Looker Studio Masterclass

This session might sound a bit technical, but mastering aggregation and numeric calculations is absolutely essential for creating meaningful reports. We'll start by demystifying aggregation, showing you how to summarize and reduce large datasets in various ways – not just by summing!

You'll understand the crucial difference between aggregation (vertical calculation on columns) and calculated fields (horizontal calculations on rows), a distinction that will save you hours of troubleshooting. I'll also cover the nuances of "auto aggregation" and the right way to aggregate ratios to avoid misleading results.

By the end, you'll be able to confidently perform complex numeric transformations and understand the scope of your calculated fields within Looker Studio.

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In this session, we'll dive back into the exciting world of data visualization, focusing on three fundamental chart types in Looker Studio: scorecards, tables, and time series.

You might think you know them all, but I'll show you features and functionalities you might have overlooked, helping you unlock their full potential. We'll explore how to customize scorecards to display comparisons, sparklines, and conditional formatting, making your key metrics pop. For tables, you'll learn advanced display formats, comparison options, and how to use bars and heatmaps for quick visual insights.

Finally, we'll master time series charts, understanding how to effectively show trends, patterns, and comparisons over time.

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Data often comes to us messy, especially text-based data. This session is dedicated to equipping you with the skills to clean, manipulate, and match strings effectively in Looker Studio. We'll cover essential functions like CONCAT, LOWER, UPPER, REPLACE, TRIM, LEFT_TEXT, and RIGHT_TEXT, showing you how to chain them for powerful transformations.

You'll learn how to match strings using STARTS_WITH, ENDS_WITH, and CONTAINS_TEXT, enabling you to categorize data based on specific patterns. We'll also explore how to extract numeric properties from strings, like counting characters or words.

Finally, I'll provide a clear introduction to Regular Expressions (RegEx), a powerful tool for complex string operations, and show you how to leverage AI to simplify your RegEx efforts.

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Categorizing and grouping your data is key to extracting meaningful insights, and in this session, we'll master this crucial transformation skill. We'll start by exploring Boolean data types – fields that hold only "true" or "false" values – and how to create them using logical and comparison operators.

You'll learn to use the versatile IF() function for binary categorizations and then dive deep into the incredibly powerful CASE() function. I'll show you how to use CASE() to create multiple groups based on various conditions, manage the order of clauses for accurate results, and even return expressions or fields dynamically.

By the end, you'll be able to segment your data into custom categories that truly reflect your business needs.

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Categorizing and grouping your data is key to extracting meaningful insights, and in this session, we'll master this crucial transformation skill. We'll start by exploring Boolean data types – fields that hold only "true" or "false" values – and how to create them using logical and comparison operators.

You'll learn to use the versatile IF() function for binary categorizations and then dive deep into the incredibly powerful CASE() function. I'll show you how to use CASE() to create multiple groups based on various conditions, manage the order of clauses for accurate results, and even return expressions or fields dynamically.

By the end, you'll be able to segment your data into custom categories that truly reflect your business needs.

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Dates are fundamental to analytics, and in this session, you'll master working with them in Looker Studio. We'll explore powerful date functions like DATE_DIFF(), NOW(), WEEKDAY(), DATETIME_ADD(), DATETIME_SUB(), EXTRACT(), and DATETIME_TRUNC(), enabling you to calculate durations, extract specific date components, and manipulate timeframes.

You'll also learn how to count dates and perform budget pacing calculations. Beyond dates, we'll venture into special data types. I'll show you how to add dynamic images to your reports using the IMAGE() function, bringing your data to life with visual context.

Finally, you'll discover how to create dynamic hyperlinks using HYPERLINK(), allowing for interactive navigation within your reports and to external resources.

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Maps are incredibly engaging, and in this session, we'll unlock the power of geographic data visualization in Looker Studio. You'll learn about the various geographic data types Looker Studio can plot, from country boundaries and city points to zip codes and even exact latitude/longitude coordinates.

We'll explore the capabilities of both Geo Charts for simple, fast-loading maps, and the more advanced Google Maps integration, where you can customize map layers, enable Street View, and control interactive elements.

I'll show you how to effectively use bubbles, filled areas, and heatmaps to tell compelling stories with your location-based data.

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This session is your deep dive into the foundations of data blending – a critical skill for anyone working with Looker Studio. You'll understand why, despite common misconceptions, a single chart can only connect to one data source, and how data blending helps us work around this limitation by merging up to five data sources into a single "blended" source.

We'll break down the step-by-step process Looker Studio follows when blending data, from extraction to aggregation.

I'll introduce you to the fundamental "Left Outer Join" and teach you to think like Looker Studio, anticipating how data is merged. You'll also learn the initial basics of using calculated fields within these blends.

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Building on our foundational understanding, this session is packed with practical examples and real-world case studies of data blending in action. We'll start by performing manual data blending, literally by hand in a spreadsheet, to solidify your understanding of the underlying process.

