Software developers can use the Looker Studio Linking API to provide pre-configured reports that let you view and interact with your data in a seamless "1-click" experience.
When you share a report created using the Linking API, you'll see a Review data access dialog box asking you to review the settings that control access to the report's data.
Learn more about the Linking API.
Background
In Looker Studio, connecting to your data involves the following components:
- Connectors connect Looker Studio to your underlying data. Connecting to your data creates a data source in Looker Studio.
- Data sources represent a particular instance of a connector: for example, a connection to a specific BigQuery table or query, a Google Analytics property, or a Google Sheet. Data sources let you configure the fields and options provided by the connector used to create that connection instance. In addition, the data source gives you a secure way to share information and insights with report viewers who may not be able to directly access the underlying data.
- Credentials determine who can access the data provided by a data source.
Before you share a report that has been generated with the Linking API, you should make sure that the connection details look correct and that the credentials meet your needs for data security. The Review data access dialog box helps you understand where the data in the report is coming from and who will be able to see it.
For each data source added to the report you can review the following:
Connection details
This section describes the connection configuration. These details will differ depending on which connector was used to create the data source.
What you should review
Be sure that the data set, account details, and custom SQL (if applicable) are appropriate.
See the connector documentation here.
Used in report
This section tells you how many charts use the data source. If a data source isn't used by any of the charts, you can safely remove it by clicking the "Manage data sources here" link in the dialog.
You can also edit and remove data sources after you save the report via the Resource > Manage added data sources menu option.
Credentials
A data source's credentials determine who can access the data provided by that data source:
- Owner's credentials uses the credentials of the data source owner to authorize access to the data set. This option lets you share reports that use this data source without requiring report viewers to have their own access to the underlying data set.
Before sharing a report or data source that uses Owner's credentials, be sure that you trust the person or persons with whom you share them.
- Viewer's credentials requires anyone attempting to view the data that is provided by this data source to have their own access to the data set.
- Service account credentials uses a special type of Google account that is intended to represent a non-human user that can authenticate and be authorized to access your data.
What you should review
Sharing a report that includes data sources that use Owner's credentials allows anyone to see your data. If the report you are sharing comes from a trusted source (for example, Google or a developer in your own organization), and the person you are sharing the report with is also known to you and trusted, then you can most likely accept the default configuration.
However, if either the developer of the report or the person you are sharing with is not known to or trusted by you, you may want to use Viewer's credentials for the added data sources. People who view the shared report must be able to provide their own credentials to see the data.
Take action
To change the data source connection details or credentials, click Edit.
Learn how to:
Share the report
To share the report with the current data source configuration, scroll to the bottom of the dialog and then click Continue.