What does a KPI visual in Power BI primarily display?

A KPI (Key Performance Indicator) visual in Power BI is specifically designed to convey progress towards a specific goal or target. It typically displays a single value that represents performance against a predefined metric, alongside a target value. This makes KPIs an excellent choice for providing a quick snapshot of how well an organization is performing in relation to its objectives.

KPIs usually include elements such as color coding (for example, green for on-target performance and red for underperformance), which allows users to quickly assess the status at a glance. The primary focus revolves around whether the actual value is meeting, exceeding, or falling short of the target, which is essential for decision-making and performance tracking.

The other options, while relevant to data analysis, do not encapsulate the fundamental purpose of a KPI visual. Trends over time focus more on historical data patterns, comparative analysis examines differences across categories, and statistical summaries provide aggregated data insights. These aspects are not the primary function of a KPI, which is concentrated on goal measurement and achievement.