Then, we'll dive into various use cases, including data enrichment (like adding population data to sales figures), rolling up data from multiple accounts (e.g., combining different GA4 properties), and even re-aggregating metrics that Looker Studio typically auto-aggregates.

You'll see how blending can be used for currency conversion and other complex data transformations, bringing disparate datasets together for powerful insights.

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In this advanced data blending session, we'll move beyond the basic Left Outer Join to explore the full spectrum of join types available in Looker Studio.

You'll gain a clear understanding of Inner Join and its applications, learning how it differs from a Left Join. We'll discuss the critical importance of the order of tables in a blend and how it impacts your results. I'll also introduce you to Right Outer Join, Full Outer Join, and Cross Join, explaining their unique behaviors and when to strategically use each.

By the end, you'll have a comprehensive grasp of how these different join types can be leveraged to achieve precise data merging for your reports.

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This session takes your data blending skills to the next level by exploring advanced concepts and nuanced scenarios. We'll delve into the intricacies of calculated fields within blends, understanding the difference between "pre-blend" and "post-blend" calculations and how each impacts your data.

You'll learn sophisticated techniques for filtering blended data sources, including how to apply filters that act on pre-blended data and even work around limitations for post-blend fields.

I'll also cover "single table blends" and "self-blends," powerful methods for re-aggregating metrics and performing complex analyses that might otherwise require external tools.

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Good dashboard design is paramount, and in this foundational data visualization session, we'll explore its key principles.

You'll learn about the power of contrast – how differences in size, brightness, saturation, color temperature, line thickness, and font styles can be strategically used to guide the viewer's eye and highlight important information.

We'll then apply this understanding to create visual hierarchy, ensuring your dashboards communicate importance and flow effectively. I'll also delve into the psychology of colors, explaining their meanings and how to use them for categorical versus scalar data.

Finally, we'll touch on accessibility in design, ensuring your dashboards are usable for everyone.

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Building on the foundations of our previous session, we'll continue mastering essential dashboard design principles. You'll learn the critical importance of consistency in every element of your report – from dimension colors and fonts to alignment and spacing – ensuring a professional and intuitive user experience.

We'll then explore how to add crucial context to your metrics, moving beyond isolated numbers to show trends, comparisons to targets and benchmarks, and external events that influence performance. I'll emphasize clarity, teaching you how to define fields, clarify formulas, and ensure your data sources are well-understood.

Finally, we'll dive into the concept of Data-Ink Ratio, optimizing your visuals for maximum information and minimal clutter.

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Now that we've covered the principles, this session is all about the practical application of mastering dashboard design in Looker Studio. You'll learn how to effectively customize your report's layout, from setting header visibility and navigation types to defining canvas size and grid snapping for pixel-perfect alignment.

We'll explore theme customization, allowing you to apply consistent branding and styling across your entire report. I'll show you how to leverage dimension color management for consistent categorical coloring and how to apply page-level style settings for unique page designs.

Finally, you'll discover invaluable time-saving techniques like extracting themes from images, copying and pasting styles, bulk component selection, and using images, icons, and emojis to enhance your dashboard's visual appeal.

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This session is where we truly unlock the visual potential of Looker Studio beyond its built-in charts. You'll discover Community Visualizations, powerful third-party charts developed by the community to extend Looker Studio's capabilities.

I'll show you how to find, add, and configure exciting examples like animated bar charts, candlestick charts, waterfall charts, Sankey diagrams, and heatmaps. But the real magic happens when we introduce , a groundbreaking tool that allows you to create your own custom visualizations using simple HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

You'll see real-life examples of how Templr.pro can bring unique designs, conditional content, and dynamic elements to your dashboards, making them truly stand out.

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Dive deeper into the backbone of your Looker Studio reports in this advanced session on data connectors and data sources. We'll clarify the crucial distinction between "live" and "warehoused" data connectors, understanding their impact on data freshness, speed, and reliability, and when to choose each.

You'll learn about the differences between embedded and reusable data sources, and the strategic implications of each for managing your assets and collaborating with your team.

I'll demystify data credentials, explaining "owner's" vs. "viewer's" credentials and the utility of "service accounts" for BigQuery. We'll also cover caching and data freshness settings, showing you how to optimize report loading times and even leverage BigQuery's BI Engine for blazing-fast performance.

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Dive deeper into the backbone of your Looker Studio reports in this advanced session on data connectors and data sources. We'll clarify the crucial distinction between "live" and "warehoused" data connectors, understanding their impact on data freshness, speed, and reliability, and when to choose each.

You'll learn about the differences between embedded and reusable data sources, and the strategic implications of each for managing your assets and collaborating with your team. I'll demystify data credentials, explaining "owner's" vs. "viewer's" credentials and the utility of "service accounts" for BigQuery.

We'll also cover caching and data freshness settings, showing you how to optimize report loading times and even leverage BigQuery's BI Engine for blazing-fast performance.

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Building on our understanding of interactivity, this session dives into the advanced nuances of filters and controls. We'll explore the subtle yet critical differences between dimension and metric filters, and how to apply multiple filters to a single chart.

