Unlock the Power of the UNICHAR() Function in Power BI

[anmolmalviya05]

Power BI is a feature-rich tool for building powerful data reports and dashboards. But beyond the commonly used visuals and DAX measures, there's a hidden gem that can add personality, context, and even visual storytelling to your reports — the UNICHAR() function.

In this blog, we’ll explore what UNICHAR() does, how to use it, and where it can bring real magic to your reports. 🪄

🔍 What is the UNICHAR() Function?

The UNICHAR() function returns the Unicode character that corresponds to the given numeric code.

📌 Syntax:

UNICHAR(<Unicode_Code>)

🧠 Example:

Checkmark = UNICHAR(10004)

This will display: ✅

Unicode is a universal character set that includes symbols, emojis, characters from various languages, and more — meaning you can go far beyond plain text.

💡 Practical Use Cases for UNICHAR() in Power BI

Let’s look at how this small function can make a big impact.

1️⃣ Custom Icons & Visual Indicators

Use UNICHAR() to add visual feedback like checkmarks, crosses, arrows, and more.

✅ Example:

Success Icon = IF([Status] = "Completed", UNICHAR(10004), UNICHAR(10008))

• UNICHAR(10004) → ✓
• UNICHAR(10008) → ✗

These symbols help users immediately identify statuses without reading detailed text.

2️⃣ Emojis for Data Labeling 🎯

Emojis can turn boring tables into engaging insights. You can represent customer sentiment, priority levels, or product types with just a glance.

Customer Feedback =

SWITCH(TRUE(),

[Rating] = 5, UNICHAR(128522), -- 😊

[Rating] = 3, UNICHAR(128528), -- 😐

[Rating] = 1, UNICHAR(128546) -- 😢

)

👀 Bonus Tip: Combine with conditional formatting to show these emojis dynamically in table visuals!

3️⃣ Multilingual Flags 🌍

You can even use UNICHAR() to add flag emojis for internationalization — making your reports more user-friendly in global environments.

LanguageFlag =

IF([Language] = "French",

UNICHAR(127467) & UNICHAR(127479), -- 🇫🇷

UNICHAR(127464) & UNICHAR(127487) -- 🇺🇸

)

🗣️ Want to show language or region indicators next to your data? This is the cleanest way.

4️⃣ Decorative Separators & Styling ✨

Sometimes, all you need is a nice horizontal line, arrow, or bullet point to separate or decorate your visual components.

LineSeparator = UNICHAR(8213) -- ⎯⎯⎯⎯

Bullet = UNICHAR(8226) -- •

RightArrow = UNICHAR(10145) -- ➡️

You can use these in table columns, cards, or even as a legend in tooltips.

📌 Unicode Resources

You can find Unicode codes at:

• https://unicode-table.com
• https://emojipedia.org

Just copy the code number and plug it into UNICHAR()!

🎯 Conclusion

The UNICHAR() function in Power BI may not get the spotlight, but it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to:

• Enhance visual appeal
• Add contextual indicators
• Support international users
• Make reports more interactive and fun

Next time you're building a dashboard, think beyond charts. Add some Unicode charm with UNICHAR()! 🧩

📢 Let’s Stay Connected!

Regards

Anmol Malviya | Addend Analytics

[Rufyda]

Thank you for the great article on the UNICHAR() function. I hadn’t realized how useful it could be for adding visual elements like checkmarks, emojis, and flags. Definitely going to try using it in my reports to make them more engaging. 

Best,
Rufyda