3.10. Managing Your Data Sources

In this lesson we will go over the ways we can manage our data sources:

• Sharing a reusable data source
• Reconnecting to a similar dataset
• Duplicating a data source, useful for templated data modeling
• Converting from Embedded to Reusable

Sharing Data Sources

Data sources in Looker Studio can be shared with others, either individually or as part of a report. Share a reusable data source with your team members, allowing them to create their own reports using the same data source.

Duplicating Data Sources

Data sources, especially reusable ones, can be duplicated. When duplicating a data source, all settings, custom fields, calculations, and data modeling are duplicated as well. This is useful when working with similar datasets or projects that only require changes in the account being connected. Additionally, leveraging the Looker Studio cache can optimize performance by reducing the load on data sources.

For example, you can create a main data source with all the necessary calculations and processing, such as channel grouping or data cleaning. When working with new clients of the same type, duplicate the data source and connect it to a new account to save time.

Reconnecting Data Sources

You can reconnect a data source to a new account or the same account. This is helpful when there are issues with the connection or when using templates.

Converting Data Sources

Data sources can be converted from embedded to reusable, but not back to embedded.

Naming Convention

Since Looker Studio doesn't have folders for reports and data sources, use a clear naming convention for easy management. Start with a 4-5 letter code for the client, followed by the name of the tool and connector being used. This helps identify the fields and behavior you can expect from the data source. Finally, include the specific entity being connected to (e.g., the name of the sheet, dataset, table, or ad account).

Note: Clients or users with view-only access to your reports cannot view the title or fields within the data source. These details can only be viewed by people with edit access.

By mastering these data source management techniques in Looker Studio, you can efficiently collaborate with your team and handle multiple projects with ease.

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