> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/documentation/plan/intelligence-sheets/how-tos/build-a-dashboard.md). # Build a dashboard Build interactive dashboards directly on top of your semantic models using over 100 chart types, tables, matrices, KPI cards, and filters. The intelligence sheet brings extensive customization options to suit your reporting needs. In this article, you learn how to build a sample dashboard using the different components in an intelligence sheet. ### Prerequsites Before you start designing a dashboard, ensure that you have created an intelligence sheet and imported the data required. ### Create a dashboard Combine charts, KPI cards, tables, matrices, and filters to create dashboards tailored to your business requirements. 1. Add a line chart to project the revenue, profit, and cost over 5 years. Select **Charts 100+** and select **Line**. Assign the axis dimensions and measures. Select the focus icon to customize the chart.
2. In the **Line** ribbon, go to **Settings** > **Canvas**. Set the **Line type** to **Spline**. Customize the line and marker in the **Category format** section. Select **Back to Sheet** to return to the dashboard.
3. In the **Visualizations** tab, search for *Marimekko* and select **Vertical stacked marimekko** to compare revenue and margin proportions across product categories. 4. Assign the height and width measures, axis, and stacked dimensions to plot the marimekko. 5. Select a stack to use the on-object interaction menu. Apply basic customizations to the series color, font, data labels, and borders directly in the canvas without switching to focus mode.
6. Plot an integrated variance chart to compare the revenue and prior year revenue over 5 years. Select **Integrated variance column** in the **Visualizations** pane and configure the measures and dimensions. The chart automatically shows the variance between the current and prior year revenue. 7. Select the x-axis title and choose the **Hide** option from the menu.
6. Select the **Filter** icon. Select the **Year** section to expand it and select the past 5 years in the **Basic** tab.
7. Add matrices to display detailed data in rows and columns and to compare and analyze individual records. In the **Visualizations** pane, select **Matrix** and assign dimensions and measures. {% hint style="info" %} Assign actuals to the **Values (AC)** data well and prior year (PY), plan (PL), and forecast (FC) measures to the respective data wells to automatically calculate the variances. {% endhint %}
8\. Select the **Focus** icon to customize the table.
9. Intelligence sheets automatically calculate variances based on the assigned measures. To display the variance columns, go to the **Matrix** tab, select **Show Columns**, and choose the required variance columns.
10. In the **Data** ribbon, go to **Insert Column** > **Formula**. Create a formula column to calculate the *implied price*.
11. Select a header, row dimension, or cell and go to the **Format** ribbon to customize the visual design of the table. Select **Back to Sheet** to return to the dashboard.
12. Select **KPIs** in the **Visualization** pane. To show a key metric in a KPI card, assign the measure to the **Actual(s)** field. Assign plan, previous year actuals, and forecast measures to the comparison data wells. The intelligence sheet automatically calculates and shows the corresponding variances in red and green.
13. Select a card, hover over it, and then select the **Edit** icon to customize the KPI - you can change the font style, add formulas, and insert charts.
14. Select the card, select **More options(...)** and select **Duplicate** to create a copy of the card. Change the actuals and comparison assignments to a different metric. Repeat this process to create cards with uniform formatting for each metric.
15. Add text summaries to explain trends, results, and business outcomes displayed in the dashboard. In the **Intelligence** ribbon, go to **Elements** > **Text** to insert a textbox. Select the edit icon to format your text. Alternatively, select the text and use the floating toolbar.
15. Select an element and use the drag handle to reposition it on the dashboard.
16. Select an element and go to the **Visual** tab in the corresponding ribbon to apply formatting such as borders and shadows.
17. In the **Intelligence** ribbon, select **Elements**, then insert shapes and text boxes to create a custom dashboard header.
18. Add comments to dashboards to provide context directly within the data. Select a cell, row, or column in a table or matrix, or select a data point in a chart. Select **Comment** to add a comment, then use the rich text editor to format the content. Assign comments to other users to collaborate on the dashboard.
The final dashboard is shown:
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