> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sourcemedium.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Looker Studio Guide

> Navigate your SourceMedium dashboard, create custom views, and understand credential modes

## Quick Start

Your SourceMedium dashboard is built in Looker Studio (formerly Google Data Studio). Here's what you need to know to get started.

### Navigating the Dashboard

<Steps>
  <Step title="Use the page selector">
    Click the page dropdown (top left) or use the navigation menu to switch between report sections.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply date filters">
    Use the date range picker to adjust the reporting period. Most dashboards default to the last 30 days.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use dimension filters">
    Filter by channel, product, region, or other dimensions using the dropdown controls.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hover for details">
    Hover over charts to see detailed tooltips with exact values.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Visual learner?** Check out [this 20 minute Looker Studio crash course](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coe_f79Xc2o\&t=706s) or Google's [quick-start guide](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/9171315?hl=en#zippy=).
</Tip>

***

## Glossary

Understanding these key terms will help you navigate Looker Studio effectively.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Report">
    A Looker Studio asset that contains a collection of **components** (charts, tables, controls) to present insights from your data.

    [Additional Documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6309867?sjid=14391589404630611402-NC#zippy=%2Cin-this-article)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connector / Data Source">
    **Connectors** connect Looker Studio to your underlying data. Connecting creates a **data source** in Looker Studio.

    **Data sources** represent a particular instance of a connector—for example, a connection to a specific BigQuery table, a Google Analytics property, or a Google Sheet. Data sources let you configure fields and options, and provide a secure way to share insights with viewers who may not have direct access to the underlying data.

    [Additional Documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6268208?ref_topic=6370331\&sjid=14391589404630611402-NC#zippy=%2Cin-this-article)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Component">
    A widget you add to a report to display data: **charts**, **tables**, **date range controls**, **filter controls**, etc. Data components get their information from a **data source**.

    You can also add **text**, **shapes**, **images**, and [embedded content](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/9132022).

    [Additional Documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6291062?ref_topic=12141289\&sjid=14391589404630611402-NC#zippy=%2Cin-this-article)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Field">
    A column of data. Looker Studio uses two basic types:

    * **Dimensions** — Categories or attributes you want to group by (e.g., `sm_channel`, `product_title`)
    * **Metrics** — Numbers that measure things (e.g., `order_net_revenue`, `orders`)

    [Additional Documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/7625527?sjid=14391589404630611402-NC#zippy=%2Cin-this-article)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Credentials">
    The mechanism determining who can see data in a data source. See [Credential Modes](#credential-modes-explained) below.

    [Additional Documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6371135)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## View vs Edit Mode

### View Mode (Default)

* Interact with filters and controls
* Hover over charts for details
* Cannot modify dashboard structure

### Edit Mode

* Modify charts, add new visualizations
* Change data sources and calculations
* **Requires Editor permission**

<Warning>
  **Be careful in Edit mode.** Changes affect everyone who views the dashboard. If you want to experiment, make a copy first: **File → Make a copy**.
</Warning>

***

## Credential Modes Explained

Looker Studio dashboards can use two different credential modes for data access. Understanding this helps troubleshoot "no data" issues.

### Owner's Credentials (Recommended)

* **How it works**: Dashboard uses the owner's BigQuery permissions
* **Viewers see**: Data without needing their own BigQuery access
* **Best for**: Sharing dashboards broadly within your organization

### Viewer's Credentials

* **How it works**: Each viewer must have their own BigQuery access
* **Viewers see**: Only data they have permission to access
* **Best for**: Dashboards with sensitive data requiring row-level security

<Info>
  SourceMedium dashboards typically use **Owner's Credentials** so your team can view data without individual BigQuery access.
</Info>

***

## SourceMedium Templates

If you're on our [Managed Data Warehouse](/data-activation/managed-data-warehouse/overview) solution, SourceMedium provides template reports and data sources:

* [Looker Studio Template Copy Instructions](/data-activation/template-resources/looker-studio-template-copy-instructions)
* [Data Source Template Directory](/data-activation/template-resources/sm-looker-data-source-template-directory)
* [Report Template Directory](/data-activation/template-resources/sm-looker-report-template-directory)

***

## Creating & Managing Data Sources

Data sources connect your reports to data stored in BigQuery, Google Sheets, Google Analytics, etc.

### Creating a New Data Source

**Prerequisite**: You must be logged into a Google account with BigQuery access.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Option 1: Create from your report (Edit mode)">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.07.22_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=306b6d1eb5b9c67e7d72df1534392239" alt="Create data source from report" width="1762" height="879" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.07.22_AM.png" />
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Option 2: Create from Looker Studio home page">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.05.39_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=7e8a39d60149930770c300c9afb29382" alt="Create data source from home" width="1577" height="483" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.05.39_AM.png" />
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select the BigQuery connector">
    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.09.15_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=77c031f5f766eae456b34042557bc866" alt="Select BigQuery connector" width="1703" height="815" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.09.15_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your data">
    **From an existing table:**

    1. Under My Projects, select your SourceMedium warehouse
    2. Select a Dataset (e.g., `sm_transformed_v2`) and Table (e.g., `obt_orders`)
    3. Click **Add**

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.11.30_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=83a2f6fee283c64d4e42ed15a11698ec" alt="Select BigQuery table" width="1713" height="772" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.11.30_AM.png" />

    **From a custom query:**

    1. Select **Custom Query** from the left menu
    2. Select your project
    3. Write your SQL query
    4. Click **Add**

           <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.18.39_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=3bd836841c0fa393620e27dc950bebd0" alt="Custom SQL query" width="1763" height="889" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_9.18.39_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure and share">
    Rename your data source descriptively (e.g., "Orders OBT", "\[MyBrand] Orders") and configure access.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Data Source Best Practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Naming conventions">
    Name data sources to clearly indicate the underlying table:

    * ✅ `Orders OBT`, `[MyBrand] Orders`, `Ad Performance Daily`
    * ❌ `Data Source 1`, `Copy of Copy of Orders`
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Field naming and descriptions">
    BigQuery fields use `snake_case` (e.g., `order_net_revenue`). You can rename fields for readability, but:

    * **Copy the original field name into the Description field** — this is your only reference for looking up definitions
    * For calculated fields, include the formula in the Description
    * Don't edit Descriptions on SourceMedium template data sources
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Service account credentials">
    For production data sources, use a [service account](https://cloud.google.com/iam/docs/service-account-overview) as the Data Credential:

    * Ensures access survives when employees leave
    * Centralizes permission management
    * See [service account setup for Looker Studio](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/10835295?sjid=1005066725261683010-NC#zippy=%2Cin-this-article)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Creating & Editing Reports

### Creating a Report from Scratch

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a new report">
    Go to [lookerstudio.google.com](https://lookerstudio.google.com/), click **+ Create** → **Report**

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.23.37_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=15ac7bb029b988f4612203e9d3d64d05" alt="Create new report" width="1747" height="571" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.23.37_PM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a data source">
    Select an existing data source from **My data sources**, or create a new one via BigQuery.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.26.56_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=36bed59865145d28ac4e64faf83ddf5a" alt="Add data source" width="1750" height="878" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.26.56_PM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Rename your report">
    Click the title in the top left to rename immediately—this prevents "Untitled Report" proliferation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Adding Charts

1. Click **Add a chart** in the toolbar and select a chart type
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.36.49_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=7e6b9c1195eb006e4fc5000b8c8c91b3" alt="Add chart menu" width="377" height="770" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.36.49_PM.png" />
2. Drag the chart to your desired location
3. Configure dimensions and metrics in the **Setup** panel
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.52.19_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=59878117ecf4dbea558841177e8d38b9" alt="Configure chart" width="1756" height="876" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.52.19_PM.png" />

<Tip>
  **Always set the Date Range Dimension** on time-based charts. This connects the chart to your date range control.
</Tip>

For more chart types and styling options, see [Looker Studio chart types](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/13590887?hl=en).

