04. Data sources, queries and data preview

Data sources, queries and data preview

Data sources and queries determine which X-ERP data sets the dashboard evaluates and how securely, quickly and comprehensibly they are provided.

Open Dashboard Designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can read existing data sources, preview query results, and select a lightweight data foundation for your dashboard.

Why this is crucial in the dashboard designer

The quality of a dashboard starts before the visualization. A cleanly delimited query delivers correct levels, clear data types and good performance - an incorrect join multiplies values ​​and renders any measure useless.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Data source: Connection and configuration for the current X-ERP company database.
• Query/data member: Selected table, view, procedure or query whose fields are used.
• Query Builder: Visual editor for tables, columns, relationships, sorting, grouping and filters.
• Join: Joins tables via key fields; Inner and Left Outer have different effects on missing values.
• Alias: Understandable field name in the query result.
• Data preview: Shows a limited sample of real result rows.
• Data source filter: Already limits records for the entire source.
• Query parameters: Passes values to a query and can limit the amount of data early.

Here's how to do it

1. Open data sources and identify the source and query used.
2. In the data preview, review keys, data types, null values, and known control values.
3. Choose only the columns you need and avoid unnecessarily broad queries.
4. Check each table relationship for cardinality and missing partner rows.
5. If possible, limit large periods of time in the query or source rather than in the display.

Exercise

Open the data preview of an existing source and find a known X-ERP data set. Control ID, date, amount and a grouping dimension.

Check the result

• Records come from the correct company database.
• Keys and relationships do not multiply values.
• Confidential fields are missing or deliberately released.
• The preview contains technically plausible lines and data types.
• The query loads in an acceptable time.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Join via wrong field: Produces duplicate or missing values.
• Adopt all columns: Increases the amount of data and makes field selection more difficult.
• Just judge the first preview lines: Additionally, reconcile sums and borderline cases.

Your result

Your dashboard is built on an understandable, secure and powerful database.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 05. Dimensions, key figures and aggregations
2. For Customizer – Customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 11. Calculated fields and expressions
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 13. Parameters and filter logic

Frequently asked questions