Looker Studio is a tool designed to simplify data representation through the creation of dynamic dashboards for your reporting. This tool is part of the Mountain View Marketing Platform, a collection of utilities designed to optimize your website from every point of view. Here, in fact, you can find Google Analytics and Search Console .
These are essential to get the most out of your online presence , but when it comes to representing numbers and data storytelling, the quality of this tool cannot be ignored.
That is to say, Looker Studio, a faithful ally of every self-respecting web performer and a companion in adventure for every web analyst. Do we want to go deeper? Here is a clear presentation of the functions and advantages for those who decide to seriously use this tool to create advanced dashboards and reports.
Table of Contents
What is Looker Studio, definition
How to access Looker Studio
What are the advantages of this tool?
Automating updates
Always personalized dashboards
Ease of use and reading
How does Looker Studio work?
Create a new project
What are the sources of the data?
Main formulas and functions
Choose templates and graphics
Share the work
Want to take advantage of Looker Studio?
What is Looker Studio, definition
Looker Studio is a custom report visualization and presentation tool that allows you to identify sources from which to draw to create customizable dashboards. The beta version was presented in 2016 but only on September 21, 2018 this software was released with the name of Google Data Studio. In 2022 it then took the name of Looker Studio.
The essential advantage, and the main difference between this tool and any other tool for managing reports, is the possibility of using connectors to obtain data flows that start from different tools and flow into customized documentation that can update itself automatically.
Must Read: How to Improve User ExperienceFurthermore, sharing reports is simple, you can allow collaborators and customers to access them in total independence by defining roles and permissions to have everything under control .
Text ENDS_WITH Returns true if X ends with a given text. Otherwise, returns false. Case sensitive. ENDS_WITH(X, text)
Text LEFT_TEXT Returns a number of characters starting from the beginning of X. The number of characters is specified by the length parameter. LEFT_TEXT(X, length)
Text LENGTH Returns the number of characters in X. LENGTH(X)
Text LOWER Converts X to lowercase. LOWER(X)
Text REGEXP_CONTAINS Returns true if X contains the regular expression pattern, otherwise returns false. REGEXP_CONTAINS(X, regular_expression)
Text REGEXP_EXTRACT Returns the corresponding substring in X that matches the regular expression pattern. REGEXP_EXTRACT(X, regular_expression)
Text REGEXP_MATCH Returns true if X matches the regular expression pattern. Otherwise, returns false. REGEXP_MATCH(X, regular_expression)
Text REGEXP_REPLACE Replaces all occurrences of text matching the regular expression pattern in X
How to access Looker Studio
Generally for personal use it can be used permanently at home or office. To make international calls to the US, dial “+” or “011” followed by the buy phone number list area code and number. The rules for changing your phone number in the US are very strict. I can know more about phone number system, North American numbering plan etc. in Wikipedia.
To start working with this tool just click on the official link lookerstudio.google.com . Here you will find the initial dashboard that allows you to take the first steps in this reality capable of simplifying reporting. Which is based on two fundamental principles: the choice of a report and the definition of the sources. Remember that Looker Studio is free, you can easily access it without any commitment.Text SUBSCRIBE Returns a text that is a substring of X. The substring begins at the starting index and has a length equal to the characters in length. SUBSTR(X, start index, length)
Text TRIM Returns X with leading and trailing spaces removed. TRIM(X)
Text UPPER Converts X to uppercase letters. UPPER(X)
Various CAST Cast a field or expression to TYPE. Aggregate fields are not allowed in CAST. TYPE can be NUMBER, TEXT, or DATETIME. CAST(field_expression AS TYPE)
Various HYPERLINK Returns a hyperlink to the URL, marked with the link label. HYPERLINK(URL, link label)
Various IMAGE Create image fields in the data source IMAGE(Image URL, [Alternative Text])
Various NATIVE_DIMENSION Returns the result of an SQL expression as evaluated by the underlying dataset. The expression cannot include aggregations. NATIVE_DIMENSION(“JSON_VALUE(‘{“name”: “Dana”}’, ‘$.name’)”,”STRING”)
Using the CASE conditional function , you can create new metrics and dimensions to use in dashboards.