### Adding Data Sources to an Existing Report

1. Go to **Resource** → **Manage added data sources**
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.38.02_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=2fffe5abeefb943c0f34a243c4da5a47" alt="Manage data sources" width="1769" height="419" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.38.02_PM.png" />
2. Click **Add a Data Source**
   <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.38.08_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=91b95523343d15669513ad3d53db9500" alt="Add data source button" width="1762" height="469" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-02-29_at_12.38.08_PM.png" />
3. Select your connector and configure

***

## Filtering Data

### Filter Controls (Interactive)

Filter controls let **report viewers** filter data themselves using dropdowns, input boxes, etc.

* By default, controls filter all components on the page
* You can group charts with filters for more targeted filtering
* [Control types documentation](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6312144?hl=en#types-of-controls)

### Object-Level Filters (Fixed)

Object-level filters are **pre-set by editors** and cannot be changed by viewers. They apply at the chart, page, or report level.

* Use when all users should see the same filtered view
* Viewers cannot see, edit, or remove these filters
* [Create and manage filters](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/7326859?hl=en)

***

## Calculated Fields

Create custom metrics and dimensions without writing SQL in your warehouse.

### Chart-Level Calculated Fields

Quick fields created within a single chart—not reusable elsewhere.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select your chart">
    Click on the chart where you want the custom field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a new field">
    In the Setup panel, click **Add Metric** or **Add Dimension**, then choose **Add Field**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.54.31_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=42a3ef556d6d65467e043100006710d9" alt="Add metric" width="1438" height="769" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.54.31_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your formula">
    Name the field and enter your formula.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.57.43_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=804fbffed6dd5575ebcf2483d6b6e9bd" alt="Enter formula" width="513" height="753" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.57.43_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply">
    Click **Apply** to add the field to your chart.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_12.00.13_PM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=701dadfc0b42a8296695a86276f20f03" alt="Applied field" width="1165" height="684" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_12.00.13_PM.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Data Source-Level Calculated Fields

Reusable fields available in any report using that data source. **Requires data source Edit access.**

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the data source">
    From your report: **Resource** → **Manage added data sources** → **Edit**
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a calculated field">
    Click **Add a field** → **Add calculated field**

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.38.05_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=ee6da19a81d8ea544aa5263627efbedb" alt="Add calculated field" width="1441" height="875" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.38.05_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your formula">
    Name the field, enter your formula, and click **Save**.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.40.09_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=6a4d71210d1a5802011496dac4f55eab" alt="Save calculated field" width="1440" height="870" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.40.09_AM.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Document it">
    Add the formula to the Description field so viewers understand what it calculates.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb/images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.47.18_AM.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UfgN0ADLl6McU6Eb&q=85&s=c07e5b2838271af941eafcb992971f37" alt="Document field" width="1446" height="561" data-path="images/article-imgs/learn-looker-studio/Screenshot_2024-03-04_at_11.47.18_AM.png" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Common Formulas

**Average Order Value (AOV)**

```
SUM(order_net_revenue) / COUNT_DISTINCT(sm_order_key)
```

**New Customer Revenue %**

```
SUM(CASE WHEN order_sequence = '1st_order' THEN order_net_revenue ELSE 0 END) / SUM(order_net_revenue)
```

**Year-over-Year Growth**

```
(SUM(order_net_revenue) - SUM(order_net_revenue_ly)) / SUM(order_net_revenue_ly)
```

[Full list of Looker Studio functions](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/table/6379764)

