display only the ratings without showing the measure values.

Displaying only rating

3.4. Value range classification

With Inforiver Table, you can configure value ranges for each of the ratings. Click on the Enable custom checkbox. For every half rating, you'll be able to define percentage/value ranges in the From and To fields, as shown in the image below.

Custom ranges

To reverse the order of colors or reset all changes to the ranges, click on the highlighted icons.

Reorder colors and reset changes

FAQs

Q1: Can I customize the ranges and display options for classification? Yes. Inforiver Table allows you to set custom value ranges, choose how classifications are displayed (text, icons, ratings), and decide whether to show classification in a new column or inline. You can also adjust colors and positions to match your reporting needs.

Q2: How does classification handle dynamic data changes? Classification in Inforiver is dynamic. When your underlying data changes, the classification automatically updates based on your defined ranges and rules. This ensures that trends and outliers are always accurately highlighted in your Power BI visuals.

Q3: Does applying classification affect report performance? Applying classification does not impact report performance. It does not affect data refresh, calculations, or visual rendering.