• Introduction
• Prerequisites
  • Version DigDash Enterprise 2024 R2 or higher
  • Authorization group
• Retrieving source files
• Step 1: Connect to the Studio
  • Logging in to DigDash Enterprise
    • Connecting to the home page
    • Discovering the home page
  • Connecting to the Studio
• Step 2: Creating the 'telecom' data model
  • Importing the "telecom" data source
  • Configuring the data model
    • Creating a manual hierarchy
    • Creating an automatic hierarchy
    • Creating a target
    • Creating a variable
    • Creating a calculated measurement
• Step 3: Creating the 'telecom' graphs
  • Creating the graph Communication costs by type of service
  • Creating the Communication costs by region chart
  • Creating the gauge graph Cost objective
  • Creating the Euro Dollar Simulation graph
• Step 4: Creating the retail data model
  • Importing a data source
  • Configuring the data model
• Step 5: Creating a "retail" chart
• Step 6: Creating the dashboard
  • Connecting to the Dashboard Editor
  • Choosing a dashboard model and inserting charts
  • Adding a filter
  • Adding a dashboard page
• Step 7: Displaying the dashboard
• Congratulations!
  • Going further

Introduction

In this tutorial, we're going to find out how to design a dashboard using relatively advanced functions.

We'll look at how to :

• import data;
• configure a data model, and in particular enrich the imported data by creating hierarchies, a target, a variable and a measure;
• create different types of charts : column chart, map, gauge, etc;
• create a dashboard using these charts;
• display the dashboard.

This tutorial uses 2 fictitious data sets:

• a dataset from a telecommunications company containing information such as call cost and duration, line type, call quality, etc.
• a retail company dataset containing product information and data such as price, turnover, margin, etc.

We'll start by preparing the data, from importing the data to creating the graphs using the Studio.
We can then create the dashboard in theDashboard Editor and display it using the Dashboard.

Before we do that, however, we'll check that the prerequisites for completing this tutorial have been met.

Prerequisites

In order to complete this tutorial, you need to :

• have installed DigDash Enterprise version 2024 R2 or later ;
• be a member of the"Data Model Designer" and"Dashboard Designer" authorization groups.

These requirements are detailed below.

Version DigDash Enterprise 2024 R2 or higher

To be able to follow this tutorial, you must be using version 2024 R2 or later of DigDash Enterprise.

To find out which version you are currently using:

1. Log in to the DigDash Enterprise home page as described in the section Login to DigDash Enterprise section of this tutorial.
2. Explore the central area at the bottom of the page: the version of the installation currently in use is displayed at the bottom.
   
3. If you do not have a sufficiently recent version of DigDash Enterprise, contact your administrator or your DigDash contact. You can also consult the Update Guide.

If you do not have DigDash Enterprise and need to install it yourself, please contact your administrator or your DigDash contact. You can also consult the Installation guides. Then go to the Connection section of this tutorial.

Authorization group

In order to be able to use the required functionalities, in particular the Studio, your DigDash Enterprise user account must be a member of the Dashboard Designer authorization group.

If you do not have administrative rights, or if in doubt, contact your DigDash Enterprise administrator.

Retrieving source files

In order to complete this tutorial, you must first retrieve the source data files: the Excel files "telecomfr.xls" and "retailfr.xls"
Please click on the name of each file to download it.

Step 1: Connect to the Studio

Once you have checked the prerequisites in the previous section and retrieved the source files, you are ready to start this tutorial!

We're going to use the Studio to prepare the data for our future dashboard. We'll start by connecting to DigDash and the Studio.

Logging in to DigDash Enterprise

Connecting to the home page

1. First of all, make sure you have the internet address of the DigDash Enterprise installation as well as your user name and password.
   • Your DigDash Enterprise administrator should have given you this information beforehand.
   • If in doubt, please contact your DigDash Enterprise administrator.
2. Using your web browser, go to the address you have been given: the DigDash Enterprise home page will be displayed.

Discovering the home page

Once you have completed the previous connection stage, the following home page will be displayed in your browser.

This home page contains a main menu giving access to the various components of DigDash Enterprise as well as an insert giving access to various items such as documentation or the software version.

The numbered items are the ones we are interested in for this tutorial. They are detailed in the table below:

As you can notice, the main menu also provides access to the Configuration component. This contains advanced configuration elements that are not covered in this tutorial.

Connecting to the Studio

1. From the home page, click on the Studio button: a login page opens.
   

2. Enter your username and password, then click on the Login button: the Studio window appears.
   

The window opens to the Flows page, which contains all the graphs, tables, etc., that are available in the Studio. We'll come back to this later when we talk about creating charts. First, we'll look at the Data models section.

Step 2: Creating the 'telecom' data model

Here we will import data from the Excel file "telecomen.xls" (retrieved earlier), which represents data from a fictitious telecommunications company. We will then enrich this source to build a data model that will enable us to create relevant graphs.

To do this, switch to the Models page by clicking the Models button on the left of the window.

In the central area (1), you can view the list of existing data models for each role. In this illustration, no role has been created, so there is only the Personal models tab attached to the automatically created Personal role.

At the top right (2), you can access the help menu .

Importing the "telecom" data source

To import data from the "telecom" source file:

1. Click the New model button.
2. In the Create a new data model box, select All types in the Files section.
   
   ➡ The Search remote files box appears:

1. In the Server drop-down list, select "Common Datasources".
2. Click the Add file... button.
3. In the Select file dialog that appears, keep the default selection From your computer.
4. Click Add to select the "telecomen.xls" file retrieved earlier.
5. Click OK.

The file is now saved on the DigDash"Common Datasources" server and accessible to all users.

6. In the Search remote files box, select "telecomen.xls".

7. Click OK.

The Excel File window appears. It offers options for selecting and transforming data, as well as a preview of the data.

The elements in the first row of the table correspond to the data types in each column. We will therefore use them as column headers. For example, Region for column 1. To do this

• In the Data selection section, check the First row as header box.
  

We are now going to filter out any rows where the Date field is empty. To do this :

1. In the Data selection section, click on the Add... button under Rows must comply with ... the following rules.
   The Edit filter rule box appears:
   

2. Leave the default values: Date in the first drop-down list and "is not empty" in the second drop-down list.
3. Click OK then Next.

The rule is then added in the corresponding field.

We can now move on to configuring the data model: click on the Next button at the bottom right to open the advanced data model configuration window.

Configuring the data model

The Excel File window opens on the first Columns tab. You will notice that the title of the second Properties tab is preceded by a cross on a red background.

A name needs to be entered for the data model.

1. Click on the Properties tab .
2. Name the data model "telecom".
   

We are now going to enrich the source data in order to create a data model that will enable us to create relevant graphs. We will create :

• a manual hierarchy of company departments (Management, Production, etc)
• an automatic hierarchy for hardware (phone models)
• an objective on consumption costs
• a calculated measure varying communication costs according to the €/$ exchange rate.

To do this, go back to the Columns tab.

Creating a manual hierarchy

Here we are going to create a manual hierarchy of the company's departments. We will first group the departments into Functions. We will then group these grouped functions into Activities. For example, the Administration function will group together the Purchasing, Legal and IS departments and will be attached to the Support activity.

1. In the list of columns, select Department.
2. In the Hierarchies section of the right-hand panel, click on the Add button symbolised by a + and select Manual Grouping.
   

➡ The Create a hierarchy on the "Department" dimension box appears.

3. The defaultIdentifier is Group 0. Rename it to Department Type.
   
4. A first level called Level 0 contains all the values in the column, rename this level Function.
   • Click on the pencil button  button to the right of the field.
   • Change the name in the Rename level "Level 0" box.
   • Click on OK.

Creating Function groups

To create groups at this Function level :

1. Click on the Add... button in the bottom left-hand corner.
2. In the Group Name dialog box which appears, enter the name of the first function: Sales.

3. Repeat the operation for the Management, Production and Administration functions.

Allocating members to function groups

We are now going to allocate members to each group, i.e. assign activities to each function.

1. In the Group list on the left, select Administration and then tick Purchasing, Legal and IS in the Member list on the right.

   

2. Repeat the operation for :

• Commercial : Marketing and Sales
• Management : Management, Finance and HR
• Production : Production and R&D

Add a second level and create Activity groups

Let's add a second Activity level which will allow us to group the functions into 2 activities: Main and Support.

1. Add a second level by clicking on the + button.
2. A level called Level 1 is added after Function. Rename this level Activity.
   • Click on the pencil button  to the right of the field.
   • Change the name in the Rename level "Level 1" box.
   • Click OK.

To create groups at this Activity level :

1. Click on the Add... button at the bottom left.
2. In the Group Name dialog box which appears, enter the name of the first activity: Main.
3. Repeat the operation for the second activity: Support.

Allocating members to activity groups

1. In the Group list on the left, select Main and then, in the Member list on the right, tick Commercial and Production.
2. Repeat the operation for Support: Management, Administration.

3. Click OK to confirm the two-level hierarchy.

Creating an automatic hierarchy

Here we are going to build a group hierarchy based on other dimensions of our data model. We will group the different types of equipment by row type.

1. In the list of columns, select Hardware.
2. In the Hierarchies section of the right-hand panel, click on the Add button symbolised by a + and select Automatic grouping.
   

The Group Edit box is displayed.

2. The default group name is Group 0, rename it Hardware Type.
   The full path of the hierarchy is displayed on the Full Path line.
   Each hierarchy level is separated from the next by a /.
   Hardware is the first level of the hierarchy.
3. Open the drop-down list for the second level and select Line type.
   
4. Click OK to confirm.

Creating a target

We are now going to create a target for the Communication cost measure. Here we want to achieve a €21,000 reduction in communication costs.

1. In the list of columns, select Communication costs.
2. In the Objectives section of the right-hand properties panel, click on the Add button, symbolised by a +.
   

The Target Definition box appears.

1. Enter the name of the target: Downstream cost.
2. In the Target Type drop-down list, select Downward.
3. In the Type drop-down list, select Allocation and then, in the Target field, enter the value 21,000.
   
4. Click OK to confirm.

Creating a variable

We are going to create a Euro/Dollar conversion variable which we will later use to create a measure calculating communication costs as a function of the Euro/Dollar exchange rate.

To do this

1. Click on the Variables tab.
2. Click the Add button symbolised by a + to add a variable.
3. In the variables edit window that appears, fill in the following fields:
   • Name: Euro Dollar
   • Default value : 1.4
   • Minimum value : 0.6
   • Maximum value : 2
   • Increment : 0.01

4. Click the Apply button to confirm: the variable is added to the list on the left.

Creating a calculated measurement

Here we are going to create a measure enabling us to calculate the communication costs as a function of the Euro/Dollar exchange rate. To do this, we'll use the Euro/Dollar conversion variable that we've just created.

1. Return to the Columns tab.
2. Click on the New Measure and select Calculated Measure (advanced user)...
   
3. In the Calculated Measure window that opens, enter the desired name in the Measure field: Euro Dollar Cost then click on  to confirm.
4. Enter the calculation formula:
   • In the Measurements list on the left, double-click on Communication cost : the measurement is added to the Formula field on the right.
     
   • After <Communication cost(sum)>, type *1.4/.
   • In the Variable list on the left, double-click Euro Dollar to add it after the formula.
     
5. A preview of the result of the formula is shown on the right. The measurement is displayed as a temporary measurement with the extension tmp.
6. Click OK to validate the formula.

Our data model is now complete.
Click Finish then Ignore in the Add comment on modification dialogue box.

You are now back on the Templates page and your "telecom" data model is now listed.

We can now move on to creating the graphs which will later be used to build our dashboard.

Step 3: Creating the 'telecom' graphs

Here we are going to create several graphs and charts from the data model we have just prepared:

• a bar chart showing the cost of communication by type of service
• a map showing communication costs by region
• a gauge graph comparing communication costs to a target
• a Lines chart showing the impact of variations in the Euro/Dollar exchange rate on communication costs.

Graphs and charts are called Flows in DigDash Enterprise. They are created from the Flow page in the Studio.

The Flow page lists the flows previously created in each role. Here, only personal Flows are visible, as there are no other roles.
The panel on the right shows the properties of the selection and provides access to a number of options and functions that we won't go into here.

Creating the graph Communication costs by type of service

Purpose : to display a bar graph showing the Communication Cost by Service Type. From their dashboard, users can navigate the Service Type hierarchy.

1. On the Flow page, click on the New Flow button: the Create a graph or document builder box is displayed.
   

2. In the Comparison category, select Bars: the Flow Properties window appears.
   

First we need to select the data model to be used.

1. In the Data model section, click on the hamburger button to the right of the Name field and then, in the pop-up menu, on Existing.

2. In the Data Model Manager window that appears, select the telecom model from the list and click OK.

The Flow Properties window is then populated with the elements of the data model, such as the measurements and dimensions available in the Measurements/Dimensions panel on the left.
In the centre is the automatic preview, which will give a preview of the graph once the axes have been selected.
Around this area, the various rectangles (Bar, Stack, Multiplier, etc) are used to define the axes of the graph. Simply drag and drop the desired measurements and dimensions into these rectangles.

1. Drag and drop the Communication cost measure onto the Stacking axis .
2. Drag and drop the Department dimension onto Bar: the "Department" dimension: automatic selection of a level window appears. We have already created a hierarchy for this dimension. It is therefore necessary to define the selected level.
3. Keep the automatic selection: Department Type hierarchy and Activity level.
4. Check Add the "Navigate hierarchies" action so that you can then navigate the hierarchies directly on the graph.
   

5. In the Interaction tab of the right-hand panel, you can check that the Navigate in hierarchy action has been applied.
   

6. Use the refresh button  to preview the graph.
   You can activate automatic refresh by clicking on this button and selecting Automatic from the context menu.
   

You can now click on the Main and Support members to move down the manual hierarchy prepared in the data model.

You can finish by entering the name of this new graph: Communication cost per department, then clicking OK at the bottom right of the window to save the graph.

The Communication cost per service chart now appears in the list of your personal Flows.

Creating the Communication costs by region chart

ObjectiveTo create a map showing communication costs by continent. When the dashboard containing this chart is displayed, users can navigate through the continents to display costs by country and then by region.

1. On the Flow page, click on the New Flow button: the Create a chart or document builder box is displayed.
2. In the Maps category, select Map: the Flow Properties window appears.

First we need to select the data model to be used.

1. In the Data model section, click on the hamburger button to the right of the Name field: the "telecom" model is now directly proposed in the pop-up menu.
2. Click on it to select it.

The Flow Properties window is now populated with the elements of the "telecom" data model.
We can now configure the mapping.

1. From the Columns tab, drag and drop the Communication cost measure onto theMeasure axis.
2. Drag and drop the Region dimension onto the Geography axis : the "Region" dimension: automatic selection of a level window opens.
3. Keep the default hierarchy, and tick Add the "Navigate in hierarchies" action to be able to navigate in the different levels of the cartography.
   
4. Refresh the chart preview if necessary.
5. Click, for example, on Europe to see the detailed costs in this area.

You can finish by entering the name of this new chart: Communication costs by region, then clicking OK at the bottom right of the window to save the chart.

The Communication cost by service graph now appears in the list of your personal Flows.

Creating the gauge graph Cost objective

Objective: To create a gauge comparing communication costs with a target, which we have previously defined in the data model.
As a reminder, the company wants to achieve a €21,000 reduction in communication costs.

1. On the Flow page, click on the New Flow button: the Create a graph or document builder box is displayed.
2. In the Indicators category, select Gauge: the Flow Properties window appears.
3. As with the previous graph, start by selecting the "telecom" data model.

The Flow Properties window is then populated with the elements of the "telecom" data model.
We can now configure the gauge.

1. From the Columns tab, drag and drop the Communication cost measure into the Measure area.
2. Right-click on the dropped measurement to check that the selected target is the Downlink Cost as defined in the data model.

3. Refresh the graphical preview if necessary to view the gauge with the cost reduction target of 21,000 euros.

4. You can change the style of the gauge to the right of the Type at the top of the window.

5. Rename the graph: Cost target.
6. Click OK to save the graph and add it to your personal Flows.

Creating the Euro Dollar Simulation graph

Objective To create a graph showing the impact of variations in the euro/dollar exchange rate on communication costs.

1. Create a Lines chart (in the Comparison category).
2. In the Flow Properties window, select the "telecom" data model.
3. From the Columns tab , drag and drop the Communication Cost and Euro Dollar Cost measures onto Lines.
4. Drag and drop the Date dimension onto the Abscissa axis.
   Change the hierarchy to Month Year and the level to Year, then tick Add the "Navigate hierarchies" action.
5. Refresh the graphical preview if necessary to view the curve.

6. Rename the graph: Euro Dollar Simulation.
7. Click OK to save the graph and add it to your personal Flows.

Step 4: Creating the retail data model

Here we are going to import the data from the Excel file "retail.xls" (retrieved earlier) which represents the data from a fictitious retail business.

To do this, switch to the Templates page by clicking on the Templates button on the left of the window.

Importing a data source

To import data from the "retail" source file :

1. Click on the New template button.
2. In the Create a new data model box, select All types in the Files section.
   

The Search for remote documents box is displayed

1. In the Server drop-down list, select "Common Datasources".
2. Click the Add a file to the server... button.
3. The Select a local file or URL box appears, keep the default selection From your computer.
4. Click Browse to select the"retail.xls" file retrieved earlier.
   

5. Click OK.

The file is now saved on the DigDash"Common Datasources" server and accessible to all users.

6. In the Search for remote documents box, select "retail.xls".
   
7. Click OK.

The Excel File box appears. It offers data selection options and a preview of the data.

The elements in the first row of the table correspond to the data types in each column. We will therefore use them as column headings. For example, Warehouse Region for column 1. To do this

1. In the Data selection section, check the First row as header box.
   

We are now going to filter out any rows where the Date field is empty. To do this :

1. In the Data selection section, click on the Add... button
   The Edit filter rule box appears:
   

2. Leave the default values: Date in the first drop-down list and "is not empty" in the second drop-down list.
3. Click OK then Next.

The rule is then added in the corresponding field.

We can now move on to configuring the data model: click on the Next button at the bottom right to open the advanced data model configuration window.

Configuring the data model

The advanced data model configuration window opens on the first Columns tab. You will notice that the title of the second Properties tab is preceded by a cross on a red background.

A name needs to be entered for the data model.

1. Click on the Properties tab .
2. Name the data model "retail".
   

3. Click Finish to close the Advanced configuration box.

The "retail" data model is then added to the list of your Personal Models.

Step 5: Creating a "retail" chart

We are now going to create a chart from the"retail" data model we have just prepared.

Objective To create a Cross table showing the sales achieved on the three best products. The sales trend and margin target will be displayed in the table in the form of icons.

1. On the Flow page, click on the New Flow button: the Create Chart or Document Builder box is displayed.
2. In the Tables category, select Cross table : the Flow Properties window appears.
3. Select the"retail" data model.
   
4. From the Columns tab, drag and drop the Product dimension into the Measures and dimensions area at the top.
5. Create a new column by clicking on thebutton to the right of Column 1 and then Add a column.
   
