Collage — Tips & Support

Column types

There are 11 basic column types that you can use in building your image display. The first step in using the visual is to add columns from your data model and map them to these column types.

It is not required to provide all the column types. If you don't provide a column type, it won't be displayed.

The "Data" column

In addition to the 11 basic column types, there is a special column type called "Data" that you can use to include any generic data field (text, number, true/false or string).

The "Image date" column

The "Image date" column will be displayed using standard Instagram formatting. If the date is less than a day in the past, it will be displayed in hours. If the date was within this calendar year, the year is not shown.

Prepare clean image data

Store image URLs as HTTPS where possible and keep them consistent. Include optional fields such as titles or captions in your dataset if you plan to surface them in tooltips or labels.

Optimize image sizes

For faster load times, prefer appropriately sized images and a CDN when available. Avoid extremely large images that will be downscaled in the visual.

Collage will work best with square images, just like on Instagram. In the grid view, images will be forced to square, which may result in cropping. In the detail view, the display is more flexible but some cropping may occur to optimize the display layout.

Keep it performant

Limit the number of images per visual for best interactivity, especially on shared capacity. Test in Power BI Service to validate load times and cross‑highlight behavior.

Accessibility basics

Provide descriptive titles or captions in your dataset so that tooltips and labels convey meaning. Ensure sufficient color contrast for any text overlays.

Need certification or export?

If you require a Microsoft‑certified visual or export to PDF/PowerPoint, consider using Collage Pro. See the comparison resource below.