***

## Sharing Your Dashboard

### Permission Levels

| Level  | View | Interact | Edit | Share | Delete |
| ------ | ---- | -------- | ---- | ----- | ------ |
| Viewer | ✅    | ✅        | ❌    | ❌     | ❌      |
| Editor | ✅    | ✅        | ✅    | ✅     | ❌      |
| Owner  | ✅    | ✅        | ✅    | ✅     | ✅      |

### Sharing a Report

1. Click **Share** (top right)
2. Enter email addresses or Google Group emails
3. Choose permission level

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sourcemedium/ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz/images/article-imgs/how-do-i-invite-users-to-my-dashboard/Untitled.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ui0hKAc0Yk4Nw3Bz&q=85&s=780e3f32a4b1dc4fdbaf03c69a62b833" alt="Share dialog" width="125" height="56" data-path="images/article-imgs/how-do-i-invite-users-to-my-dashboard/Untitled.png" />

### Sharing a Data Source

Data source access is **separate** from report access:

* **Viewer**: Can see field names and descriptions
* **Editor**: Can rename fields, edit calculated fields, change the connection
* **Owner**: Can delete the data source, change ownership

[Learn how to share a data source](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/10403278?hl=en)

<Note>
  Data source access ≠ data credentials. Access controls who can modify the data source configuration; credentials control who can see the underlying data.
</Note>

### Using Google Groups

For teams with 5+ users, manage access via [Google Groups](/onboarding/analytics-tools/google-groups-access-control):

| Group                | Purpose                                 |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `company-sm-admins`  | Full access to reports and data sources |
| `company-sm-editors` | Report editors, data source viewers     |
| `company-sm-viewers` | Report viewers only                     |

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Dashboard shows 'No data'">
    **Check these in order:**

    1. Date range filter — is it set to a period with data?
    2. Other filters — are they excluding all data?
    3. Data source credentials — do they have BigQuery access?
    4. Contact SourceMedium support if issues persist
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Charts are slow to load">
    Large date ranges or complex calculations slow performance. Try:

    * Reducing the date range
    * Using pre-aggregated metrics when available
    * Removing unnecessary charts from the page
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can't enter Edit mode">
    You need **Editor** permission. Contact the dashboard owner or admin.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Changes aren't saving">
    * Ensure you have Editor permission
    * Check your internet connection
    * Try refreshing and re-entering Edit mode
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Filter not affecting all charts">
    In Edit mode:

    1. Click the filter control
    2. Check **Properties** → **Filter applied to**
    3. Ensure relevant charts are selected
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="'You don't have access' on data source">
    * Verify you have data source Viewer or Editor access
    * Check the data credentials match your BigQuery permissions
    * Permission changes can take time to propagate—sign out and back in
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Keyboard Shortcuts

| Action     | Shortcut       |
| ---------- | -------------- |
| Undo       | `Ctrl/Cmd + Z` |
| Redo       | `Ctrl/Cmd + Y` |
| Copy       | `Ctrl/Cmd + C` |
| Paste      | `Ctrl/Cmd + V` |
| Select All | `Ctrl/Cmd + A` |
| Group      | `Ctrl/Cmd + G` |

***

## Additional Resources

**Google Documentation:**

* [Looker Studio Help Center](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/)
* [Calculated Field Functions](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/table/6379764)
* [Chart Types Reference](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/13590887?hl=en)
* [Using the Properties Panel](https://support.google.com/looker-studio/answer/6302996?sjid=17257856173080190020-NC)

**SourceMedium Resources:**

* [Google Groups Access Control](/onboarding/analytics-tools/google-groups-access-control)
* [BigQuery Essentials](/onboarding/analytics-tools/bigquery-essentials)
* [Connect BigQuery to Looker Studio](/onboarding/analytics-tools/connect-bigquery-to-looker-studio)
* [Use SourceMedium Data in Other BI Tools](/onboarding/analytics-tools/connect-to-other-bi-tools)
* [Data Tables Reference](/data-activation/data-tables/sm_transformed_v2/index)