Numerous data？Want to flee the great tidal wave of data display？ No bombardment anymore？ Now here comes data dashboard！Similar to the instrument panel equipped in a car, it transforms obscure expertise into plain visualizations which are pleasing to both the eye and mind.

1.What is Data Dashboard？–Definition.

A data dashboard is a useful tool that could display and analyze users’ complex data by means of data visualization so that the user gains a deep insight into the value of data.

It is considered as one of the best business intelligence innovations in the 21st century. The power of BI insight enables any group or organization’s processes, initiatives, and projects to be well shown and measured.

2.Why Data Dashboard? – Purpose

Undoubtedly, a data dashboard tool helps you answer a barrage of business-related questions in order to cater to your own strategies. As it transforms your business into data-driven one, data could thus exploit their intrinsic value to the fullest by visualizations.

I am sure no staff is willing to endure colossal, unstructured data processing as it is time-consuming and boring. No senior executives prefer the inefficiency and procrastination of key decisions as opportunities may slip unconsciously any time. Luckily, a suitable data dashboard tool may help you.

3.How many kinds of Data Dashboards? –Examples

Next, I will give you a focus on commonly used data dashboard types, and show some examples.

We developed these templates with FineReport and have made them built in the designer. If you are interested in these data dashboard templates, you can download FineReport for free.

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3.1 Business Data Dashboard

In most cases, nearly any data dashboard tool used by a company falls into this category.

Business Data Dashboard has four features as follows:

• Abundant indicators and visualizations
• Configurable and intuitive display
• Time-efficiency and authenticity of the data
• Integrated system architecture

3.2 Marketing Data Dashboard

A marketing dashboard is a kind of business intelligence for marketing that resembles a brief and detailed pool of all relevant data about the company’s marketing activities. It is designed to offer users instant and continuous access to marketing performance. 

Here are the main features:

• in-depth appreciation of marketing performance
• frequent and timely course corrections

3.3 KPI Data Dashboard

KPIs (Key performance indicators) refer to a set of quantifiable measurements where high-level KPIs may center around the overall performance of businesses, while low-level KPIs pay attention to processes in departments such as HR, marketing and others. So, KPI Data Dashboard utilizes interactive charts and data visualizations to display all your KPIs for further analysis and sound decisions.

KPI Data Dashboard has two major features:

• Check your business operation and the goals
• Explore the data behind the KPIs and uncover actionable insights

3.4 Project Data Dashboard

Project dashboard, namely project management dashboard, tracks projects and monitor key metrics in real time like a car dashboard with feedback to the user.

Here you may grasp two major features:

• Track the process with real-time data
• Monitor your team with key metrics 

4. How to Create Your Own Data Dashboard—Guidance

Action speaks louder than words. Considering so many benefits the data visualization has brought, you may wonder: how can we operate a good data dashboard tool? No need to worry. I will show you step by step. (The dashboard tool I use here is FineReport.)

The good news is that its personal version of FineReport is totally free without any function or time limits.

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4.1 Sketch the layout of your data dashboards

Before the operation, a demonstration of a design sketch is indispensable since you would thus be equipped with a sharp mind and clear thinking. We may command a fine view of our “miniature” plan. 

It is recommended to refer to the following methods for design and layout

• Primary information. The core business indicators are ranked in the middle, occupying a large area, and most of them are maps with rich dynamic effects
• Secondary information. Displays various charts of secondary indicators, located on both sides of the screen.
• Auxiliary information. The content of auxiliary analysis can be displayed through drill-down linkage and carousel

4.2 Prepare a data dashboard software

As I mentioned before, the dashboard tool I use here is FineReport. To specialists, its interface resembles Excel so that beginners may get started easily. 

Here are three key features of FineReport distinguished from other tools

• displayed on dashboard or any other large screens smoothly. 
• operability to import the data from Excel into FineReport in batches. 
• real-time visualization

4.3 Creat data dashboard template

After downloading FineReport, open the Designer interface.

Here are the procedures you may follow:

• Set up the body of data dashboard

Click File > New Dashboard to create a new dashboard template.

Then click body and set the Layout type as Adaptive layout and Component Scale as Bidirectional adaptive.

• Drag and arrange components

As to drag and drop interface, it’s convenient to drag components on a canvas interface to create dashboards without scripting codes. Low learning cost even for non-technical users. By the way, with adaptive layout, the size and position of each component will automatically change corresponding to other components.

• Prepare data

Datasets, the 2D data sheets in FineReport, meet the need of storing the data retrieved from databases via Data Connection. You may find a Template Dataset window listing all the available datasets in the bottom left panel. Click the button + to add a new dataset, and then we can write the SQL statement. It is worth noting that FineReport also supports importing data from outside databases.

• Edit components

You could choose dozens of visual features such as forms, more than 60 charts, graphs, and maps. Personalized features such as map thermal display, dynamic flow display, flash animation, custom fill, etc., bring more fun to data visualization.

Here are major categories：

Line chart — trend

Line charts demonstrate the relationship between two sets of values– horizontal axis and vertical axis, as well as the trends behind data. Double-click the line chart to begin editing.

Pie chart — proportion

Frankly, pie charts can represent data visually as a fractional part of a whole and therefore effectively illustrate numerical proportion.

Column chart — comparison

To some extent, column charts are the best of all visualizations, as they tap into our instinctive ability to sense heights.

Button — title

Input the dashboard title. Set the background as transparent and some buttons and edit the font if necessary.

• Preview and interact with charts

Click Preview to see the effects. With the preview and testing, you can adjust the size of the components again to further beautify the data dashboard.

5.Give It a Shot？

Through trials, users regard FineReport as an ideal data dashboard tool, with a free personal version and a well-rounded training path. It could exert a dramatic influence on the performance of your business. Download and use FineReport now!

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