> 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/get-started-with-intelligence-sheets.md).

# Get started with Intelligence sheets

The *Intelligence sheet* provides a no-code, end-to-end reporting experience that brings all your data visualization needs together on a single platform. Use intelligence sheets to build reports, create dashboards, and run ad-hoc analysis directly on top of your semantic models or planning/PowerTable sheets. Intelligence sheets ship with a full visualization library of more than 100+ types of charts, including advanced visualizations like marimekko, boxplot, waterfalls, radar/polar, and more. This article details the steps to get started with your first Intelligence sheet.

### Import data to visualize

Intelligence enables you to transform data from planning sheets, semantic models, and file-based sources such as Excel and Parquet files into interactive reports and dashboards. Create visualizations using charts, tables, matrices, KPI cards, and filters to analyze performance, monitor key metrics, and share insights across your organization.

#### Import data from a semantic model <a href="#create-an-intelligence-sheet" id="create-an-intelligence-sheet"></a>

Import an existing semantic model to create reports based on curated business data. By connecting to a semantic model, you can leverage predefined measures, relationships, and calculations, enabling you to build reports and visualizations without needing to model the data yourself.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can also import a semantic model after creating an intelligence sheet. In the **Data** pan&#x65;**,** select **+Add** and import the semantic model.
{% endhint %}

1. To connect to a semantic model, select **Semantic Model** from the **Get data** sectio&#x6E;**.**

<figure><img src="/files/KPhCE2eL6k5H2Eo2vDXK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the semantic model connection.

<figure><img src="/files/csBytpQMGNtpVMQA6P1h" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Choose the semantic model.

<figure><img src="/files/fouTaPI0SidD7GgaRdyE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. The semantic model is imported into the intelligence sheet.

<figure><img src="/files/ffMbjXD6C2fEYj8LxKuA" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Import data from Excel and CSV files <a href="#import-data-from-excel-and-csv-files" id="import-data-from-excel-and-csv-files"></a>

Import Excel and CSV files to create interactive reports and visualizations from existing business data. Analyze trends, monitor key metrics, and share insights through charts, tables, matrices, and dashboards without requiring a direct connection to a database or semantic model. Business users can create reports and dashboards directly from familiar file formats, reducing dependency on IT teams.

In the landing page, select **Excel/CSV** and upload the file.

<figure><img src="/files/PDSQHhLPykicJREi7DOB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Alternatively, after creating an intelligence sheet, follow these steps.

1. Expand the **Queries** section in the **Data** pane.
2. Select **Add**, then choose the upload format (**Excel** or **CSV**).

<figure><img src="/files/oXkgBW4VFTRYSVnj0vBB" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select the file for upload. For Excel sources, choose the sheet to import. Select **Create**.

<figure><img src="/files/8xQdr5cftCfosMNv6paa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. After the source is added, select the **Close** button at the top-right corner to exit Infobridge. To know more about Infobridge and its applications, see [data integration with bridges](/documentation/plan/infobridge.md).

<figure><img src="/files/7GW9IdRpczJzAGHZ9ZaF" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. The dimensions and measures are imported into the **Queries** section of the **Data** pane. Map them to an intelligence sheet component such as a chart or matrix for visualization and reporting.

### Create an intelligence sheet <a href="#create-an-intelligence-sheet" id="create-an-intelligence-sheet"></a>

Create an intelligence sheet to visualize and analyze your data using a variety of report elements, including charts, KPI cards, tables, matrices, and filters.

1. Select **New Intelligence Sheet** or select the intelligence sheet icon from the landing page.

<figure><img src="/files/l10zBMbuQajSgMnFdYvq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Select the icons on the right-hand side of the canvas to open the **Data** and **Visualizations** panes.

<figure><img src="/files/NmRGGMSRCbQ41Obxjh5t" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select a data presentation format (such as **Gantt**, **Matrix**, **KPI**, or **Chart**) from the **Visualizations** pane.
4. Each type of visualization has specific data wells. Drag and drop measures and dimensions in the data wells to display them on the canvas.

<figure><img src="/files/kH8l7hipSLPdnpwvgK1X" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Use the Intelligence toolbar for canvas-level customizations such as setting backgrounds, changing themes, configuring element interactions, and more.

