Converting HTTPs link images/icons to Base 64 in Power BI

If you have a column of images/icons in https links format like below:

Image 1: Column of https links for images/icons

Then you can convert it to base 64 URL format, which is the acceptable format by the xViz Performance Flow visual (as it is certified):

Image 2: Columns of Base 64 URLs for images/icons

Steps to be followed in Transform Editor/Power Query:

Step 1: Create a Custom Function in your Power BI report -> Transform Data:

1. Home → New Source → Blank Query

Image 3: Create a New Blank Query

1. Change the name of the query to Query1 to ImgtoBase64Url and Click on Advanced Editor

Image 4: Advanced Editor option

1. Paste the below code and Click on Done:

let
    Source = (ImageUrl as text) as text =>
let
    BinaryContent = Web.Contents(ImageUrl),
    Base64 = "data:image/jpeg;base64, " & Binary.ToText(BinaryContent, BinaryEncoding.Base64)
in
    Base64
in
    Source

Note: The prefix of "data:image/jpeg;base64, " must be adjusted as per the image extension, i.e. replace the "jpeg" with the extension of the image that you are using (eg: png, etc.)

Step 2: Invoke the custom function in the data:

1. Add Column → Invoke Custom Function

Image 5: Invoke Custom Function option

1. Add the following details in the popup:

   1. Provide a name for the new column

   2. Select the function query name “ImgtoBase64Url”

   3. Select the column with Images URL

Figure 2: Invoke Custom Function dialog box

Result: This will result in a new column named "Image" which will contain the Base 64 URLs. Use this column in the xViz Performance Flow visual.

Here is an example report file:

3MB

xViz Performance Flow - Https to Base 64 Image-Icons.pbix

If the images you are referring are of high resolution which results in over 33,000 characters in base 64 format, then you might see only partial image rendering because of the character limit in Power BI. Check out this page for the solution - Handling long Base 64 URLs in Power BI