Pull data from a Dashboard
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      3. Pull data from a Dashboard

      Quick-start Guide: Data from a Dashboard

      Generate slides from a dashboard with these simple steps.

      To use data from Google Sheets or Excel, jump to our Quick-start Guide for Spreadsheets.

      Step 1. Connect a Data Source

      Slideform can pull in any element from your dashboard (charts, images, KPIs, tables, & filters) for use in your slides. Select your dashboard platform below for specific connection instructions.

      Once the dashboard is connected, visit the Data Sources page to view the captured data. See How to manage your data sources for details.

      Step 2. Upload a Template

      To create a slide deck template, make a copy of a prior version of your report and identify the fields that change from one version to another, such as charts, data tables, metrics, client names, and images. Replace these elements with placeholders that will be filled in from your data sources.

      If you use Google Slides, Authenticate with Google to easily pull in your template.

      Once the template is ready, go to New Project, select your template, and Save.

      Tips to create placeholders:

      • Charts: Create a shape on the slide to hold the chart, then double-click inside the shape and type in the placeholder, like {{chart:name}}.
      • Data tables: Create a shape on the slide to hold the table, then double-click inside the shape and type in the placeholder, like {{data:name}}.
      • Text, numbers, KPIs: Create a placeholder with the font, size, and color that you want in the output. 

      See How to Create a Slide Deck Template for more details.

       

      Step 3. Match Data to Template

      The last part of setup is to link data from connected data sources to each placeholder in your slide template.

      Data Types:

      • Charts or images: From the Data Sources page, you can preview your dashboard charts and send them directly to your template.

         

        Or - you can set the chart from the project's Configure Data page. Enable your data source under the Data Sources tab at the top of the page. On the Description page, find the placeholder and click Preset a Value. Select the data source and chart from the dropdown menus.
      • Data tables: Go to Configure Data for your project. Enable your data source under the Data Sources tab at the top of the page. On the Description page, find the placeholder and click Preset a Value. Select the data source and configure the table, columns, and any relevant filter values.
      • Numbers or KPIs: Go to Configure Data for your project and click Preset a Value on the placeholder for the KPI. Select the data source and the chart or table that contains the value. Then select the data column and use the filter to select the correct value.
      Many other types of data can be inserted as well, see How to Configure the Data Mapping for more details. Or review this Example Data Mapping.

      Step 4. Generate a Presentation

      To create output, go to the Projects page and click Generate on the project card. 

      If any placeholders were not mapped to data, you will have the opportunity to either fill them in or skip them. See How to Generate a Presentation for more details.

      You can save the output as either PowerPoint, Google Slides, or pdf. The output will then be available to view or download from the Downloads section of the Projects page.

       

      Advanced Features

      Explore all the features and capabilities of Slideform's automation solution.

      Advanced Settings, and Scheduling

      Set a Dynamic Filter for a Dashboard

      Manage Data Sources

      Manage Slideform Output

      For additional help, contact support@slideform.co 😊