What are the advantages of this tool?
In addition to its free nature, Looker Studio represents a standard for generating report and summary documents for verifying the achieved objectives thanks to three features.
Automating updates
Convenience: With data connectors you can implement automatic number updates. You change the widgets and items to be presented in the dashboard and you can create reports that are always up to date.
dashboard search console connectors
But also dynamic. One of the strengths to improve the analysis of numbers – and the related actions to be put into practice to exploit the data – is the possibility of defining in a clear and simple way the source of the values and the time interval . To bring out the numbers that are needed in relation to the useful KPIs.
Always personalized dashboards
Here is a fundamental aspect, I would say decisive, to push a data analysis professional to use this tool. Here you can create personalized dashboards, tailor-made for the reality you are dealing with. Numbers are the basis of empirical work.
This is the linchpin of an optimization that cannot be improvised. But which is based on a data driven approach : having a control panel designed for the single project, updated in real time, is the starting point for understanding how and why to optimize a certain aspect of the general strategy.
Ease of use and reading
A great benefit of this utility for enthusiasts and professionals of KPI monitoring : it takes just a moment to get started. The mechanism of use is simple, immediate. And you can do a great job of data blending by merging different sources that also come from distant realities.
How does Looker Studio work?
Looker Studio is based on a key point: transforming the art of data visualization into a step within everyone’s reach. It is not difficult to use this tool and there are many templates to use. The first ones are on the home page, along with an empty default report.
looker studio kpi analysis
Template by Looker Studio.
To start working with this fundamental tool in the fields of SEO, advertising and search engine marketing in general – especially when it comes to large projects, portals and e-commerce – you need to access the official address and start setting up the data input sources from the Internet.
Create a new project
The first step to start your adventure on Looker Studio: go to the home page and choose the option to create reports thanks to a personalized dashboard. Which summarizes a series of parameters that you can customize by deciding which data source to use to obtain useful information.with the replacement string. REGEXP_REPLACE(X, regular_expression, replacement)
Text REPLACE Returns a copy of X with all occurrences of Y in X replaced by Z. REPLACE(X, Y, Z)
Text RIGHT_TEXT Returns a number of characters starting from the end of X. The number of characters is specified by the length parameter. RIGHT_TEXT(X, length)
Text STARTS_WITH Returns true if X begins with a given text. Otherwise, returns false. Case sensitive. STARTS_WITH(X, text)
What are the sources of the data?
Looker Studio allows you to create representations by inserting values. Which can be a simple and automated step thanks to connectors .
That is, sources that can be of a what is javascript here’s a complete discussion different nature, linked or not to Mountain View: Google Connector , Partner Connector and Open Source Connector. Remember that you can use data sources in the same report with dimensions, metrics and parameters. Here is the list of fundamental connectors:
Cloud SQL.
DoubleClick.
Campaign Manager.
Cloud Spanner.
Google Analytics.
Google Ads.
Attribution 360.
BigQuery.
Cloud SQL for My SQL.
Google Sheets.
Search Console.
Google BigQuery.
YouTube Analytics.
MySQL.
PostgreSQL.
The list doesn’t end here. You can also integrate different sources such as those of the main social networks and specific SEO tools such as SEMrush and SeoZoom . Without forgetting that there is a specific solution for the Search Console. So every SEO analysis report becomes easy.
Main formulas and functions
Looker Studio features allow for advanced data manipulation and analysis. We can use formulas in calculated fields to get detailed reports. Here is the full list.
(scroll the table to the right to see all the information)HOUSES conditional Evaluates the condition ( condition) of each subsequent WHEN clause and returns the first result ( result) where the condition ( condition) is true; any remaining WHEN and ELSE clauses are not evaluated. If all conditions are false or NULL, returns else_result if is present; otherwise, returns NULL. CASE WHEN condition THEN result [WHEN condition THEN result] […] [ELSE else_result] END
HOUSE (simple) conditional Compares input_ expression with expression_to_match each subsequent WHEN clause and returns the first result (result) where this comparison evaluates to true. CASE input_expression WHEN expression_to_match THEN result [WHEN expression_to_match THEN result] […] [ELSE result] END
Conditional IFNULL Returns a result if the input is null, otherwise returns the input. IFNULL(input_expression, null_result)
Conditional COALESCE Returns the first non-missing value found in a list of fields.
