Dashboards in Datarails provide a dynamic and visual way to analyze and present your financial data. With customizable widgets, filtering options, and sharing capabilities, Dashboards empower finance teams to gain insights and drive strategic decisions efficiently.

To access your Dashboards, navigate to the Dashboards section from the left side panel. 

Dashboard Toolbar 

The top toolbar provides essential navigation, sharing, and export capabilities. Here's a breakdown of each option available:

• Dashboard Name: Displayed at the top-left corner. This serves as the identifier of the currently opened dashboard. Click it to navigate between different dashboards.

• Download Dashboard as PDF: Click the PDF icon to export a snapshot of your dashboard. The export reflects the current view and any filters or reference dates applied.

• Share Dashboard: Share dashboards with other team members, generate links, or set up sharing schedules. Read more about sharing dashboards.

• Dashboards Reference Date: Control the reference period for your data across the entire dashboard using the Reference Date. 

• Create Storyboard: Launch the Storyboard creation tool to transform dashboards into presentable narrative formats. Ideal for monthly or quarterly reviews. Read more about Creating Storyboards. 

• Edit Dashboard: Enable edit mode to modify widget placement, update visualizations, or configure new filters and parameters. Read more about Dashboard Customization.

• + New button: Add new Dashboard or create a new widget.

• Filters: Open the filtering panel to apply filters across widgets for segmented data views. Read more about Dashboards Filters. 

• Refresh: Manually refresh the dashboard to ensure that the latest available data is displayed.

Dashboards Reference Date

Dashboards in Datarails are powered by reference dates to ensure consistent data views.

The global Dashboard Reference Date affects all widgets and filters by default unless overridden.

• Set from the top panel.

• Changing it refreshes all widgets to reflect data from the selected period.

Widget Reference Date

In certain widgets, you can override the dashboard reference date to show historical trends or fixed periods. Use this when a widget must show data from a specific time frame (e.g., always show FY2025). 

Learn more about Reference Date. 

Filters

Filters in Dashboards allow you to focus your view on specific segments of data, providing a tailored analytical experience. While filters generally apply to the entire dashboard, you can also add filter logic within specific widgets. Read more about Creating Filters in widgets.

Accessing and Applying Filters

To view or apply filters:

1. Click the Filters icon in the top toolbar.

2. The filtering panel will slide open, showing the available global filters. If a filter is applied, it will be colored blue. 

3. Select the values you want to filter by and click Apply. All widgets that use compatible data will update based on your selection.

Filters remain persistent as you navigate within the dashboard, unless manually reset or modified.

Adding or Editing Filters

Filters can be added or edited from several locations within the dashboard interface:

• From the Filters Panel: Click the Filters icon in the top toolbar, then select Manage Filters.

• From the Actions Menu: Click the pencil icon, then choose Manage Global Filters.

• From the New Menu: Click the + New button and select Add Global Filter. 

Regardless of how you access it, clicking any of these options will open the same interface for filter management.

Managing Existing Filters

• The existing filters will appear on the left side of the interface under the Filters List.

• To edit a filter, click the pencil icon next to its name. Make your changes and click Save to update it.

• To delete a filter, click the trash icon beside the filter name and confirm removal.

Adding a New Filter

1. Click the Add button at the top of the filter panel.

2. In the interface that opens:

   • Give your filter a name.

   • Select a filter type. The selected type will update the list of available fields accordingly.

   • On the right side, you’ll see a list of available fields, organized by the data tables they come from.
   • Drag and drop the relevant field(s) under the Fields section to activate them for filtering.

3. Click Add to include the filter in the list, then click Save to apply it to the dashboard.

Filtering Across Multiple Data Sources

If your dashboard contains widgets based on multiple data sources (different tables), and you'd like to use a common filter across them (e.g., Account, Department, or Period), follow these steps:

• Locate the same field under each relevant table.

• Drag that field from each table into the Fields section.

