Network Graph in Power BI: Visualizing Relationships with Inforiver 

In many analytical scenarios, understanding the relationships between data points is just as important as the data itself. Whether mapping social networks, optimizing IT infrastructure, or detecting hidden links in fraud investigations, analysts need a visual approach that reveals patterns and connections at a glance. Network Graph in Power BI offers exactly that transforming complex relational datasets into an intuitive, interactive graph. 

By representing entities as nodes and their connections as edges, a network graph uncovers the structure within your data identifying influential points, and isolated elements that might otherwise remain hidden in spreadsheets or traditional visuals. 

Understanding a Network Graph 

• Nodes (Verticals/Points): These represent the individual entities or objects within a network. In a social network, a node might be a person; in a computer network, it could denote a device such as a router or server.  

• Edges (Links/Lines): Show the relationships or connections between nodes. They can represent things like friendships, financial deals, or physical links between devices. An edge means there is some form of interaction or relationship. 

Introducing the Inforiver Network Graph 

The Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph for Power BI is a graph visualization that goes beyond basic relationship mapping. Designed for complex relational datasets, it combines structural clarity with interactive features. As part of the hierarchy chart family, it helps you visualize complex connections in a way that’s both intuitive and dynamic. 

Instead of relying on multiple visuals for teams, dependencies, and processes, this chart consolidates all relationships into a single, unified view. It doesn’t just display links; it highlights patterns, central nodes, and hidden dependencies.  

The Advantage of Using Inforiver Network Graph 

Analyzing modern data relationships requires more than just plotting connections. It demands tools that can simplify complexity and reveal actionable insights. The Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph does exactly that by transforming intricate, interconnected relational datasets into an interactive visual experience. Our Network Graph helps you uncover influencers, detect anomalies, and understand data relationships within seconds. 

Unlike regular charts, this one adapts to your analysis, helping you find influencers, spot anomalies, and understand relationships fast delivering clarity without extra complexity. 

Inforiver takes this a step further with powerful customization and interaction options that adapt to a wide range of analytical perspectives. From revealing directional flows to optimizing layout structures, the Network Graph becomes more than a visualization. 

Here are the key features available in the Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph: 

Network Graph Layout Capabilities

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph offers multiple layout options to display data relationships. Each layout gives a unique view, making it easy to highlight patterns, clusters, and key nodes in Power BI. 

Supported Layouts: 

• Hierarchical: Organizes nodes in a top-down or left-to-right structure, ideal for visualizing organizational charts or parent - child relationships. 

• Force: Uses a force-directed algorithm to naturally space out nodes, keeping connected ones closer while reducing overlap. 

• Circular: Places nodes evenly around a circle for a balanced and symmetrical view. 

• Concentric: Arranges nodes in multiple concentric circles, useful for showing importance levels or proximity to a central node. 

• Grid: Aligns nodes into structured rows and columns, providing a clean and orderly layout. 

• Fruchterman–Reingold: A popular force-directed algorithm that optimizes node positions to reduce edge crossings and highlight clusters. 

Source and Target 

The Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph allows you Merge duplicate nodes into one unified node by toggling Source and Target. The combined node connects to all linked points for a cleaner view, where Source is the starting point and Target is the ending point. 

For clearer interpretation, enabling directional arrows along with Source and Target makes it easy to understand the flow of information or actions. The self-link feature lets you visualize self-referencing relationships directly in the chart. 

Marker Outline

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph offers different outline modes including Parent Mode (outlines only parent nodes), All Nodes (outlines every node), and Off (no outlines). The outline is a customizable border around each node, where you can adjust color and line width. 

You can also control whether outlines appear by default or only on hover, providing flexible options to highlight nodes as needed. 

Node Format 

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph provides extensive formatting options for nodes at two levels: All Nodes and By Level, giving you full control over the appearance and behavior of your network. 

• All Nodes – Formatting applied here affects every node in the chart uniformly. 

• By Level – Allows you to customize nodes for specific levels in the hierarchy, enabling more granular control. 

1. All Nodes: 
Key features include:

a. Node Type: Inforiver Analytics+ offers three node type display options Shape, Text, and Image that can be applied across all nodes:  

• Shape – Choose from multiple styles such as square, cross, heart, triangle, and more. 
• Text – Display labels for nodes, which can include category, value, or both. 
• Image – Show assigned images inside nodes for a more visual representation. 

b. Color Mode: 

• Fixed: Assign the same color to all nodes for a consistent look.
• Dynamic: Apply different colors to source and target nodes, enabling clearer distinction.  

c. Shape Styling: Customize shape color and fill options, including solid fill, outline only, or hatched patterns. 

