12.4. Parameters: From Creation to Visualization

In this lesson, we'll go through an example of using a numeric parameter in Looker Studio. We'll cover creating a parameter in the data source, getting user input, and utilizing the input for calculations and visualization.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

Create a parameter in the data source with a specific data type and range.
Use controls to get user input for the parameter.
Utilize the input in calculations and visualizations in Looker Studio.
Create custom fields for calculations and visualizations.
Understand the significance of different background colors in Looker Studio.

Creating a Parameter

First, let's establish a few things for this lesson:

White background with black text represents live data from a data source, like Google Analytics.
Purple background indicates a parameter or anything related to it.
Yellow or other backgrounds indicate calculations based on the input parameters.

To create a parameter in the data source, follow these steps:

Head to your data source and select it.
Click "Add a parameter."
Enter the name, ID, data type, and range for the parameter.
Save the parameter.

Note: In Looker Studio, dimensions are green, metrics are blue, and parameters are purple.

Getting User Input

To get user input for the parameter, use a control:

Look for a number input box in the controls section.
Place the input box on your page.
Change the size and color to indicate that this is a parameter input.
Link the parameter to the input box by searching for it and dragging it to the control.

Now you have an input box connected to the parameter, with a default value set.

Using Input in Calculations and Visualization

To use the input in calculations, create a custom field for the parameter and define the calculation formula. For example, if you want to calculate a percentage change based on the user input, you can create a custom field called "Percentage Change" and use the formula:

Percentage Change / 100

Now you can use this custom field in your calculations, such as revenue projections for the next quarter:

Revenue * (1 + (Percentage Change / 100))

You can also display the parameter value directly on a scorecard by creating a custom field and setting the data type to a percentage.

That's it! You've successfully created a parameter, gathered user input, and used the input for calculations and visualization in Looker Studio. This can be a powerful tool for business owners or marketers to make projections based on historical data and user input.