Designing Components for Reports and Dashboards
Designing Components for Reports and Dashboards
Short description explaining what the learner will understand after completing this study map.
Designing Reports & Dashboards
Design reporting experiences around the audience, delivery method, organizational style, readability, accessibility, and the story the data needs to communicate.
A technically correct visual is not automatically the right visual. Validate the numbers first, then choose a reporting format and visual that help the intended audience understand and use the information.
Essential Terms
Tap each card to review essential terminology for designing reports and dashboards.
Reporting Types & Visuals
Distinguish the three main reporting formats and the visual types commonly used to communicate data.
Choose the Right Delivery Method
Match the reporting method to how the audience needs to consume and work with the information.
Dashboard
Interactive and screen-oriented. Best for high-level insight, exploration, filtering, slicers, and navigation across related views.
Paginated Report / Spreadsheet
Interactive and screen-oriented. Best for high-level insight, exploration, filtering, slicers, and navigation across related views.
Design Workflow
Use an audience-first workflow to reduce rework and improve usability.
Design Elements & Reporting Standards
Review branding, color, typography, labeling, accessibility, versioning, dates, references, and other standard report elements.
Communication Explorer
Explore how navigation, written narrative, and supporting material help audiences consume a report or dashboard.
Key Takeaways
Review the highest-value exam concepts before the knowledge check.
Design for the consumer: choose the correct reporting method and visual, follow branding and accessibility guidance, use meaningful labels/titles, and include context such as version, refresh date, print date, references, and narrative.
Refresh date and print date are different: refresh date identifies when the data was last updated; print date identifies when the report output was produced.
Knowledge Check
Check your understanding of report and dashboard design concepts.