2. By Level Node
The By Level option in Inforiver Analytics+ allows you to apply formatting to specific categories such as Source and Target nodes individually. This gives you the flexibility to set distinct visual styles for each role in the network. 

Key Features: 

a. Individual Control – Apply unique formatting to Source and Target nodes separately, ensuring clear differentiation. 

b. Multiple Display Options – Both Source and Target nodes support all three display types: Shape, Text, and Image. You can also mix these formats as needed. For example: 

• Source Nodes – May use shapes, text labels, or images based on your preference. 

• Target Nodes – Can also be displayed as shapes, text, or images, allowing complete flexibility for visual distinction 

c. Full Flexibility – Combine any option for each level such as Source as text and Target as image, or both as shapes depending on your visualization needs. 

Link Format (Edge)

A variety of options are also available to customize the appearance of links (edges) between nodes, helping you create clearer and more informative network visuals. 

• Line Type and Width: 
  You can format link lines as solid, dotted and dashed, and adjust their width to emphasize or de-emphasize connections. 

• Line Style: 
  Choose from different link shapes, including smooth curves, S-shaped curves, or normal curved lines, to best represent the flow between nodes. 

• Color Options: 
  • Single Color: Apply a uniform color to all link lines, which you can customize. 
  • Gradient: Define minimum and maximum colors to create gradient effects along the link, enhancing visual depth. 
  • By Source: Links inherit the color of their source node, making it easy to trace connections from the origin. 
  • By Target: Links take the color of their target node, helping to identify destination points clearly. 

Dynamic Link Option (Weighted Links) 

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph supports Dynamic Link mode, which automatically adjusts the thickness of connections based on their associated values. When this option is toggled on, links with higher values appear thicker, while those with lower values are thinner. 

Why it’s useful: 
This feature makes it easy to visually interpret the strength or importance of relationships at a glance by prioritizing key connections or dominant relationships. 

Link Label 

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph allows you to display descriptive labels on the links connecting nodes, providing additional context for the relationship between two entities. To enable this feature, add the desired field to the Link Label section in the Data Pane and toggle it on. 

Customization Options: 

• Orientation: Set the label orientation to Auto, Horizontal, or Vertical (Auto is recommended for optimal readability). 

• Color Control: Define a custom text color or match it with the series color for visual consistency. 

• Text Formatting: Apply font styles such as bold, italic, and adjust the font size as needed. 

• Background & Border: Customize background color, border color, and border width to make labels stand out clearly. 

Advanced Features of Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph in Power BI 

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph for Power BI comes packed with powerful features that enhance clarity, control, and customization, making your network data easier to explore and interpret: 
 

• Top N Filtering: 
  Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph allows you to filter and display the top or bottom N source or target nodes. This helps you focus on the most important connections and keeps the network clean by hiding less relevant nodes. 

• Conditional Formatting: 
  Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph offers a variety of formatting options to customize nodes, you can adjust its color, shape, and other properties using color scales or custom rules. This flexibility helps highlight important nodes and reveal patterns clearly within your network. 

• Data Labels: 
  Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph offers extensive data label customization for nodes, enabling clear and meaningful information display. You can toggle labels on or off, choose what to show, and control their position and style. 
  
  Key Capabilities: 
  • Custom Display Options: Show Category, Value, or both. For Source and Target nodes, you can display Inflow, Outflow, or Total Flow values. Inflow represents incoming connections, while Outflow represents outgoing. 
  • Flexible Visibility: Choose to display labels always or on hover, based on your dashboard needs. 
  • Styling Options: Customize font size, color, and text style (bold, italic) for better readability. Labels can also match the node’s series color for a cohesive look. 
  • Positioning: Place labels above, below, or at the center of nodes. 
  • Overlap Handling: Enable or prevent label overlap to maintain clarity. 

Conclusion 

Inforiver Analytics+ Network Graph brings advanced, flexible visualization capabilities to Power BI, making it easier than ever to explore complex relationships and uncover hidden insights of relational and graphical databases. Whether you’re analyzing organizational structures, tracking connections, or detecting patterns, these charts offer the customization and interactivity needed to make your data tell a clear story. 

Ready to transform your data analysis with powerful network visuals? 

Try Inforiver Analytics+ today and experience a smarter way to visualize relationships. 

Have questions or want a demo? Contact us to learn how Inforiver can elevate your Power BI reports. 
Don’t forget to share your thoughts and insights - we’d love to hear how you’re using network charts in your work!