Unlocking Insights with Looker Studio Language Essentials

Looker Studio is a powerful tool for data analysis and visualization, but to unlock its full potential, you need to understand the basics of its language.

The Looker Studio language is based on a set of standard SQL functions, which can be used to perform calculations and data manipulation.

To get started, you need to know how to write basic SQL queries, including selecting data, filtering, and aggregating.

Looker Studio also supports a range of built-in functions, such as SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT, which can be used to perform common calculations.

With a solid understanding of the Looker Studio language, you can create complex data visualizations and reports that provide valuable insights into your data.

To set up a report in Looker Studio, start by creating a new blank report from the home page using the Create button. You can then add data to your report using Google or partner connectors. From there, delete any unnecessary tables by right-clicking on them and selecting Delete from the menu.

You can also choose a theme beforehand to save time when designing your report. Looker Studio offers a library of pre-designed themes with various color options for visualizations. To customize your dashboard, you can manually edit the theme, extract a theme from an image, or use a pre-designed theme.

Here are some options to customize your dashboard:

Creating a source in Looker Studio is a straightforward process. To start, you can add a new data source by clicking on the Create button and selecting Data source from the menu.

If you already have an existing report, you can also add a data source directly from it by clicking Add data in the report toolbar.

To load your dataset to Looker Studio, select a Google or Partner connector on the data source list page.

Once you've selected the connector, drag the ProductCategory into Dimension, replacing OrderType.

You can also create a data source using a native Google connector, such as Google Sheets. To do this, select Google Sheets under the Google Connectors section.

If you're using Google Sheets for the first time, you'll need to authorize Looker Studio to connect to your Google Sheets by clicking the AUTHORIZE button.

To set up the connection, select the spreadsheet file you copied before and then select the Online Sales sheet. Give your data source a name, such as FLW Online Sales – Google Sheets.

After setting up the connection, the fields in your data source page will look like this:

You can change the data type of fields manually by clicking the triangle icon (⏷) next to the data type.

Building a report in Looker Studio is a straightforward process. You can start by creating a new blank report from the home page using the Create button.

To begin, you'll need to add data to your report using Google or partner connectors. You can do this by selecting the data source you want to use and following the prompts.

Once you've added your data source, you can start customizing your report. To do this, make sure you're in Edit mode, not View mode.

You can start customizing your report by utilizing the data field sets on the right-hand side. This is where you can choose from any of the different data fields from your chosen data source to change any visualization.

To personalize the style of your report, you can change the font and background color, comparison metric colors, and text padding to align left, center, or right. This will help create a consistent look and feel for your report.

Here are some ways to customize your report:

If you want to change all scorecards or charts at once, simply select all at the same time before making your changes. This will save you time and make the process more efficient.

Remember, it may take some trial and error to create a report visual that meets your reader's expectations. But with practice, you'll get the hang of it.

Calculated fields in Looker Studio are a powerful way to manipulate data and create custom fields. They can be added to the data source or a chart using Looker Studio formulas.

You can add a calculated field in either the data source or a chart using Looker Studio formulas. This makes it easy to reuse the field in multiple reports or charts.

To add a calculated field in the data source, you can follow the steps outlined in Example 2. This involves selecting the field name, typing the formula, and changing the type and default aggregation.

A calculated field can be used to perform basic arithmetic operations, such as multiplying two fields together. For example, you can create a field called Total by multiplying Quantity by Price.

To add a calculated field in a chart, you can use the ADD CALCULATED FIELD option when selecting a dimension. This is demonstrated in Example 3.

Some common functions used in calculated fields include UPPER, which can be used to display text in uppercase letters. This is useful for displaying product categories in a consistent format.

Here is a list of some common uses for calculated fields in Looker Studio:

Calculated fields can be used to create custom fields that are not available in the original data source. This makes it easy to create reports and charts that are tailored to your specific needs.

Note: If you don’t see the calculated field in the Available Fields list, refresh your browser first.

Calculated fields in Looker Studio are a powerful tool for data analysis. You can use various functions to create custom calculations, such as the ones provided by Google.

To get started, explore the comprehensive list of functions provided by Google about calculated fields. This will give you a solid understanding of what's possible.

You can use these functions to create calculations that are specific to your needs, such as aggregating data or performing conditional logic. This can be especially useful when working with complex data sets.

For example, you can use the IF function to create a calculation that returns one value if a condition is met and another value if it's not. This can be a game-changer for data analysis.

Creating visualizations in Looker Studio is a breeze, thanks to its user-friendly interface. You can choose from a variety of chart types, including time series, bar charts, and tables.

To create a chart, start by clicking on the "Insert" button, which will show you all the different chart options. These include time series, bar charts, pie charts, tables, scorecards, bullet charts, and more.

When creating a chart, consider who will be reading it and what data is important to them. Your chart should tell a story, and it's up to you to visualize it successfully. For example, you may want to add an "Overview" table that encompasses the main metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter to them.

To make a chart effective, you need to add your target or goal. This is especially important for bullet charts, which show progress towards a target value. Make sure to check the box that says "Show Target" and input different range limits to show the progress.

