Google Data Studio enables its users to create beautiful reports using data pulled from a variety of different reporting tools – including Google Analytics, Search Console, Facebook Insights, LinkedIn and many, many more.

This data is then organised in sophisticated charts, graphs and other visual delights, served to the viewer on a customisable dashboard.

If you’re just getting started with Data Studio, today we’ve got a few simple tips and tricks that’ll save you time and make you feel like a badass.

If you’re not already using Data Studio, here’s a quick introduction: 

Create Your Own Metrics Using Calculated Fields

Without a doubt, calculated fields are one of the most powerful Data Studio tools. They allow you to manipulate the data within your data sources, helping you to create a your own set of additional metrics.

In essence, a calculated field is a formula that carries out an action on the fields in your data source. The options are almost limitless! They can perform do calculations, manipulate numbers, text, date, and geographic information, and use ‘branching logic’ to evaluate your data and return different results.

It goes without saying that, while complex, they’re well worth getting the hang of. If you haven’t yet started using them we recommend you start by watching this 3 min video explaining how they work and how to go about setting them up: 

Copy Your Visualisations

This is so simple, but you can save a lot of time by simply copying your visualisations in DS. This is very handy If you want to apply a common style on multiple objects.

It’s very simple: simply select the object that you want to copy.

Hit control+c. & then control+v. Now change the visualisation type and other settings/data sources if needed, and boom.

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Use Templates

Data studio offers many sophisticated templates that can be easily customised. What’s more, once you’ve chosen one, Data Studio can automatically populate it with the data set you choose.

If you’re just getting started in Data Studio, this is a great place to begin and get a feel for what the tool is capable of.

Embedding Reports

You can easily embed any Data Studio report on your website. This is a great option for showcasing case studies or giving your audience access to real-time data.

The embedded report above is fully functional and you can interact with the charts, use the navigation controls and open the report in Data Studio (by clicking the Google Data Studio logo). The iframe code you’ll get to embed the report is automatically generated by Data Studio so you don’t need any knowledge of HTML to make use of this feature.

You can embed a report in edit mode or view mode. To embed a report in edit mode, click on File >> Embed Report. You can also embed by clicking on the ‘<>’ icon on top right.

For more information on its capabilities & a how-to step-by-step, click here.

Allow Viewers To Manipulate A Live Report

Data Studio allows you to share a report to a third-party (a client, for example) and they’ll be able to interact it without needing to log into ‘the backend’ of Data Studio. They’re essentially interacting with the report in a “read-only” view.

The viewer can do things like select a date range and use filters and data control functions, allowing them to manipulate the report and see multiple ‘views’ of the data.

To preview how this will look, click the ‘Edit’ toggle on the far right of the toolbar and you’ll switch to view mode

Name Your Pages

Each page gets a default name (page 1, page 2 or copy of page 1 etc) when you create it in Data Studio. However, DS gives you the option to rename your pages, which is simple to do and is a great way to quickly remind yourself of what’s actually on a particular page of your report or dashboard.

This is particularly helpful if you’re presenting your reports, as your page names can act as your cue cards. 

Use Object Filters

This option can be very handy if you want to apply a filter to just one of your visualizations.

Step 1: Select visualisation.

Step 2: Go to table properties > data > filter.

Step 3: Create the filter that you need and apply it to your visualization.

Specific filters can actually be re-used on other visualisations as well. For more information on filters, you should watch this: