A question is a single visualization or chart constructed from one query of your data. Questions come together to fuel your dashboards.
To be directed to our BI tool, select Dashboards in your navigation bar. Then, create a new draft dashboard or click View Dashboard for the dashboard you want to edit.
If this is your first dashboard question, we recommend reading the following articles to better understand how questions and dashboards work with your Cube data to build visualizations.
1. Set filters to gather data
Filters help pinpoint the data you want to use to inform your query. Add a single filter for a broader visualization or stack filters to get more specific.
Learn more about locating your Cube data in the dashboard dimension hierarchy.
Click the Preview arrow to confirm the data filters you're using are correct:
This will give you a view of a table of sample data from your Cube data warehouse that matches the filter(s) assigned.
You can also validate these numbers by running a fetch using the same criteria in your spreadsheet.
Note: If while comparing data, you notice the values are incorrect, it is likely due to unaccounted-for formulas and tags that are skewing your numbers.
If tags and formulas impact data in your query, additional filters will be required. Learn more about how to account for tags and formulas in your dashboards.
For more advanced question creation information, read about custom expressions filtering.
2. Set how data is summarized
Use summarize to set how you’d like your data calculated for the question you’re asking. Hover over the question mark tooltip to learn more about how the metrics are calculated.
After you select your calculation method, select # Value.
3. (Optional) Choose a column to group by
Group your queried data by specific properties (date, time, source, etc.).
For example, group by date to track monthly changes or use time to compare a current quarter to the last.
Note: At this time, year and timing options are set to the calendar year by default, and dashboards cannot use your fiscal year structure in Cube.
Then click Visualize to see a preview of your question as a chart.
4. (Optional) Customize the visualization
To change how your data is displayed, click Visualization or the settings gear icon, then select the appropriate chart and color settings for your display. Choose to update labels or axes to customize how your chart is displayed.
5. Save the question to the dashboard
Once your question is to your liking and you’ve validated the data, click Save to add your question to the dashboard.
You’ll be prompted to name your question. The name will appear as the chart title in the dashboard and this dashboard’s question bank. You can also add a description if you find that helpful.
Then, you’ll be redirected to your dashboard, where your visualization is now showing to make changes to its placement and size by clicking and dragging.
Repeat these steps for each question you want to include in your dashboard.
For inspiration, check out our guide to building a standard FP&A dashboard or best practices for building dashboards.