Learn more about performancepoint dashboard designer

You can use the performancepoint dashboard designer to create, edit, and save various dashboard projects. These projects can be saved in the specified Sharepoint list and document library, and these projects can be used to build dashboards. You can then deploy the dashboard to SharePoint Server 2010.

A dashboard provides you with the information you need to monitor and analyze performance. The information provided in this article helps you familiarize yourself with the dashboard designer.

What do you want to do?

• How do I install or open the dashboard designer?
• What types of dashboard projects can be created using the dashboard designer?
• Where is my dashboard project stored?
• How do I navigate to the dashboard designer?

How do I install or open the dashboard designer?

If you have configured performancepoint services in Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 for your organization and you have the required permissions, you can install or start the dashboard designer.

1. Use Internet Explorer to find"Business Intelligence Center". The Business Intelligence Center is a Sharepoint site that acts as a portal for performancepoint services and other applications. The business intelligence center may be similar to the following:

In the Business Intelligence Center, you can find information about SharePoint business intelligence, including Excel services, status indicators, and performancepoint services. You can also find a link that can be used to open a help or find an application (such as a dashboard designer.

PromptIf you cannot find the Business Intelligence Center, contact the SharePoint administrator.

1. In"Business Intelligence Center", Click a part, such"Monitor key performance","Create and share reports"Or"Create a dashboard". Other information about each region is displayed in the middle pane, as shown in:

Click"Getting started with performancepoint Services".

1. In this case, the performancepoint website template is opened, which is similar:

In the performancepoint website template, click"Run the dashboard designer".

1. If you have the required permissions in performancepoint services, you can install and open the dashboard designer. The dashboard designer is similar:

After opening the dashboard designer at least once, you can use other methods to open the dashboard designer, for example:

• Create a shortcut to a Sharepoint website that contains a dashboard project on the desktop. Double-click the desktop shortcut to open the dashboard designer. To learn how to create a desktop shortcut, see how to create a desktop shortcut.
• Click"Start"And then click"All Programs". Find"SharePoint"And then click"Performancepoint dashboard designer".

Key PointsYou must connect to SharePoint Server 2010 to use the dashboard designer.

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What types of dashboard projects can be created using the dashboard designer?

You can use the dashboard designer to create multiple performancepoint projects, such as data sources, dashboards, scorecards, key performance indicators (KPIs), indicators, filters, and reports.

The following table summarizes these projects:

Project
Description

Data Source
A data source is a connection to a database that saves the score cards, reports, and filters that you have created using the dashboard designer.

Dashboard

A dashboard is a container used to display scorecards and reports. When you combine a dashboard, add the report, scorecard, and filter to the area, that is, each part of the dashboard page.

A single dashboard can contain multiple pages. You can use the same or different page layout templates to design various pages. You can also customize the size of a dashboard area. Each area can contain one or more projects, such as reports, score cards, and filters.

Scorecard
A scorecard is a dashboard project that displays the performance of one or more metrics. They compare the actual results with the specified target, and display the results using graphical tags. A scorecard is similar to a table and usually contains"Target"And"Actual"Value column and several KPIs.

KPI
KPIs are indicators used in the scorecard. KPIs usually include the target value and actual value, and graphical indicators used to show whether the performance has reached the target.

Indicator

An indicator is a graphical symbol used in a KPI to show whether the performance has reached the target.

Commonly used indicators are Traffic Signal Indicator indicators. They use green circles to indicate performance reaching the target, yellow triangles to indicate performance approaching the target, and red diamond to indicate poor performance.

Filter

A filter is a single dashboard project that enables dashboard users to focus on specific information.

For example, you can create a "geographical" filter and connect it to a report or scorecard. This allows you to view the information of a specific geographic region.

Reports

A report is a dashboard project that displays information in charts or tables.

You can use the dashboard designer to create multiple reports. For example, a bar chart, line chart, pie chart, and a table called a grid. In addition, you can directly create some reports in the dashboard designer and create Web parts for displaying existing reports hosted on other servers.

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Where is my dashboard project stored?

All performancepoint dashboard projects are saved in the specified Sharepoint list and document library. These lists and document libraries are set when performancepoint services is configured. Displays the list of SharePoint and document libraries that are commonly seen in performancepoint services:

The following table describes the Sharepoint list and libraries that store the dashboard content and other files.

Project
Description

DataConnection

Data sources for KPIs, scorecards, reports, and filters are stored in the data connection document library, which contains data sources and other information, such as servers and security settings.

This document library is usually calledDataConnectionBut the SharePoint administrator can change its name When configuring performancepoint services.

