Salesforce dashboards give companies an unprecedented ability to turn raw data into actionable information. If you are a Salesforce admin, a data analyst, or a business user… Becoming a pro at dashboards in Analytics Studio is key to unlocking the value of your data.
This guide will show you how to build your own Salesforce dashboards in Analytics Studio, step by step. From grasping the interface to sharing your completed dashboards with both your team and your stakeholders, you’ll see for yourself how you can take the company’s data and turn it into easily showcased, interactive dashboards designed just for your business!
At the end of this post, not only will you know how to create beautiful dashboards, you’ll also know some best practices to ensure impact and usability.
The Role of Salesforce Dashboards in Business Success
Salesforce dashboards are more than pretty charts on a screen. As the single source of truth, they become the headquarters for analytics-informed decision-making at a team level. Users have immediate access to timely insights in KPIs and receive less noise through thoughtfully designed visuals, as well as make informed decisions in a short time frame.
Analytics Studio dashboards take this to the next level by offering interactive, live reports instead of static images. Through functions such as intelligent widgets and filters, users can access their data in customizable ways.
Why this matters:
- Improved decision-making: Dashboards present complex data in a digestible format.
- Collaboration: Teams can align goals and track progress across departments.
- Time savings: Automated and real-time visuals reduce manual reporting time.
Now, let’s jump into how to set these dashboards up!
Step 1: Understanding the Analytics Studio Interface
Before building a dashboard, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Analytics Studio interface within Salesforce. Analytics Studio is part of the Salesforce CRM Analytics platform (formerly known as Tableau CRM), so if you already have access to Salesforce, chances are you can jump in today.
Key areas to note in Analytics Studio:
- App Launcher: Access various applications, including “Analytics.”
- Home Screen: Your starting point for recent dashboards, datasets, and notifications.
- Dashboards: Where all your created dashboards live.
- Datasets Tab: Houses your imported or existing datasets that fuel dashboards.
- Edit Mode vs View Mode: Edit Mode is for creating/changing dashboards, while View Mode allows interaction without altering configuration.
Pro Tip: Experiment with the “Demo Org” to explore dashboard building without affecting live data.
Step 2: Connecting to Data Sources
Every Salesforce dashboard starts with data. Analytics Studio lets you connect to multiple data sources depending on your use case.
Common data sources include
- Salesforce Objects (e.g., Accounts, Opportunities, or Leads)
- CSV or Excel files for importing external data
- External databases via APIs or data connectors
How to connect data in Analytics Studio:
- Navigate to “Datasets” in the sidebar.
- Click “Create”, then select the source type (e.g., Salesforce Data, External File).
- Define your data schema and map fields appropriately to ensure compatibility.
- Save the dataset and test its structure by previewing the data.
Ensure that your data is clean and well-structured before importing it. Errors or inconsistencies at this stage can affect dashboard results.
Step 3: Designing Your Dashboard Layout
Layout design is one of the most exciting (and important) aspects of creating a Salesforce dashboard. Your layout dictates how users interact with and interpret data.
Tips for an effective layout:
- Start with a Blueprint: Sketch the basic sections of your dashboard, like headers, sidebars, and main visualizations.
- Group by Relevance: Place related information together for easier navigation.
- Follow Visual Hierarchy: Larger or highlighted elements should grab attention first.
How to do it:
- Open Analytics Studio’s “Create Dashboard” function.
- Choose a template (e.g., Blank Canvas, KPI-focused layout).
- Drag-and-drop components (charts, tables, etc.) into your grid editor. Adjust the position and size as needed.
Step 4: Adding and Configuring Widgets
Widgets are the building blocks of Salesforce dashboards. With widgets, you can translate raw data into visual elements like charts, tables, or KPIs (key performance indicators).
Popular widget types:
- Bar charts for comparing metrics like monthly sales revenue.
- Pie charts to showcase percentage breakdowns.
- Tables to display detailed numbers for specific items (e.g., customer details).
- KPIs for highlighting key values, such as closed deals.
How to configure widgets:
- Click “Add Widget” in the dashboard editor.
- Select your widget type and specify the dataset it should pull from.
- Customize the appearance by adjusting colors, fonts, and labels.
- Set sorting, grouping, or filters to refine the displayed data dynamically.
Preview each widget as you build to ensure correct formatting and data alignment.
Step 5: Applying Filters and Interactions
Filters and interactions turn static dashboards into powerful tools for exploration. They allow users to drill deeper into data with just a click.
Common filter examples:
- Date filters for tracking performance over a specific timeframe.
- Region filters to focus on geographic data.
- Category filters like industry type or product category.
How to add filters:
- Add a “Dropdown Filter” to the top of your dashboard.
- Map the filter to dataset fields (e.g., “Region”).
- Customize interaction actions, such as changing all visualizations on the dashboard based on filter selection.
By properly setting up filters, your dashboard becomes more interactive and actionable.
Step 6: Best Practices for Dashboard Design
To ensure your Salesforce dashboards are as effective as possible, follow these best practices:
- Clarity First: Simplified, clean visuals communicate better than cluttered designs. Avoid overloading the viewer.
- Consistency: Use consistent colors, labels, and chart styles.
- Measure What Matters: Focus on KPIs and metrics that align with your business goals.
- Optimize Performance: Avoid using too many heavy datasets or complex queries, which can slow dashboard load times.
- A/B Test Dashboards: Share versions with different layouts or visualizations to find what resonates.
Step 7: Sharing and Collaboration
Now that your dashboard is complete, it’s time to share it with stakeholders! Salesforce makes sharing seamless so your team can work collaboratively.
How to share:
- Click “Share” and define access controls (e.g., view-only or edit permissions).
- Share via public links, email, or embedding the dashboard into platforms like Salesforce Home pages or Communities.
- Schedule auto-email reports or updates for dashboards that track real-time performance.
Encourage collaboration by inviting feedback and suggestions from your team. This ensures that your dashboards remain user-friendly and impactful.
Wrap-Up: Start Creating Dashboards that Drive Business Insights
A good Salesforce dashboard can change the way you deal with data in your company. Whether you’re the one monitoring sales performance, exploring customer trends, or managing team performance, dashboards offer insights that are fundamental to making smarter business decisions.
Now it’s your turn! Follow these steps to build your first dashboard in Analytics Studio (and see what a difference it can make).
Need additional help to know “What is Sales Analytics and Why Does It Matter?” Salesforce’s documentation and online tutorials are excellent. Or, if you’re interested in learning faster, check out workshops from Salesforce-certified professionals.
