Data visualization is key to understanding and communicating complex information. A well-designed dashboard can help you track progress, identify trends, and make better decisions. Looker is a powerful business intelligence tool that can help you create beautiful and informative dashboards. In this article, we will show you how to build a dashboard using Looker with Google Sheets as your data source.
Looker is a cloud-based business intelligence platform that allows you to explore, analyze, and visualize your data. It is easy to use and can be integrated with a variety of data sources, including Google Sheets. Google Sheets is a powerful spreadsheet application that is widely used for data storage and analysis. By combining the power of Looker and Google Sheets, you can create dashboards that are both visually appealing and informative.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps of building a dashboard using Looker with Google Sheets as your data source. We will start by creating a new Looker project and then connecting it to your Google Sheets data. We will then create a new dashboard and add some visualizations to it. Finally, we will publish the dashboard so that you can share it with others.
Connecting Looker to Google Sheets
To connect Looker to Google Sheets, you will need to:
- Create a Google Sheets API key.
- Authorize Looker to access your Google Sheets data.
- Configure a Looker connection to your Google Sheets data source.
Creating a Google Sheets API Key
1. Go to the Google Developers Console (https://console.developers.google.com/).
2. Click on the “Credentials” tab.
3. Click on the “Create credentials” button.
4. Select “API key” from the drop-down menu.
5. Click on the “Create” button.
6. Copy the API key that is generated.
7. **Authorization and Configuration**
1. Go to the Looker admin panel (https://[your-looker-instance]/admin).
2. Click on the “Integrations” tab.
3. Click on the “Google Sheets” tab.
4. Click on the “Authorize” button.
5. Enter the API key that you created in the previous step.
6. Click on the “Connect” button.
7. Once you have authorized Looker to access your Google Sheets data, you can configure a connection to your data source.
8. Click on the “Connections” tab in the Looker admin panel.
9. Click on the “New Connection” button.
10. Select “Google Sheets” from the drop-down menu.
11. Enter a name for the connection.
12. Enter the URL of the Google Sheets spreadsheet that you want to connect to.
13. Click on the “Save” button.
You can now use the Looker connection to access your Google Sheets data in Looker.
Creating a New Dashboard
To create a new dashboard, click on the “New Dashboard” button in the top-right corner of the Looker interface. This will open a new dashboard editor, where you can drag and drop visualizations onto the canvas. You can also add text, images, and other elements to your dashboard.
Building a Dashboard from a Google Sheet
To begin, you will need to create a new dataset in Looker based on your Google Sheet. Once you have created a dataset, you can build a dashboard based on that dataset.
Steps to build a dashboard using a Google Sheet:
- Click on the “Explore” tab in the Looker interface.
- Select the dataset that you want to use for your dashboard.
- Click on the “Dashboard” tab in the top-right corner of the interface.
- Drag and drop visualizations onto the canvas.
- Arrange the visualizations as desired.
- Add text, images, and other elements to your dashboard.
- Click on the “Save” button in the top-right corner of the interface.
Once you have saved your dashboard, you can share it with other users. To share a dashboard, click on the “Share” button in the top-right corner of the interface. You can then enter the email addresses of the users that you want to share the dashboard with.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Dashboard Title | The title of your dashboard. |
| Dataset | The dataset that your dashboard is based on. |
| Visualizations | The visualizations that are included on your dashboard. |
Filtering the Data in the Chart
Looker Studio allows you to filter the data in your chart to focus on specific subsets of your data. To apply a filter, navigate to the ‘Filters’ tab in the chart configuration panel. Here, you can find the ‘Dimension filters’ section, where you can select the dimensions on which you want to apply the filter. Select the desired dimensions and specify the filter conditions, such as equaling a specific value or falling within a particular range.
In addition to dimension filters, Looker Studio also offers ‘Metric filters’. Metric filters are used to filter the data based on the chart’s metric values. Simply select the ‘Metric filters’ section and choose the relevant metric. You can then specify the filter condition, such as being greater than or equal to a particular threshold.
The combination of dimension and metric filters provides a powerful way to refine the data displayed in your chart, ensuring that you are only focusing on the most relevant information. These filters can be added, removed, and edited as needed to dynamically adjust the chart’s presentation.