<figure><img src="/files/L70qN1EAT4oFuADICT5c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Add charts to visualize data <a href="#add-charts" id="add-charts"></a>

Intelligence includes a library of more than 100 visualization types to support a wide range of reporting scenarios. Choose from standard charts as well as advanced visualizations, such as marimekko, box plot, waterfall, radar, and polar charts. You can also create storytelling visuals, including slope graphs, lollipop charts, dumbbell charts, and dot plots.

Some chart types require specific field mappings to render. For example, marimekko charts require measures for both height and width; hierarchical charts such as treemap and sunburst require one or more hierarchical dimensions; and gauge charts require actual and target measures.

1. Select the **Charts 100+** visual to add a chart.
2. Choose the chart type from the **Visualizations** pane based on your requirement.

<figure><img src="/files/Z6HxzfUbhTfywA4xnETv" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* When you know the chart type you want to use, enter its name in the search box. For example, type line, waterfall, boxplot, or mekko to view all available variations of that chart type.

<figure><img src="/files/PpFc31bSU6JNHjSEyErB" alt="" width="239"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Prebuilt IBCS charts reduce design effort while ensuring visual consistency and adherence to IBCS reporting standards. Select **IBCS** to add IBCS charts to your dashboard. Choose a chart type such as waterfall, integrated variance, stacked bar, bullet, line/area, and more.

<figure><img src="/files/PmbeTcfqSsC3nK9ZOv16" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Storytelling charts make complex data more engaging and easier to understand. Select **Special** to plot storytelling charts like range plots, tornado, sankey, ribbon, and slope graphs.

<figure><img src="/files/8mh1JkA7iD3eZ8l6hH57" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Drag and drop dimensions and measures from the **Data** pane to the appropriate data well in the **Visualizations** pane. The chart is plotted on the canvas.
4. Each chart type has a dedicated toolbar for advanced customizations, sorting, ranking, deviation, and more.

<figure><img src="/files/wXjMs5ojTGKtpbjfhBiW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Select the caret icon to expand and collapse the toolbar.

<figure><img src="/files/hSrNnbUGKC8RGXj1dEiG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Highlight metrics with KPI cards <a href="#create-tabular-reports" id="create-tabular-reports"></a>

Add KPI cards to highlight critical metrics and trends in your dashboard. Use cards to quickly monitor performance and track business goals.

1. Select **KPIs** from the **Visualizations** pane.
2. Assign the metric to display to the **Actual(s)** data well.
3. To display the variance between different metrics, assign other measures to the **Comparison** data well.

<figure><img src="/files/9q59r7gA48VJuY9KCeHj" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Assign **Trellis Row** dimensions to split a metric based on specific dimension categories. This example shows the overall cost distribution across different regions.

<figure><img src="/files/YW11bZIplQ8yeVQI9QQd" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Assign a dimension to the **Trellis Column** data well to split a metric based on another set of dimension categories.&#x20;
6. Hover over a card and drag the blue line to resize it.

<figure><img src="/files/YHZpoPSjmc8RNMJO8VPl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

7. Insert inline charts to visualize KPI metrics. Before inserting a chart, assign the axis dimension to the **Category** data well.
8. In the **KPI** ribbon, select **Sparkline** and choose the chart type.

<figure><img src="/files/0ucswqDwyfvLQNEDUx6k" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Apply filters for interactive analysis

Use filters to narrow data and focus on the information that matters most. Intelligence sheets offer a range of filter types to meet your data exploration needs. When you apply a filter, it applies to all the components in your dashboard.

1. To add a dashboard filter, select Filter from the **Visualizations** pane.
2. Assign the filtering dimension to the **Category** data wel&#x6C;**.**
3. Intelligence automatically creates the filter type best suited to the dimensional data. In this example, a date slider is inserted.

<figure><img src="/files/rPRJh3qgXaJrlbCogpN7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Apply filters to refine dashboard results and gain targeted insights. Charts, KPI cards, and tables reflect filter changes.

<figure><img src="/files/T4yJzKeWrqiO0pGUbDvu" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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