This article describes the different configuration options for BI Pixie.

After you configured the mandatory parameters for BI Pixie Instrumentation in this article, you can find all the additional configuration options in this article.

Configuring BI Pixie Instrumentation ('bi-pixie.exe') is a straightforward process that involves setting up the 'bi_pixie_config.json' file with key parameters to tailor the instrumentation to your specific needs. This configuration file allows you to define project details, subscription information, and web trigger URL, among other settings. Proper configuration ensures that BI Pixie can effectively instrument your Power BI reports and track usage and engagement events. Below, you will find detailed descriptions of each parameter in the configuration files to help you get started.

When you run 'bi-pixie.exe' for the first time, the instrumentation generates the configuration file 'bi_pixie_config.json' with its default parameters. You don't need to download the file.

Before you use BI Pixie Instrumentation on your Power BI reports, you will need to configure 'bi_pixie_config.json' using a text editor (e.g., Notepad) and update the required parameters below. Once you save the configuration file, run 'bi-pixie.exe' again to take the changes into account.

Global Configuration File

The following table describes the parameters in the global configuration file 'bi_pixie_config.json'. After the first run of 'bi-pixie.exe', you can find this file in the target folder. You can configure the parameters and run BI Pixie Instrumentation to instrument the pixies.

ParameterDescriptionDefault
project_nameA string that represents the Power BI reports in the target folder. It can be your company name, team name, business unit, or project codename.""
subscription_emailThe email you used when you registered for BI Pixie.""
license_keyThe license key you received from us.""
pixies_flow_endpoint_urlThe URL of the BI Pixie web trigger or Azure Function that listens to events.""
pixies_inventory_flow_urlThe URL of the BI Pixie inventory web trigger (Starter deployment only).""
starter_deploymentSet to true for Power Platform deployment, false for Azure deployment.false
clean_onlyWhen true, BI Pixie removes all pixies without adding new ones.false
use_report_folder_as_projectWhen true, the folder name of each report is used as the project field in events.false
allow_report_level_overridesWhen true, BI Pixie reads report-specific configuration from bi_pixie_config_details.json.false
track_visual_interaction_detailsWhen true, enables the Visual Clicks Heatmap feature.false
track_visual_interaction_max_fieldsMaximum number of fields tracked per visual for the heatmap.3
include_filtered_valuesWhen true, tracks selected dimension values. Set to false for sensitive data.true
pixie_visual_group_nameThe name of the visual group in the Selection pane."{'{'{'} BI Pixie {'}'}'}"
pixie_measure_folder_nameThe name of the measure folder in the Data pane."{'{'{'} BI Pixie {'}'}'}"

Git Settings

BI Pixie can integrate with Git to pull report definitions, commit instrumented changes, and sync with Power BI workspaces. Learn more in this article.

ParameterDescriptionDefault
git_enabledEnable Git integration.false
git_urlThe URL of the Git repository.""
git_usernameGit username or GitHub account name.""
git_password_or_keyGit password or GitHub personal access token.""
git_commit_changesWhen true, BI Pixie commits and pushes instrumented changes.false
git_commit_messageThe commit message for instrumented changes."BI Pixie instrumentation"
git_sync_changes_to_workspacesWhen true, syncs committed changes to connected Power BI workspaces.false
git_branchThe Git branch to use."main"

Fabric API Settings

BI Pixie can connect to Microsoft Fabric / Power BI service to automatically export and import report definitions. Learn more in this article.

ParameterDescriptionDefault
enable_workspace_contextEnable workspace context in events.false
auto_mapping_folders_to_workspacesAuto-map folders to workspace names.false
load_items_using_fabric_apiLoad report definitions from Fabric API.false
save_items_using_fabric_apiSave instrumented definitions back via Fabric API.false
include_all_workspacesWhen true, reads from all workspaces (not recommended).false
include_workspace_idsArray of workspace IDs to include.[]
exclude_workspace_idsArray of workspace IDs to exclude.[]
include_all_reportsWhen true, reads from all reports in target workspaces.true
include_report_idsArray of report IDs to include.[]
exclude_report_idsArray of report IDs to exclude.[]

Feedback Collection Settings

Configure user feedback collection. Learn more in this article.

ParameterDescriptionDefault
collect_feedback_enabledEnable feedback collection.false
collect_feedback_in_all_pagesAdd feedback slicer on all pages (true) or bookmark navigator on one page (false).false
collect_feedback_in_pagePage index for feedback control (when collect_feedback_in_all_pages is false).1
use_icons_thumbs_up_downUse thumbs up/down icons.true
use_icons_smile_frownUse smile/frown icons (ignored if thumbs_up_down is true).false
use_icons_otherCustom icons object with icon_positive, icon_neutral, icon_negative.null
tooltip_labelTooltip text for the feedback control."Is this report helpful?"
hide_neutral_iconHide neutral button in bookmark navigator.true
optimize_bookmark_navigatorsGroup ungrouped bookmarks to prevent them from showing in feedback control.false

Embedded Survey Settings

Configure embedded surveys. Learn more in this article.

ParameterDescriptionDefault
survey_enabledEnable embedded survey.false
survey_page_titleSurvey page name and header title."Share Feedback"
survey_page_descriptionFirst sentence in the survey header."We appreciate your time..."
survey_page_instructionsSecond sentence in the survey header."Simply click on the slicers..."
survey_progress_gauge_titleLabel for the progress gauge."% Completed"
survey_thank_you_titleThank you message when survey is complete."Thank you for the feedback!"
include_button_to_surveyAdd navigation button to survey page.false

Report-Level Configuration File

The second configuration file, 'bi_pixie_config_details.json', allows you to override global settings at the report level. To use this file, set allow_report_level_overrides to true in the global configuration file.

After the first run of BI Pixie Instrumentation, you can find this file in the target folder. It will be populated with a list of detected reports. For each report, you can override the following parameters:

  • track_visual_interaction_details
  • track_visual_interaction_max_fields
  • include_filtered_values
  • collect_feedback_enabled
  • collect_feedback_in_all_pages
  • collect_feedback_in_page
  • survey_enabled
  • All survey question settings

For the full and most up-to-date configuration reference, see the configuration files generated by 'bi-pixie.exe' after its first run. Each parameter includes inline documentation.

What's Next

Instrument your Power BI reports

Collect user feedback

Embed Surveys in your reports

Analyze engagement at the visuals level using a heatmap