Here are some common chart types and their uses:

To add a line chart in Looker Studio, you can use a time series chart, which is ideal for showing how data changes over time. You can also break down the metric into different order types by adding a breakdown dimension. This will give you two lines in the chart for wholesale and retail sales.

By changing the data type of a field in a chart, you can customize the x-axis to display month names, making it easier to understand the data. This is especially useful for time series charts.

Building a simple Looker Studio dashboard is just the beginning. You can get more insights with data blending, a feature that combines data from multiple sources to give you a holistic view of your performance.

To start, click 'Resource' > 'Manage blends' > 'Add a blend'. This is where you can combine data from different sources, like Facebook Ads and Google Ads.

Data blending means combining data from multiple sources to gain a deeper understanding of your performance. You can choose your data sources, metric, and dimension, and then configure the join to get the data you need.

Here's a step-by-step guide to data blending:

Return to your Looker Studio dashboard and create a table with your blended source. You can then add a calculated field to sum impressions from each channel and get the total impressions from all channels.

Google Connector is a game-changer for Looker Studio users. It allows you to connect to Google's vast array of services, including Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Sheets.

With the Google Connector, you can access a wide range of data sources, making it easier to create comprehensive dashboards. The connector is also highly customizable, allowing you to tailor your data connections to your specific needs.

One of the key benefits of the Google Connector is its ability to handle complex data relationships, making it a must-have for any serious Looker Studio user.

To create a data source in Looker Studio using a native Google connector, start by selecting the Google Sheets option under the Google Connectors section.

You'll need to authorize Looker Studio to connect to your Google Sheets by clicking the AUTHORIZE button, especially if it's your first time using the Google Sheet connector.

Next, select the FLW Online Sales spreadsheet file you copied before, then choose the Online Sales sheet in the third column.

Give your data source a name, such as FLW Online Sales – Google Sheets, to identify it as a Google Sheets data source.

Click the CONNECT button in the top-right corner to set up the connection.

After setting up the connection, you'll see the fields in your data source page, which by default includes one standard metric, Record Count, and all fields from your spreadsheet as dimensions.

Looker Studio creates metrics on the fly based on the default aggregation specified when you use these dimensions as metrics in your charts.

Some dimensions have default aggregations of Sum, and fields with Currency data type in Google Sheets may be detected as Number in Looker Studio.

You can change the data type of these fields manually by clicking the triangle icon (⏷) next to the data type.

Here are the steps to create a data source in Looker Studio using a Google connector:

Note that you can also add a data source directly from an existing report by clicking Add data in the report toolbar.

Google has undergone significant changes in recent years, and one notable example is the rebranding of Data Studio to Looker Studio in October 2022.

The rebranding aimed to unify Google's business intelligence product family under the Looker umbrella.

Data Studio was officially replaced by Looker Studio, which still offers the same features as Data Studio and is free to use.

Google's decision to rebrand Data Studio as Looker Studio was likely driven by the acquisition of Looker in 2020.

Looker Studio brings together Looker, Data Studio, and core Google technologies like AI and machine learning under one umbrella.

Building a report in Looker Studio from scratch can be as simple as creating a new blank report. You can start by using the Create button on the home page to create a new report and then add data to it using Google or partner connectors.

To customize your report, make sure you're in Edit mode and not View mode. From there, you can utilize the data field sets on the right-hand side to start customizing your report. You can change the data source for each chart, choose from different data fields, and even create and edit charts and tables.

You can personalize the style of your report by changing font and background colors, comparison metric colors, and text padding to align left, center, or right. If you want to change all scorecards or charts at once, simply select all at the same time before making your changes.

Here are some ways to customize your report's theme:

Editing a report in Looker Studio is a breeze once you know the basics. You can start customizing your report by utilizing the data field sets on the right-hand side.

To edit a report, make sure you're in the "Edit" mode and not "View." This will allow you to make changes to your report. You can do this by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner of the report and selecting "Edit."

You can start customizing your report by changing the data source for each chart you wish to choose. From there, you can choose from any of the different data fields from your chosen data source to change any visualization. This is a great way to personalize the style of your report.

A few ways to personalize the style of your report include changing the font and background color, changing comparison metric colors, and adjusting text padding to align either left, center, or right. If you want to change all scorecards or charts at once, simply select all at the same time before making the changes.

Here are some specific ways to customize your report:

Pro tip: If you want to change all scorecards or charts at once, simply select all at the same time before making the changes. This will save you time and effort in the long run.

With Looker Studio skills, you can pursue a variety of job roles related to data analysis, business intelligence, and data visualization.

As a Looker Developer, you would be responsible for creating and maintaining customized Looker dashboards, exploring database structures, and building data models.

Data Analysts use Looker to gather insights, analyze data sets, and present findings to stakeholders, often collaborating with other teams to provide data-driven strategies.

Business Intelligence Analysts use Looker's functionality to transform raw data into actionable insights, create reports, and support decision-making processes within an organization.

Data Visualization Specialists focus on creating visually appealing and interactive dashboards using Looker's tools, requiring a strong understanding of data visualization principles and the ability to convey complex information in a clear and compelling manner.

Data Engineers work on designing and maintaining the infrastructure required to gather, store, and process data, leveraging Looker's integration capabilities to develop custom data pipelines and automate data workflows.

Some potential job titles include: