Comprehensive Guide to Salesforce Dashboard Creation

As your Salesforce journey continues, mastering Reports and Dashboards should be a natural next step following your understanding of the Salesforce data model and of course your company’s customizations. Once you’re able to create Reports that display either standard or custom object record data based on filters and even cross-filters, you’ll be ready to move forward with showcasing them in Salesforce Dashboards.

Here, we’ll investigate the definition of a Dashboard and the different available widgets and components, as well as the process for creating your very own Dashboard from scratch.

What are Dashboards in the salesforce?

Dashboards enable you to make decisions based on the real-time data that you have collected with reports by providing you with a visual representation of changing business situations. You can utilize dashboards in Salesforce to assist users in determining patterns, allocating resources, and assessing the results of their actions.

Dashboards in Salesforce are simply graphical representations of the report(s). It shows data from source reports as visual components. These components show the organization’s key metrics and performance indicators.

Each dashboard can have up to 20 components, and they display data as per the last time the report was run.

What is Dynamic Dashboard in Salesforce?

A single dynamic dashboard in Salesforce can display a standard set of metrics (per the user’s sharing settings) across all levels of an organization. It enables each user to see the data they have access to.

With dynamic dashboards, we can control data visibility without creating separate dashboards. A single dynamic dashboard can display a standard set of metrics across all levels of an organization.

Dashboard Widgets and Components

Dashboards are made up of multiple widgets which you will have to start arranging on the page once you start building one. Not too long ago you could only add charts or tables, but now there are three available widget types you can choose from:

• Chart or Table, which will be powered by your Salesforce Reports.
• Rich Text you can add in the form of instructions, hyperlinks, or guidance that can provide information about the Dashboard or its components.
• Images to allow you to customize and brand the dashboard, for example with your company’s logo.

How to Create Dashboards in Salesforce?

It is easy to create dashboards in Salesforce. We have curated the step-by-step guide for you to follow:

Step 1: Select the Dashboards tab

Step 2: In the upper-right corner, select New Dashboard.

Step 3: Give your dashboard a name and choose a folder. You may also include a description if you’d like.

Step 4: To extract data from a report, click Add Component or Widget. Choose a chart or table from the options provided. Click Select after selecting your report of choice.

Step 5: Choose the data you want to extract from the report, add components on your dashboard, and the format you want it to appear to personalize your component. Click Add after you’re done customizing.

Step 6: Continue adding any additional elements you desire to your dashboard.

Step 7: After all your components have been inserted, click Save and then Done.

Step 8: It has generated your dashboard! Verify that everything appears as it should by reviewing your published dashboard.

Security Settings for Dashboards

The dashboard needs someone’s security and sharing settings. In the Salesforce dashboard, let’s say someone does not have access to all the data, but the dashboard must share the settings of:

• View Dashboard as Me: Then, the user who does not have access to all the data can still see the full dashboard. Everyone can see the data on the dashboard as per the security and sharing settings of the dashboard creator.
• View Dashboard as another Person: Another person’s security and sharing settings are applied to view the dashboard.
• View Dashboard as dashboard Viewer: Known as Dynamic dashboard. Data will be seen in our security and sharing settings.

Explore Readily Available Dashboards on AppExchange

you can always explore the available AppExchange free packages.

Key Considerations

• Each dashboard can display a maximum of 25 components, out of which up to 20 can be Report Charts. 
• The same report can be used for one or multiple widgets.
• You can add up to five Dashboard filters, each filter including a maximum of 50 values.
• Dashboards also support automatic refresh and email. We can schedule it on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Dynamic Dashboards are limited to a maximum of ten, five, or three per org based on the edition. Additional ones can be purchased if needed.