Various dashboard elements, including:

• Indicator
• KPI
• Scorecard
• Reports
• Filter
• Dashboard page

The scorecard, report, filter, dashboard page, and other dashboard items are saved in the performancepoint content list.

NoteThe dashboard page is stored here. However, active dashboards that have been deployed to the SharePoint site are stored in different document libraries.

This list is usually calledPerformancepointContentBut the SharePoint administrator can change its name When configuring performancepoint services.

Dashboard

After the dashboard is deployed, it is saved in the document library of the dashboard, which only contains the dashboard. All dashboard projects are not stored here.

This list is usually calledDashboardBut the SharePoint administrator can change its name When configuring performancepoint services.

Because dashboard projects are saved directly in Sharepoint Server 2010, you and other dashboard authors can reuse these projects to reduce the workload. For example, you can create an analysis chart and use the report in multiple dashboards.

In addition, you can assign SharePoint permissions to each dashboard element to control who can view or use your dashboard.

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How do I navigate to the dashboard designer?

Dashboard designer user interface includes functional area,"Workspace Browser"Pane, middle pane, and used to create, view, and edit a dashboard item"Details"Pane. The workspace also includes the Microsoft Office button menu, which can be used to save workspace files, deploy dashboards, and change server connections.

Functional Area

The functional area includes the Microsoft Office backstage button and three tabs:"Homepage"Tab,"Edit"Tab and"Create"Tab.

Microsoft Office backstage button

Click"Office button"You can access the dashboard designer settings and other save options. The backstage menu is similar.

Click"Designer options"Accessible"Option"Dialog box."Option"The dialog box contains three tabs:"Personalization","Server"And"Resource".

• Use"Personalization"Tab to specify the default location of the workspace file and whether to use the Wizard to create a scorecard."Personalization"Tabs are similar:

• Use"Server"Tab to view or change the servers connected to when using the dashboard designer."Server"Tab.

• Use"Resource"Tab to view the version of the dashboard designer."Resource"Tab.

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Home Page tab in the functional area

"Homepage"Tabs (as shown below) include toolbar commands that can be used to view and open a dashboard project.

For example"Workspace"Section, click"Refresh"Refresh the list of dashboard projects that have been published to SharePoint Server 2010.

Edit tab in the functional area

"Edit"Tabs include toolbar commands that can be used to change the dashboard projects created by you or other dashboard authors.

"Edit"Tabs are dynamic. It only displays toolbar commands related to the specific dashboard project you want to edit. That is to say,"Edit"The tab changes based on the dashboard project type opened in the middle pane of the workspace.

For example, if KPI is enabled"Edit"Tab displays the toolbar commands that can be used to change the numeric format (for example, to change the number of decimal places displayed in the numeric value. KPI"Edit"The tabs are as follows.

If the scorecard is enabled"Edit"The tab displays the various toolbar commands that can be used, including"Update". Use"Update"Command to refresh the information displayed after the score card is changed. Scorecard"Edit"The tabs are as follows.

If an analysis table is opened for editing"Edit"The tab displays a variety of toolbar commands that can be used to change fonts, numbers, report views, and other settings. Analysis Report"Edit"The tabs are as follows.

In addition, if the dashboard is opened for editing"Edit"The tab displays toolbar commands dedicated to handling items in the dashboard area or area. Dashboard"Edit"The tabs are as follows.

For some dashboard items (such as filters ),"Edit"Tab does not have toolbar commands. For these projects, use"Editor"And"Attribute"Tab.

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Create tab in the functional area

"Create"The tab contains the toolbar commands used to create a dashboard project."Create"Tab.

Each toolbar command opens a wizard that provides guidance for you to create a project. For example, click"Dashboard"The "select dashboard page template" dialog box is displayed. Select a page layout template for the dashboard homepage and then combine the dashboard.

"Workspace Browser" pane

"Workspace Browser"The pane is located on the left of the screen in the dashboard designer. Use"Workspace Browser"You can view, open, and save a dashboard project in the pane. You can also use"Workspace Browser"To deploy a dashboard. Highlighted in"Workspace Browser":

"Workspace Browser"There are two types of dashboard projects:"Performancepoint content"And"Data Connection".

• Select"Performancepoint content"You can create, view, or open indicators, KPIs, scorecards, reports, filters, and dashboards.
• Select"Data Connection"You can create, view, or open a data source.

"Workspace Browser"You can use the right-click function to execute a large number of tasks. For example, to save a project after creating a project, go"Workspace Browser"Right-click the project, and then click"Save".

Similarly, to deploy a dashboard, go"Workspace Browser"Right-click the dashboard, and then click"Deploy to SharePoint".

