Version
1.1.0.10 (latest)
Language
English

Raster tiles, WMTS and WMS

Raster layers draw pictures of a map over the basemap: aerial imagery, a scanned plan, a flood model, a published map service. Use a raster layer for a tile template or a Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF, and a WMS layer for a Web Map Service. You can have up to five of each.

An aerial imagery tile layer drawn semi-transparent over the basemap, with circles from the report's data on top
A raster tile layer under the report's data

Which one to use

You have Use Looks like
A tile template Raster layer https://tile.example.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.png
A GeoTIFF file on a web server Raster layer, with Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) on A link ending .tif or .tiff
A WMS service WMS layer https://example.com/geoserver/wms

WMTS service links are not read in this version. If the WMTS service also publishes a {z}/{x}/{y} tile template, use that.

All links must start with https://.

Add a raster layer

  1. In the Format pane, open Reference Layers > Layer Selection and switch on Raster Layer.
  2. In Raster - Configuration, paste the tile template into URL template for tile server. The template contains {z}, {x} and {y}, for example https://tile.example.com/{z}/{x}/{y}.png.
  3. For a GeoTIFF link, switch on Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG).

More raster layers

Set Number of Additional Layers (0 to 4). An Additional Raster Layer group appears with the same settings. Choose which additional layer it shows in Apply settings to.

Raster settings

Format pane > Reference Layers > Raster - Configuration

Setting What it does Default
URL template for tile server A {z}/{x}/{y} tile template. Takes conditional formatting (fx) Empty
Setting What it does Default
Tile Size The size of the server's tiles in pixels, 256 to 4096 256
Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG) Switch on when the link is a GeoTIFF file Off
Transparency 0 is solid, 100 is invisible 20 for the first layer, 0 for additional layers
Min Zoom The layer is hidden when the map is zoomed out past this level 0
Max Zoom The layer is hidden when the map is zoomed in past this level 22 for the first layer, 24 for additional layers
Visible Shows or hides the layer. Takes conditional formatting (fx) Yes
Z-Index Drawing order, 0 to 1000. Higher is nearer the viewer 354 for the first layer, 344 for additional layers
Number of Additional Layers How many more raster layers the map has, 0 to 4 0

Add a WMS layer

A WMS server draws map images on request. The server must use an https:// address and must be able to serve the layer in Web Mercator (EPSG:3857).

A WMS layer of flood zones drawn over the basemap
A WMS layer over the basemap
  1. In the Format pane, open Reference Layers > Layer Selection and switch on WMS Layer.
  2. In WMS - Configuration, paste the service address into WMS Server URL. Either the plain address or its GetCapabilities link works.
  3. If the service needs a sign-in, set Authentication Type and fill in its fields. See WMS authentication.
  4. Pick the layer in Layer. The list is read from the service.
  5. Pick the image Format. Use a format that supports transparency, such as image/png, unless the layer is meant to cover the basemap.
Switch on Manual configuration when you are done

While Manual configuration is off, the map asks the WMS server for its list of layers as you edit the report. Once the layer is working, switch Manual configuration on. The layer and format you picked are kept as text and the extra requests stop.

If the layer list cannot be read

If the pane shows "Unable to read layers from WMS server.", the map could not read the service's capabilities. Check the address and the authentication first. Then:

  • If the server does not allow Power BI to read it (CORS), switch on Use CORS Proxy. The requests then go through the Icon Map proxy, which needs an Icon Map license key and may consume additional usage credits. The proxy is not used when Airgapped Environment is on. See API keys, authentication and the proxy.
  • If the server draws maps but does not publish its capabilities, switch on Manual configuration and type the Layer name and Format (for example image/png) yourself.