Using a Control to Filter the Chart
You can also use a control, such as a slicer or drop-down list, to allow users to interactively filter the data in the chart. To create a control, drag and drop a ‘Control’ object onto the dashboard. Configure the control’s settings, including the data source, dimensions, and filter options. Once the control is set up, users can interact with it to dynamically change the data displayed in the chart, making it an excellent tool for empowering end-users with self-service filtering capabilities.
| Filter Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Dimension Filter | Filters data based on the values of a dimension |
| Metric Filter | Filters data based on the values of a metric |
| Control Filter | Uses a control element to allow users to interactively filter the data |
Creating a Scorecard
A scorecard is a type of dashboard that displays key performance indicators (KPIs) in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand way. Looker allows you to create scorecards by dragging and dropping KPIs onto a canvas, and then customizing the appearance of the scorecard.
Adding KPIs to a Scorecard
To add a KPI to a scorecard, simply drag and drop the KPI from the KPI Explorer onto the scorecard canvas. You can also add KPIs by clicking on the “Add KPI” button and then selecting the KPI you want to add.
Customizing the Appearance of a Scorecard
Once you have added KPIs to a scorecard, you can customize the appearance of the scorecard by changing the layout, colors, and fonts. You can also add notes and descriptions to the scorecard to help users understand the data.
Sharing a Scorecard
Once you have finished creating a scorecard, you can share it with other users by clicking on the “Share” button. You can share a scorecard with individual users or groups, and you can also set permissions for the scorecard.
Embedding a Scorecard
You can also embed a scorecard on a website or blog by clicking on the “Embed” button. This will generate an HTML code that you can copy and paste into your website or blog.
Adding a Text Box
Text boxes allow you to add static text, such as titles, subtitles, or labels, to your dashboard. To add a text box to your dashboard, follow these steps:
- In the editing view, select the “Text” shape from the shapes toolbar.
- Drag and drop the shape onto the canvas where you want to place it.
- Click on the shape to open the properties panel.
- In the properties panel, enter the text you want to display in the **”Text Content”** field.
- Customize the appearance of the text by adjusting the **”Font”** type, **”Size”**, and **”Color”**. You can also align the text **”Left”**, **”Center”**, or **”Right”**.
- To add formatting, such as bold, italic, or underline, select the text and use the formatting options in the toolbar.
You can also add text boxes to your dashboard using the following keyboard shortcut:
**Windows:** Ctrl+T
**Mac:** ⌘+T
Additional options for text boxes:
In addition to the basic formatting options, you can also use the following options to customize your text boxes:
- **Wrap text:** This option will wrap the text in the box so that it fits within the box’s boundaries.
- **Background color:** This option will add a background color to the text box.
- **Border:** This option will add a border around the text box.
- **Padding:** This option will add padding to the inside of the text box, which will increase the space between the text and the box’s borders.
- **Margin:** This option will add margin to the outside of the text box, which will increase the space between the box and other elements on the dashboard.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Wrap text | Wraps the text in the box so that it fits within the box’s boundaries. |
| Background color | Adds a background color to the text box. |
| Border | Adds a border around the text box. |
| Padding | Adds padding to the inside of the text box, which will increase the space between the text and the box’s borders. |
| Margin | Adds margin to the outside of the text box, which will increase the space between the box and other elements on the dashboard. |
Customizing the Dashboard
Looker offers a wide range of customization options to personalize your dashboard and enhance its usability. Here are some key considerations:
Dashboard Layout and Design
Arrange the tiles and filters on your dashboard to create a logical flow and maximize user engagement. Utilize color coding, icons, and labels to guide users and enhance readability.
Data Visualization
Explore various visualization options such as charts, tables, and maps to present data in a compelling and accessible manner. Adjust the chart types, axes, and legends to optimize data presentation.
Filtering and Sorting
Incorporate filters into your dashboard to enable users to refine the displayed data. Provide sorting functionality to allow users to prioritize and organize the information based on their preferences.
Interactivity and Collaboration
Add interactivity to your dashboard by allowing users to drill down into data, explore details, and share insights. Enable collaboration by providing options for users to share dashboards and add comments or annotations.
Branding and Aesthetics
Customize the dashboard’s aesthetics to align with your company’s branding and preferences. Change the color scheme, logos, and fonts to create a cohesive and professional visual experience.