Middle pane of the Workspace

You can use the middle pane to view, create, and change a dashboard project. The middle pane is"Workspace Browser"The position of the center focus changes. In, the middle pane is highlighted:

For example"Workspace Browser"In"Performancepoint content"Or"Data Connection"The middle pane displays"SharePoint"And"Workspace"Tab. In addition"Workspace Browser"Two, three, or four tabs are displayed in the middle pane. These tabs vary depending on the type of the dashboard project being processed.

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SharePoint and workspace tabs

In"Workspace Browser"Select a project to use"SharePoint"And"Workspace"Tab. You can use these tabs to view the list of dashboard projects created by you and other dashboard authors.

Tab
Description

"SharePoint"Tab
"SharePoint"The tab displays a list of dashboard projects that you and other dashboard authors save to SharePoint Server 2010. According to"Workspace Browser"Select "performancepoint content" or "Data Connection". You will see all data sources or all other types of dashboard projects that can be displayed in the middle pane.

"Workspace"Tab
"Workspace"Tab displays the set of dashboard projects that have been saved to SharePoint Server 2010. Specifically,"Workspace"The tab displays the dashboard project that has been created or opened for editing.

When you open the dashboard designer for the first time, you are processing untitled, unsaved workspace files. As you create and open a dashboard project, these projects appear in"SharePoint"Tab and"Workspace"Tab.

When saving the workspace file"Workspace"Dashboard project list on the tab. Used in the functional area"Start"Tab"Workspace"Some toolbar commands are provided to change the project contained in the workspace file.

Key PointsThe dashboard project is always saved directly to SharePoint Server 2010, instead of to the computer. However, when you save the workspace file (this operation is optional), the dashboard project is saved to the computer.

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Editor, attribute, design, query, time, and view tabs

NoteUse"Editor","Attribute","Design","Query","Time"And"View"Tab to configure or change each dashboard project. In"Workspace Browser"When you select a project or create a dashboard project, these tabs are displayed. For a specific dashboard project, all tabs listed below are not available at the same time. Only tabs for this project are displayed in the middle pane.

"Properties" tab

"Attribute"The tab applies to all types of dashboard projects. Use"Attribute"You can specify the project name, description, owner (called "owner"), and the display folder of the project in its Sharepoint list or document library. Highlighted in"Attribute"Tab:

NoteIn the dashboard designer, you can create and use a display folder for a dashboard project. In the Sharepoint list and document library that contains the dashboard project, these display folders are"Show Folders"Column. Use this"Show Folders"You can filter and combine dashboard projects by column.

Editor Tab

"Editor"The tab applies to most types of dashboard projects. These projects include:

• Dashboard
• Scorecard
• KPI
• Filter
• Indicator
• Report ("Design"Tab analysis charts and tables)

Use"Editor"Tab to add or modify data used in a dashboard project. In addition, you can use"Editor"Tab to preview some types of dashboard projects, such as score cards and reports. Highlight"Editor"Tab:

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Design Tab

"Design"The tab is applicable to analysis charts and tables. Use"Design"Tab to add or change the analysis services data used in the analysis chart or table. You can also use"Design"Tab preview report. Highlighted in"Design"Tab:

"Query" tab

"Query"The tab is applicable to analysis charts and tables. Use"Query"You can view, write, or modify multi-dimensional expressions (MDX) queries used to display information in an analysis report. Highlighted in"Query"Tab:

Key PointsWhen you use a custom query to create an analysis chart or table, the report is not interactive. That is to say, a dashboard user cannot browse data by drilling up or down to view details of a report at a higher or lower level.

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"Time" tab

"Time"The tab applies to data sources. Use"Time"You can configure the data source to use time intelligence by specifying the time period level (such as year, month, or day. Highlighted in"Time"Tab:

View Tab

"View"The tab applies to some types of data sources, such as table-based data sources. Use"View"Tab to preview data or specify column definitions. Highlighted in"View"Tab:

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Details pane

"Details"The pane is on the screen side of the dashboard designer."Details"The pane is only visible when you create, view, or modify a specific dashboard project. That is, only"Workspace Browser"When a specific dashboard project is selected,"Details"Pane. Highlighted in"Details"Pane:

Use"Details"You can add or modify the content displayed in a dashboard project. In"Details"Projects in the pane vary depending on the dashboard project being processed.

For example, when you open an analysis chart or table,"Details"The pane lists items such as dimensions, measurement units, and name sets. These items appear in the SQL Server Analysis Services Multidimensional Dataset used by the report.

When you open a scorecard,"Details"The pane lists KPIs, metrics, aggregates, dimensions, and other items related to the score card.