6. Drag and drop the Sales, Target Margin and Trend measures into the Column 2 area .
7. Drag and drop the Warehouse Region dimension into the left-hand Measures and Dimensions area.
8. In the "Warehouse Region" dimension window : automatic selection of a level is displayed, click OK and then delete the hierarchy.

We are now going to apply a format to the Margin and Trend measurements in order to display them as icons in the table.

1. Right-click on Target Margin and apply the Target format (icon) to it.

   

2. Right-click on Trend and apply the Trend format (icon).

   

Here we want to rank the top 3 sales figures by product. To do this

1. Click on the medal icon at the top of "Column 1" and then enter the following options:

   

2. In Column 1, click on the sorting option:
   • Tick the box.
   • Choose"Sort by measure".
   • Select "Descending".
   • Click on Close to confirm.
     

3. Refresh the graphical preview if necessary to view the Cross table.
   

4. Rename the chart: Sales for top 3 products.

5. Click OK to save the table and add it to your personal Flows.

Step 6: Creating the dashboard

We've finished creating the Flows (charts, map, table) we need to create our dashboard. We can now leave the Studio and move on to creating the dashboard.
To do this, we're going to work in the Dashboard Editor.

Connecting to the Dashboard Editor

1. Return to the DigDash Enterprise home screen. From Studio, you can :
   • Click on the DIGDASH STUDIO logo at the top left of the page.
     
   • Click on Start Page in the expandable menu at the top right.
     
2. Once on theHome screen, click on the Editor button: a login page will open.
3. Enter your user name and password, then click on the Login button: the DIGDASH Editor window will appear.
   

Let's have a quick look at theDashboard Editor.

Choosing a dashboard model and inserting charts

First we will choose a dashboard model, i.e. a layout for the elements on the dashboard page. We can then add the graphics we want.

1. Select My Dashboard then, in the panel to the right of My Dashboard, click on the cogwheel to the right of Display mode.

   

2. In the window which appears, select Templates from the Display mode drop-down list, then click on the cogwheel to access the available templates.
3. In the Templates window that appears, select the"Graphics + Filters at top" template.
   

Your page now contains areas where you can drag and drop graphics or filters.

We are going to insert the following graphs:

• Communication costs by department
• Communication costs by region
• Target Cost
• Turnover for top 3 products

To do this

1. In the left-hand side panel, select Information flows (Existing graphs) to display the list of existing flows.
2. From this list, drag and drop the graphs into the"Drag and Drop Graph" areas of your page.

Adding a filter

We're going to add a line type filter to the page.

1. In the left-hand side panel, select Filters / Variables to display the available filter elements and variables.
2. Drag and drop Line type into the first Dimension area of the dashboard page.
   

Adding a dashboard page

Here we are going to add a dashboard page in which we are going to create a simulation of the communication costs according to the Euro Dollar conversion rate.

1. Click on the + icon to the right of My Dashboard to create a new dashboard page.
2. In the Add a new page box that appears :
   • enter the name Simulation;
   • select Proportional mode then click OK.
      
     ➡ The new page is added.

3. From the Information Flow (Existing Charts) section of the left-hand side panel, drag and drop the Euro Dollar Simulation chart into the new page.
4. From the Filters/Variables section, drag and drop the Euro Dollar variable below the chart.
5. Then drag and drop the Line Type filter to the left of the chart.
6. Save the dashboard by clicking on the Save button at the top right of the window.

Step 7: Displaying the dashboard

You can now view the final result of your work!

To do this, click on the Access the dashboard buttonbutton at the top right of the window.

You can now manipulate your dashboard by clicking on the graphs and filters, or by changing pages.

Congratulations!

You've managed to create a real dashboard from Excel source files.

We've seen how to :

• load a file ;
• configure a data model
• configure charts based on this data model;
• create and configure dashboard pages.

Going further

You can go even further!

With the Studio, DigDash Enterprise lets you go into even more detail in configuring your data models, connect to your databases and join or combine several data sources.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with your DigDash Enterprise administrator or your DigDash referral contact to discuss this!