Once you've connected to your underlying dataset, created a report, and added some visualizations, you can search for insights by exploring the data in the following ways:
Filters
Filters limit the data in a report to a specified value or set of values. You can apply the following types of filters in a Looker Studio report:
Filter properties
Filter properties are static and persistent filters that only report editors can create or modify. You can apply filter properties to a single component, a group of components, a page, or the entire report. Using filter properties lets you focus on the data that best communicates the story you want to tell, making your reports more relevant to your audience. You can also use filter properties to remove irrelevant data, such as null values.
Learn how to create persistent filter properties.
Controls
Controls provide a dynamic and flexible way for both viewers and editors to filter the data. Filters you apply using controls while editing a report persist when you switch to view mode, but refreshing the report resets controls to their default values. Controls affect only the data that you see; applying a filter control has no effect on other users' views of that data. You can, however, use controls to customize the data in a report and preserve those filters when you share the report with a link or scheduled delivery.
Learn more about controls.
Quick filters
Quick filters let editors filter a report without actually changing the report configuration for other users. Quick filters exist only in edit mode and do not persist in view mode. Quick filters that you add are only visible to you. They don't appear to other viewers or editors of the report.
Learn how to add a quick filter.
Chart interactions
You can interact directly with charts in both view and edit modes to refine the data that you see in the chart.
Cross filter
Cross-filtering turns your charts into interactive filters. When cross-filtering is enabled for a chart, interacting with that chart acts as a filter on other charts in the report.
Learn more about chart cross-filtering.
Zoom and pan
Zoom and pan lets viewers magnify a portion of a chart. After you zoom into a chart, you can also pan on that chart to view all the data that is present. Zooming and panning can help you focus on specific areas of a data-dense visualization, such as when you want to highlight a portion of your data or review more granular details.
Learn more about zoom and pan.
Sort
Sorting lets both viewers and editors change the order of the data in a chart without editing the chart configuration.
As an editor, you have two ways to sort the data in the charts in your reports:
- Sort the chart interactively by right-clicking the chart in view or edit mode and then selecting the desired sort option.
- Specify the default sort order in the chart SETUP properties.
Freeze columns in table charts
Freezing columns lets viewers and editors pin one or more columns to the left side of table charts. This ability is useful when you're scrolling horizontally through table charts with many columns.
To freeze columns, hover your cursor over a table chart and click the three-dot More menu. Then, select the Freeze column option.
More ways to explore your data
Optional metrics
Optional metrics let viewers and editors choose the metrics to display in charts and tables without editing the chart configuration.
Learn more about optional metrics.
Drill down
Drilling down lets viewers and editors explore data hierarchies by revealing additional levels of detail within a chart.
Learn more about chart drill down.
Share your insights
Looker Studio offers a variety of ways to share with others the insights that you find from your data. Learn more about ways to share your reports.