For example, If your dashboard includes widgets from the Financials table and the Headcount table, and you want to filter by Account, you must drag the Account field from both the Financials and Headcount tables into the filter.

Share Dashboard

The Share Dashboard button, located in the top toolbar, allows you to collaborate with others by providing direct access to or scheduling reports. When you click the Share button, you’ll be presented with three main sharing options:

• Invite Members
• Copy Link
• Set a sharing schedule 

Invite Members

Clicking Invite Members opens the Manage Members for Dashboard interface.

Here’s what you can do:

• View existing users: See all users who currently have access to the dashboard and their permission levels.

• Edit or remove users: Modify existing users' permissions or remove their access.

Add New Members

Click the Invite button to open the invitation interface. To add individual users:

1. Select the Members tab.

2. Type the user’s email and select from the suggestions list.

3. Choose the appropriate dashboard permission from the dropdown menu.

4. If the selected permission level is not allowed based on the user's system role (e.g., trying to assign "Dashboard Owner" to a Contributor), an explanatory message will appear.

5. Click Invite to finalize.
6. If any invited users lack access to required files, a Grant Permissions message will appear. Click Yes to confirm and apply the needed file permissions automatically.

To add by group:

1. Click the Groups tab.

2. Select a group from the dropdown and assign the desired permission level.

3. Click Invite to finalize.
4. If any invited users lack access to required files, a Grant Permissions message will appear. Click Yes to confirm and apply the needed file permissions automatically.

Copy Link

Click the Copy Link button to instantly copy a shareable URL for the dashboard.

• You can send this link to colleagues who already have access.

• Access permissions still apply — if the user doesn’t have access, they will be prompted to request it.

Set a Sharing schedule

Click the Set Schedule button to open the Edit Report Schedule interface.

Here, you can automate the distribution of your dashboard:

1. Choose frequency: Select how often the dashboard should be sent. Available options include Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly, or Advanced (for more granular scheduling).

2. Customize timing: For each frequency type, you can define specific days, times, or intervals based on your reporting requirements.

3. Set recipients: Choose who should receive the dashboard via email using the dropdown list of users.

4. Save schedule: Click Save to activate the schedule and begin automated dashboard delivery.

5. If you've added recipients who do not currently have permission to access the dashboard or its underlying data, a notification will appear. You’ll be prompted to assign the necessary permissions and roles. Confirm to proceed and ensure proper access.

   

Create a new Dashboard

You can create a dashboard from scratch or clone an existing one and customize it to fit your specific reporting needs. This flexibility allows you to start fresh or build on existing layouts, saving time and ensuring consistency.

Add a new Dashboard

1. Click the + New button at the top of the Dashboards panel.

2. Select Add Dashboard.

3. Enter a name for your dashboard and click Add.

4. The widget library interface will be opened. You can choose to add a widget from the existing library to start your dashboard. If you don't want to choose an existing widget, clock the window. The library will stay available also after. 

5. The new dashboard will be opened blank. Click Add widget to start creating your own widgets. You can choose from library or create a custom one. Learn how to create a new widget.

Use filters, reference dates, and layout settings to tailor the dashboard to your audience.

Clone an existing Dashboard

1. Enter the Dashboard you want to copy.

2. Click on the pencil icon and choose Clone Dashboard.

3. Rename the cloned dashboard and click Clone.

4. The new dashboard will be added to the dashboard list, open it and make any changes needed—such as updating filters, adjusting widgets, or changing permissions.

Widget Overview

Dashboards are composed of individual widgets, each representing a visual element—such as a chart, table, or KPI.

You can view, interact with, and drill down into widget data to explore different levels of detail. Filters applied at the dashboard or widget level dynamically update the data shown.

Widgets can also be added, edited, or rearranged in edit mode to match your reporting needs.

Learn more about widget types structure, how to add and edit widgets, drill-down functionality, and more in the Widget Overview article.

Updated May 28, 2025 16:45