Exporting and Sharing
Export your dashboard in various formats such as PDF, PNG, or CSV to facilitate sharing and archiving. Enable easy sharing options through social media integration or direct links.
Advanced Customization
For advanced customization, utilize Looker’s scripting capabilities to create custom widgets, calculations, and data manipulation. This allows you to extend the functionality of your dashboard and cater to specific requirements.
Sharing the Dashboard
Once your dashboard is complete, you can share it with others to collaborate and provide insights. To share your dashboard:
- Click the “Share” icon in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Enter the email addresses of the people you want to share with.
- Select the level of sharing permissions you want to grant (View, Edit, Admin).
- Add an optional message to let them know you’ve shared the dashboard.
- Click “Share”.
Managing Shared Dashboards
After you’ve shared a dashboard, you can manage the sharing settings from the “Shared with” tab.
- Click the “Share” icon in the top right corner of the dashboard.
- Click the “Shared with” tab.
- You’ll see a list of people you’ve shared the dashboard with.
- For each person, you can see their sharing permissions level.
- Click “Edit” to change the sharing permissions.
- Click “Remove” to remove the person from the shared dashboard.
Collaborating on Shared Dashboards
Once a dashboard is shared, multiple people can collaborate on it at the same time. Collaborators can:
- Make changes to the dashboard design and data.
- Add or remove widgets.
- Filter or sort data.
- Share the dashboard with others.
Troubleshooting Dashboard Issues
1. Check your data source
Make sure your data source is connected properly and that the data is up-to-date.
2. Check your filters
Make sure your filters are applied correctly and that they are not excluding the data you want to see.
3. Check your visualizations
Make sure your visualizations are configured correctly and that they are displaying the data you want to see.
4. Check your dashboard layout
Make sure your dashboard is laid out in a way that makes sense and that the data is easy to read.
5. Check your sharing settings
Make sure your dashboard is shared with the people who need to see it.
6. Clear your cache
Sometimes, clearing your cache can resolve dashboard issues.
7. Refresh your dashboard
Refreshing your dashboard can sometimes resolve issues.
8. Contact support
If you have tried all of the above and are still having problems, please contact support.
9. Additional Troubleshooting Tips for Specific Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dashboard is loading slowly | Increase the size of your data source or use a more efficient data source. |
| Dashboard is not displaying any data | Check your data source connection and make sure your filters are applied correctly. |
| Dashboard is displaying incorrect data | Check your data source and make sure your visualizations are configured correctly. |
| Dashboard is not updating automatically | Make sure your dashboard is set to refresh automatically. |
Looker: How to Build a Dashboard Using Google Sheets
Looker is a powerful business intelligence (BI) platform that allows users to create interactive dashboards and reports. Looker can connect to a variety of data sources, including Google Sheets. This makes it easy to create dashboards and reports that visualize data from your Google Sheets spreadsheets.
To build a dashboard using Looker with Google Sheets, you will need to first create a Looker account and connect it to your Google Sheets spreadsheet. Once you have done this, you can create a new dashboard and add visualizations to it. Looker offers a variety of visualization types to choose from, including charts, graphs, and tables.
Once you have added visualizations to your dashboard, you can configure them to display the data you want. You can also add filters and other controls to your dashboard to make it easier to explore your data. When you are finished, you can share your dashboard with others or embed it on your website.
People Also Ask About Looker How To Build Dashboard Using With Google Sheets
How do I connect Looker to Google Sheets?
To connect Looker to Google Sheets, you will need to first create a Looker account and connect it to your Google Sheets spreadsheet. Once you have done this, you can create a new dashboard and add visualizations to it. Looker offers a variety of visualization types to choose from, including charts, graphs, and tables.
Can I use Looker to create dashboards for my team?
Yes, you can use Looker to create dashboards for your team. Looker offers a variety of features that make it easy to collaborate on dashboards, including the ability to share dashboards with others and add comments.
How do I embed a Looker dashboard on my website?
To embed a Looker dashboard on your website, you will need to first create a Looker account and connect it to your Google Sheets spreadsheet. Once you have done this, you can create a new dashboard and add visualizations to it. Looker offers a variety of visualization types to choose from, including charts, graphs, and tables.
