How to Clear All Filters in Power BI

Applying filters in Power BI is intuitive, but it’s easy to get lost in a dozen different slicers and filtered visuals, leaving you with a narrow view of your data. This article will show you three straightforward methods to add a "clear all filters" feature to your reports, so you can get back to a clean slate in a single click.

Why a 'Clear All Filters' Function is Essential

Interactive reports are designed for exploration. Users slice, dice, and drill into data to uncover insights. However, after applying multiple filters across different visuals and slicers, it can be tedious to manually reset everything. Without a clear-all function, two common problems arise:

• Misinterpretation: A user might forget a subtle filter is applied on a hidden slicer or in the filter pane, leading them to analyze a smaller-than-expected dataset and draw incorrect conclusions.
• User Frustration: Manually resetting 5, 10, or even more slicers and filters one by one is time-consuming and annoying. A poor user experience can discourage people from exploring the report altogether.

A dedicated "clear" or "reset" option solves these issues instantly. It provides users with a standardized way to return to the report's default state, ensuring everyone starts their analysis from the same, unfiltered view. It’s a small addition that makes your report more professional, user-friendly, and reliable.

Method 1: Use the Built-in ‘Clear all slicers’ Button

In recent updates, Power BI introduced a ready-made button specifically for this task. It’s the quickest and easiest way to let users clear all slicers on a report page. Keep in mind, its function is limited to slicers and won't affect filters applied directly in the Filters pane.

This method is perfect for simple dashboards or pages where slicers are the primary way users interact with the data.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Insert the Button: Navigate to the Insert tab on the Power BI Desktop ribbon. Click on Buttons, and from the dropdown menu, select Clear all slicers.
2. Position and Resize: Power BI will add the button to your report canvas. You can click and drag it to your preferred location, such as the top corner of your report. Use the corner handles to resize it as needed.
3. Customize the Button's Appearance: With the new button selected, the Format pane will appear on the right. Here, you can customize almost every aspect of its design.
4. Add a Tooltip: To make your report even more user-friendly, add a helpful tooltip. In the Format pane, find the Action section and expand it. In the Tooltip text box, you can write a short description like, "Click to reset all date, category, and region slicers on this page." When a user hovers over the button, this text will appear.

Now, test it out. Select a few options on your slicers. Click your new button (you'll need to Ctrl + Click in Power BI Desktop, but it's a single click in the Power BI Service). You'll see all your slicers immediately return to their default, unselected state.

Limitations: As mentioned, this button only resets visual slicers on the page. It has no effect on filters applied in the Filters pane or cross-filtering that happens when you click on a bar in a chart, for example.

Method 2: Create a Custom Reset Button with Bookmarks

For complete control over what gets "cleared," the bookmark method is the gold standard. A bookmark in Power BI captures the complete state of a report page - including filters, slicer selections, sort order, and drill-down levels. By creating a bookmark of your report in its default, unfiltered state, you can create a button that brings users back to that exact state anytime.

This is the most powerful and flexible method, allowing you to reset everything from slicers and filter pane selections to the sort order of a specific table.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Part A: Set the Default State and Create the Bookmark

1. Manually Reset Your Report: First, you need to configure your report page exactly as you want it for the "reset" state. Make sure all slicers are cleared, any filters in the Filters pane are removed or set to their default, and every visual is in its original state. This is the view you want to save.
2. Open the Bookmarks Pane: Go to the View tab on the ribbon and check the box for Bookmarks. This will open the Bookmarks pane on the right-hand side.
3. Create the Bookmark: With your report page in the desired default state, click the Add button inside the Bookmarks pane. A new bookmark will appear.
4. Rename and Configure:

Part B: Connect the Bookmark to a Button

1. Insert a New Button: Go to the Insert > Buttons tab. A Blank button is a good choice for complete customization, but you can also use an image or an icon.
2. Position and Style the Button: Place the new button on your report canvas. Use the Format pane to customize its appearance. Add text like "Reset All Filters" under Button > Style > Text. Style the colors, borders, and effects as desired.
3. Assign the Bookmark Action: This is the most important step. With the button selected, go to the Format pane and toggle the Action switch to On.
4. Add a Tooltip: Just like with the built-in button, set a helpful tooltip under the Action settings to guide your users. For example: "Click to clear all selections and return to the default report view."

Verify your work. Go back to your report, apply several filters, change a sort order, and click on some visuals. Then, Ctrl + Click your newly created "Reset All Filters" button. Your entire report page should instantly snap back to the exact default state you saved in the bookmark.

Method 3: Familiarize Users with the Native ‘Reset to default’ Feature

This isn't a method you build but one you and your report's consumers should know about. In the Power BI Service (the online version where users view finished reports), there is already a global ‘Reset to default’ button available in the menu bar.

When clicked, this button discards all user-made changes - filters, sorts, slicers, drill-downs - and returns the report to the original state in which it was published. It acts as an escape hatch for users who feel they've gotten lost in the data.

When to Rely on this Method:

While this is a handy feature, it's not as obvious or discoverable as a big button positioned right on the report page. You can choose to rely on it, but it often works best as a backup. Teaching your primary report users where to find this reset button can be a valuable part of their user training.

Even better, a custom bookmark (Method 2) provides a more elegant and integrated user experience. Your custom "Reset All Filters" button does essentially the same thing but feels like a natural part of your report's design rather than a software feature. This promotes a more seamless experience for less technical users.

Choosing the Best Method for Your Needs

How do you decide which approach to use? Here’s a quick guide:

• For Simple Reports: If your report page relies almost entirely on visual slicers for filtering, the built-in Clear all slicers Button (Method 1) is a fast, no-fuss solution. It takes seconds to implement.
• For Maximum Control: If your reports are complex, with filters in the Filters pane, multiple interaction types, and a specific default view you want to enforce, the custom Bookmark Button (Method 2) is the definitive answer. It provides precise control and a superior user experience.
• For User Training: Regardless of what you build, always include a brief mention of the native Reset to default feature (Method 3) when onboarding users to a new report. It’s a good safety net for them to have.

Final Thoughts

Adding a way to clear all filters is a small effort that pays huge dividends in user experience and data interpretation. Whether you use the simple built-in button for slicers or the powerful custom bookmark method, giving users a one-click way to get a fresh start makes your Power BI reports more professional, intuitive, and valuable.

While tools like Power BI are incredibly powerful, they require significant time and expertise to master. If you're tired of spending hours building reports and working with complicated interfaces, we built Graphed to simplify the process. By connecting your marketing and sales data sources, you can create real-time dashboards and get answers just by asking questions in plain English - no bookmarks or buttons required.