Filter a WMS layer

  • CQL Filter (optional) sends a CQL filter with each request, for servers that support it, such as GeoServer. It takes conditional formatting (fx), so a measure can filter the layer to the current selection.
  • Custom Parameter Name (optional) and Custom Parameter Value (optional) add one parameter of your choice to each request. The value takes conditional formatting (fx).
  • For an ArcGIS service, set Authentication Type to ArcGIS. Query Filter (optional for image sources) and LayerDefs Filter (optional) then replace the CQL filter.

More WMS layers

Set Number of Additional Layers (0 to 4). A WMS Additional Layer group appears. Choose which additional layer it shows in Apply settings to.

Additional layers are always set up by hand: type the Layer name and the Format as text. To find the names, set the service up as the first WMS layer and read them from its Layer list.

WMS authentication

Set Authentication Type on each WMS layer.

Authentication Type Use it for Fields
None Public services
ArcGIS WMS services hosted in ArcGIS. Your ArcGIS credential is added to each request. Set it up first: see Connect to ArcGIS Query Filter (optional for image sources), LayerDefs Filter (optional)
Basic (Username and Password) Servers that use basic authentication Username, Password
Token / API Key in URL Servers that take a key as a parameter of the address Authentication Property Name (eg apikey or token), Authentication Property Value
Token / API Key in Header Servers that take a key as a request header Authentication Property Name (eg apikey or token), Authentication Property Value
OAuth 2.0 Servers that issue a token for a client ID and secret OAuth2 URL, OAuth2 Client ID, OAuth2 Client Secret, OAuth2 Scope (optional), Additional Header Name (eg apikey or token), Additional Header Value

For a key in the URL, take the key out of the address. If the service's example address is https://example.com/wms?request=GetCapabilities&apikey=abc123, enter the address without &apikey=abc123 in WMS Server URL, apikey as the property name and abc123 as the property value.

Passwords and client secrets are stored encrypted in the report and are shown as dots once entered.

OAuth 2.0 fetches the token through the Icon Map proxy, so it needs an Icon Map license key.

A credential saved in a report is used for everyone who opens the report. Use an account or key that only has access to what the report should show.

WMS settings

Format pane > Reference Layers > WMS - Configuration

Setting What it does Default
WMS Server URL The address of the WMS service. Takes conditional formatting (fx) when Manual configuration is on Empty
Use CORS Proxy Sends the layer's requests through the Icon Map proxy, for servers that do not allow Power BI to read them Off
Authentication Type How the map signs in to the server. See the table above None
CQL Filter (optional) A CQL filter sent with each request. Takes conditional formatting (fx). Not shown for ArcGIS authentication Empty
Custom Parameter Name (optional), Custom Parameter Value (optional) One extra request parameter. The value takes conditional formatting (fx) Empty
Manual configuration On: you type the layer, format and style. Off: the layer and format are picked from lists read from the server Off
Layer The layer to draw. In manual mode it takes conditional formatting (fx) Empty
Format The image format: image/png, image/jpeg, image/svg+xml or image/vnd.jpeg-png, where the server offers them image/png
Style (optional) A named style that the server offers for the layer. Takes conditional formatting (fx). On the first layer it is shown when Manual configuration is on Empty
Transparency 0 is solid, 100 is invisible 10 for the first layer, 0 for additional layers
Minimum Zoom The layer is hidden when the map is zoomed out past this level 0
Maximum Zoom The layer is hidden when the map is zoomed in past this level 24
Z-Index Drawing order, 0 to 1000. Higher is nearer the viewer 255 for the first layer, 344 for additional layers
Visible Shows or hides the layer. Takes conditional formatting (fx) Yes
Number of Additional Layers How many more WMS layers the map has, 0 to 4 0

Tips and limits

  • WMS layers are requested in Web Mercator (EPSG:3857). A server that cannot serve that projection cannot be drawn.
  • The WMS version is taken from a version= parameter in the address you paste. Without one, version 1.1.1 is used.
  • Parameters in a pasted WMS address that are not part of the standard request, such as a map or workspace name, are kept and sent with every request.
  • Raster and WMS layers are pictures. They have no tooltips and cannot be selected.