Dashboards are composed of different graphical representations of data returned from a configured data provider. The graphical dashboard items of a dashboard allow users to quickly identify relevant information and trends surrounding the data managed by the data provider.
The dashboard designer is used to configure how the data in a dashboard is displayed to the user. Dashboards can contain one or more dashboard items representing data from one or more data providers.
This section covers the basics of two-dimensional dashboard design (adding a basic grid, chart, or pie dashboard item). For other types of dashboard items and advanced design options, see Advanced Dashboard Design.
To design a basic, two-dimensional grid, chart, or pie dashboard:
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Launch the dashboard designer. The designer can be launched in several ways:
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The dashboard designer is automatically launched when the dashboard is first created.
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From the Dashboard Gallery area, select the dashboard to design in the left pane then click the Design button in the Dashboard ribbon group.
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From the Administration area, click Dashboards in the left pane and select the dashboard to design, then click the Design button in the Dashboard ribbon group.
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From the dashboard Properties dialog box, click the Design button at the bottom of the dialog box.
The dashboard designer is opened in a new user interface.
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A: The Home ribbon, used to open various properties controls and add design elements to the dashboard.
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B: The data provider pane, used to select the data provider to use for a design element.
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C: The main design area, used to place, size, and configure the design elements.
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In the data provider pane, select the data provider from the drop-down list that returns the data needed for the dashboard item.
For example, if you are designing a pie chart that shows units sold by product category, select the data provider that includes the units sold and categories columns.
Note:To add, edit, or create a data provider, see Data Providers.
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Click the button in the Home ribbon that corresponds to the dashboard item to represent the data in the dashboard. One or more dashboard items can be added for one or more data providers.
Grid: Inserts a grid that displays data in a tabular form.
Chart: Inserts a visual diagram with an X-Y axis.
Pies: Inserts a visual diagram that displays the contribution of each part to a total.
Note:This section covers the basics of two-dimensional dashboard design. For other types of dashboard items and advanced design options, see Advanced Dashboard Design.
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Drag-and-drop the columns from the data provider pane into the appropriate data item in the Data Items pane. The required columns for each dashboard item are described in the following table.
Tip:For advanced dashboard design, see Advanced Dashboard Design.
Dashboard Item
Data Items
Grid: Inserts a grid that displays data in a tabular form.
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Drag the option for the first column of the grid into the Columns data item. A new empty data item slot is added for additional columns.
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Drag the option used for the second column of the grid into the empty slot under the Columns data items.
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Once added to the grid, a column can automatically have a total included. To select this click the down arrow next to the column name and select Add Total. Available total options include Min(minimum), Max(maximum), Average, Sum(the total of all values in the column), and Count(the total number of items in the column).
For example, if you are designing a grid that shows units sold by product category, add the category column as the first column and the units sold column as the second column:
Note:Grid cells can be merged in the Dashboard Designer. However, merged cells are only available in the Client and not in the Dashboards Web Viewer. When viewed in the Web Viewer, cells are still separated.
Chart: Inserts a visual diagram with an X-Y axis.
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Drag the column for the X axis of the chart into the Arguments data item. This is typically a sub-group within a bigger group.
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Drag the column for the Y axis of the chart into the Values data item. This is typically a numeric measure.
For example, if you are designing a chart that shows units sold by product category as compared to sales targets, add the units sold and sales targets columns as Values data items (Y axis) and the category column as the Arguments data item (X axis):
Pies: Inserts a visual diagram that displays the contribution of each part to a total.
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Drag the column used to produce the sum total into the Values data item.
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Drag the column used to divide the pie graph into wedges into the Arguments data item.
For example, if you are designing a pie chart that shows units sold as percentages by product category, add the units sold column as the Values data item and the category column as the Arguments data item:
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To change the scale of a column, move the cursor over the data item and click the arrow that is displayed, then select the scale from the menu that is displayed. Not all columns have scales that can be changed.
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To change specific design elements of a data item, such as the shape of gauges or style and color of bar chart, click the Design ribbon to display the detailed design elements available for that dashboard item. Not all dashboard items have additional design elements.
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To change the column names in the display or the caption of a dashboard item in the dashboard, right-click anywhere in the dashboard item to edit and select Edit Names. The Edit Names dialog box is displayed with each parameter and the caption in editable fields.
