16. Layout, groups and tabs

Layout, groups and tabs

Layout translates priorities into space: important key figures at the top, connections in the middle, details and alternative views in groups or tabs.

Open Dashboard Designer on the desktop Administration.

Your goal

You can prioritize elements, arrange them proportionally, group them and organize them into several clear pages using tab containers.

Why this is crucial in the dashboard designer

Readers follow position and size first, then color and text. A good grid makes the dashboard’s thought structure visible.

Elements and settings at a glance

• Dashboard item layout: Size and position in the flexible grid.
• Dashboard Item Group: Keeps related elements together as a region.
• Container tab: Splits a dashboard into multiple pages.
• Tab page: Contains elements or groups with their own label.
• Master filter in tab: Controls whether filters within a page also affect elements outside it.
• Caption: Title bar of the element with interaction and export commands.
• Maximize/Restore: Zooms in on an item for detailed inspection and resets it.
• Mobile layout: Alternative arrangement for small screens, if available.

Here's how to do it

1. Arrange the core question and most important KPIs in the first visible area.
2. Group elements by control logic, not by data type.
3. Use tabs for alternative views, not to hide arbitrary content.
4. Give each group and page a unique name.
5. Check viewers, small width, maximizing and interactions across tab boundaries.

Exercise

Build three KPI cards at the top, including trend and ranking, and a detail grid at the bottom. Move an alternative detailed analysis to a second tab.

Check the result

• The most important statement is visible without scrolling.
• Element sizes correspond to their meaning.
• Groups and tabs have clear, short names.
• Filter effects via tabs are understandable.
• Small screen width remains usable.

Typical errors and their solutions

• Equal area for each element: Blurred priorities.
• Too many tabs: Distributes a related analysis unnecessarily.
• Filter only on invisible tab: Readers do not recognize the active context.

Your result

The dashboard logically guides the view from orientation to cause to detailed evidence.

Further information / source

Related topics

1. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 02. Interface and operating areas
2. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 14. Master filter, drill-down and interactivity
3. For customizers – customize screens and forms › Dashboard designer › 17. Titles, labels, currencies and units

Frequently asked questions