You'll gain a deep understanding of the scope and inheritance of filters across your report, pages, groups, and individual charts, learning how to override default behaviors. I'll introduce you to the powerful concept of "bridge fields", a clever technique that allows you to filter data across different data sources with a single control – a game-changer for complex reports.

Finally, you'll learn to create custom bookmark links to share specific filtered views of your reports and gain strategic tips on how much and what kind of interactivity to add for maximum impact.

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This session is a deep dive into parameters, the groundbreaking feature that allows you to collect input directly from your report viewers. You'll learn how to define parameters of different data types (text, numbers, booleans) and set their default values.

I'll show you various methods for collecting these parameter values from your audience, including input boxes, sliders, and checkboxes. Most importantly, you'll discover how to display and use these parameter values in your charts and calculated fields.

Imagine creating dynamic dashboards where users can input their own targets, simulate "what-if" scenarios, or even toggle specific data views – transforming your reports into powerful, personalized tools for analysis.

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Ensuring your reports reach the right audience securely is paramount, and this session covers all aspects of sharing, presentation, and security in Looker Studio. You'll learn the various options for sharing both reports and data sources, from restricted access to public links.

We'll explore how to restrict actions viewers and editors can take, such as preventing copying or downloading. I'll show you how to download reports as PDFs for offline use and embed them on websites or blogs for broader reach.

You'll also master scheduled email delivery, automating report distribution at set frequencies. Finally, we'll cover Looker Studio's presentation mode for impactful live displays, ensuring your insights are delivered effectively.

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In this session, we'll explore compelling real-world use cases and case studies that highlight the incredible power of parameters in Looker Studio. You'll see how parameters can be leveraged in BigQuery connections to create dynamic queries, allowing users to analyze data based on their input, such as identifying population around specific geographic coordinates.

I'll show you how to set parameter values directly through the report URL, enabling pre-filtered or pre-configured views. We'll examine a client case study on service planning and market expansion, demonstrating how parameters can build interactive tools for strategic decision-making.

Finally, we'll build a search query analysis tool from scratch, showcasing advanced filtering and visualization techniques using parameters.

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As your Looker Studio portfolio grows, effective asset management becomes crucial. This session equips you with the tools and techniques to track, audit, and manage your reports and data sources efficiently.

You'll learn how to audit Looker Studio log events, seeing who accessed, edited, or shared your assets and when. I'll show you how to use manual report publishing to work on reports without disrupting your audience's experience. We'll also cover tracking report usage with Google Analytics 4, providing insights into how your dashboards are consumed. You'll understand version history for both reports and data sources, allowing you to revert changes.

Finally, I'll share practical naming conventions to keep your Looker Studio environment organized and easily searchable.

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A slow report can undermine even the most brilliant insights. This session is dedicated to understanding and optimizing Looker Studio's report speed and performance.

We'll break down what impacts report load time, from data retrieval and transformation to rendering. You'll learn practical strategies for reducing the number of API requests and queries, minimizing data retrieval time (including leveraging data warehouses and Looker Studio's "Extract Data" feature), and optimizing data transformation within Looker Studio.

I'll also provide tips for reducing chart render time and, crucially, for optimizing the editor experience to make your own work in Looker Studio faster and more efficient.

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Step into the future of analytics with this session on leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Looker Studio. We'll begin by establishing a framework for adopting AI in your data workflows, ensuring you stay in control and understand the risks and benefits. I'll then provide interactive demos of Gemini AI features directly within Looker Studio (currently a Pro feature).

You'll see how AI can boost your data transformation with a Formula Assistant that helps write complex calculations, and enhance your visualization with Google Slides generation for instant presentations.

We'll also explore conversational analytics, allowing you to "chat" with your data and get instant insights, pushing the boundaries of traditional reporting.

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Curious about Looker Studio Pro? This session demystifies its features, helping you make an informed decision about upgrading. I'll clarify pricing and common misconceptions, debunking myths about cost and capabilities.

You'll understand asset ownership within a Google Cloud organization and how folders and team workspaces revolutionize asset management. We'll explore enhanced automated report delivery options and learn how to create alerts on charts, receiving notifications when key metrics hit specific thresholds.

I'll also provide a live demo of the Looker Studio mobile app, showing you how to access your reports on the go. This session is designed to give you a clear picture of Pro's value.

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This session ties up loose ends and covers a collection of valuable, often overlooked topics in Looker Studio. You'll learn about email filters and row-level security, a powerful feature that allows you to personalize reports for each viewer, ensuring they only see their relevant data.

We'll explore various sharing and embedding tips, including generating report thumbnails, creating report templates, and leveraging "app view" for a more seamless, white-label embedding experience. I'll also cover manual report publishing, allowing you to work on drafts without disrupting your audience.

Finally, you'll discover techniques for tracking report usage with Google Analytics 4 and utilizing version history for robust asset management and auditing.

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