Date HOUR Returns the time of a date and time. HOUR(datetime_expression)
Date MINUTE Returns the minute component of a specified date and time. MINUTE(datetime_expression)
Date MONTH Returns the month from a date and time value. MONTH(date_expression)
Date PARSE_DATE Converts text to a date. PARSE_DATE(format_string, text)
Date PARSE_DATETIME Converts text to a date with time. PARSE_DATETIME(format_string, text)
Date QUARTER Returns the quarter of the year of a specified date. QUARTER(date_expression)
Date SECOND Returns the seconds component of a specified date and time. SECOND(datetime_expression)
Date TODAY Returns a compatibility-mode formatted date. TODATE(X, Input Format, Output Format)
Date TODAY Returns the current date according to the specified or default time zone.
Choose templates and graphics
One of the great conveniences of Looker Studio: the ability to customize the aesthetics of the report with a custom-designed dashboard. Like, for ao lists example, the template for summarizing the parameters of a YouTube channel where you can identify and gather all the numbers related to the account.
google data studio template youtube
Two other Looker Studio templates that are particularly loved by those who work every day with web marketing and data analysis to create reports: the one dedicated to the Search Console, essential for highlighting SEO developments, and the specific model for summarizing Google Analytics activity.
data studio templates for google analytics
Finally, how can you give up the dashboard to summarize Google Ads data? In addition, you have a series of widgets, formatted texts and modules to activate to further improve the presentation of this dashboard. For example, you can add the Google Map module , a pie chart or bar graph to better express your needs. And, of course, your data useful for the final purpose.
Share the work
Want to give concrete feedback to your customers or other people on your team? Share a report in just a few clicks using Looker Studio’s features found in the controls at the top right.
dashboard report sharing
Here you can enter the emails of the contacts you are interested in and decide whether you want it to be a read-only view or with the possibility of making interventions. Interesting aspect: there is maximum interaction with Google Drive , an indispensable tool for always effective online collaborations.
Another aspect not to forget: Looker Studio dashboards can be public, shareable with a link, and embedded in a web page with an HTML iframe .
Must Read: Problem Solving Techniques for Data Analysis
Want to take advantage of Looker Studio?
The ability to customize the data dashboard is a central point to improve the optimization work , to implement that continuous deming cycle that leads you to improve the website.
Looker Studio is a great tool that I use to create custom reports and dashboards for my clients. Want to learn more about my data analysis and presentation work? TODAY([time_zone])
Date UNIX_DATE Returns the number of days since 1970-01-01. UNIX_DATE(date_expression)
Date WEEK Returns the week number for a specified date. WEEK(Date)
Date WEEKDAY Returns a number representing the day of the week for a specified date. WEEKDAY(Date)
Date YEAR Returns the year of a specified date. YEAR(Date)
Date YEARWEEK Returns the year and week number of a specified date. YEARWEEK(Date)
Geographic data TOCITY Returns the city name for X. TOCITY(X [,Input Format])
Geographic data TOCONTINENT Returns the continent name for X. TOCONTINENT(X [,Input Format])
Geographic data TOCOUNTRY Returns the country name for X. TOCOUNTRY(X [,Input Format])
Geographic data TOREGION Returns the name of the geographic region for X. TOREGION(X [,Input Format])
Geographic data TOSUBCONTINENT Returns the name of the subcontinent for X. TOSUBCONTINENT(X [,Input Format])
IF conditional If condition true, is returned true_result, otherwise is returned false_result. false_result is not evaluated if condition true. true_result is not evaluated if condition false or NULL. IF(condition, true_result, false_result)
Text CONCAT Returns a text that is the concatenation of X and Y. CONCAT(X, Y)
Text CONTAINS_TEXT Returns true if X contains text. Otherwise, returns false. Case sensitive. CONTAINS_TEXT(X, text).
