The MySQL add-in for Excel helps you in a similar way by enabling you to select and dump rows and columns of data into Excel without writing SQL.Īlternatively, if you’re handy with SQL and your data is in a MySQL database, you can use a free tool like phpMyAdmin to write the query and then select the option to export the data you pulled as a csv or xml file.īI tools like Tableau and Klipfolio PowerMetrics come with their own tools and wiziwigs to pull and view data from a SQL database. If you’d rather not write SQL, you can use a free tool like Metabase, which allows you to point and click your way to pulling in slices of data via handy drop downs (the SQL query gets written behind the scenes). There are a variety of ways to accomplish these three tasks, and a variety of services and platforms that can help you along the way. Visualize and assemble the metrics and KPIs to create a dashboard.Manipulate and aggregate the data to build metrics and KPIs.Assemble SQL queries to pull in the raw data.There are a variety of ways to create dashboards by pulling in data from a SQL database. What is a SQL dashboard?Ī SQL dashboard is an assembly of metrics, indicators and visualizations that pull in data from a SQL database, which is a relational database that can be managed with SQL (Structured Query Language).
This article will help you create such a dashboard. Preferably one that serves up data from your SQL server in real-time, giving you and your team ready access to the information you need to continually improve business performance-rather than course correcting periodically. That’s why you need a SQL database dashboard. In other words: It will be old by the time you start pulling together your next report! The data that you need to overcome current challenges (and to take advantage of the opportunities that exist now) will probably be written to your database as you deliver your report.
You know the database is full of valuable data, but accessing and manipulating that data to extract useful information is complex and time consuming.Īt best (if you know the database well and are confident writing SQL queries) you can produce a backward-looking SQL report that can be shared with colleagues via email, or at your next meeting.īut that will only help the business identify past problems and opportunities.