Introduction

Google Data Studio is a free and powerful tool for creating customizable, interactive, and visually appealing reports and dashboards. It allows users to connect to multiple data sources, perform in-depth analysis, and visualize data in real-time. As part of the Google Marketing Platform, Data Studio is increasingly becoming an essential tool for business intelligence (BI) professionals, marketers, and analysts to make data-driven decisions. With its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities with Google Analytics, Google Ads, BigQuery, and more, Google Data Studio helps organizations turn raw data into insightful, shareable reports.

This 5-day Using Google Data Studio for BI Training Course will provide participants with the knowledge and hands-on experience to effectively use Google Data Studio to create powerful reports, dashboards, and data visualizations for business intelligence purposes. The course covers everything from basic report creation to advanced features like custom data sources, filters, and interactivity, ensuring participants can fully leverage the platform’s capabilities.

Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the interface and components of Google Data Studio.
• Create dynamic and interactive reports and dashboards.
• Connect Google Data Studio to a variety of data sources, including Google Analytics, Google Ads, BigQuery, and other third-party platforms.
• Use advanced data visualization techniques, including charts, graphs, tables, and maps.
• Implement filters, controls, and interactive elements to make reports more user-friendly.
• Customize reports with themes, branding, and dynamic elements for a personalized look.
• Share and collaborate on reports with stakeholders and colleagues in real-time.
• Implement data blending to combine multiple data sources for deeper insights.
• Optimize reports for performance, ensuring fast load times even with large datasets.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Business Intelligence Developers and Data Analysts who want to learn how to create interactive and insightful reports using Google Data Studio.
• Marketing Analysts and Digital Marketers who need to visualize and report on campaign performance from platforms like Google Analytics and Google Ads.
• IT professionals responsible for integrating Google Data Studio with other data sources and ensuring data accessibility.
• Business Managers and Executives who want to better understand how to use Google Data Studio for data reporting and decision-making.
• Consultants and Agencies seeking to provide data-driven reports and dashboards for clients.

Day 1: Introduction to Google Data Studio and Basic Report Creation

• Overview of Google Data Studio

  • Introduction to Google Data Studio’s interface and components.
  • Understanding how Data Studio integrates with Google’s ecosystem (Google Analytics, Google Ads, etc.).
  • Navigating the Google Data Studio dashboard: home page, reports, and templates.
  • Setting up your Google Data Studio account and permissions.

• Getting Started with Reports

  • Creating a new report: selecting a blank report or template.
  • Adding and connecting data sources (Google Analytics, Google Sheets, Google Ads, etc.).
  • Exploring the Data Studio report interface: adding text, images, and shapes.
  • Working with default charts: tables, bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts.

• Customizing Report Layouts

  • Organizing report components: resizing, positioning, and layering elements.
  • Customizing themes: adjusting colors, fonts, and logos.
  • Applying page-level settings for uniformity across reports.
  • Using background images and design elements to enhance reports.

• Hands-on Lab:

  • Creating a basic report using a Google Data Studio template.
  • Connecting to Google Analytics as a data source and generating basic charts.
  • Customizing the report layout with your brand’s theme and colors.

Day 2: Data Sources, Blending, and Visualization Techniques

• Working with Data Sources

  • Introduction to connecting data sources: Google Sheets, Google Analytics, Google Ads, BigQuery, and third-party connectors.
  • Setting up Google Data Studio connectors for external data sources.
  • Understanding data source management: adding, removing, and editing data sources.
  • Field selection and configuration: defining dimensions, metrics, and calculated fields.

• Data Blending and Combining Multiple Data Sources

  • Introduction to data blending: combining data from multiple sources into a single report.
  • Creating a blended data source for combining metrics from different platforms.
  • Understanding the concept of join keys and how to use them for blending.
  • Best practices for data blending to ensure accurate analysis.

• Advanced Data Visualization Techniques

  • Using advanced chart types: scatter plots, time series, geo maps, bullet charts, and gauge charts.
  • Creating dynamic reports with date range controls and dropdown filters.
  • Customizing chart properties: adding legends, tooltips, and annotations for clarity.
  • Creating trend analysis and comparison visualizations.

• Hands-on Lab:

  • Connecting and blending data from Google Analytics and Google Ads.
  • Creating advanced visualizations like geo maps and scatter plots.
  • Implementing dynamic date range controls for interactive reporting.

Day 3: Interactive Elements, Filters, and Customization

• Interactive Reporting with Filters and Controls

  • Adding filter controls: single-select, multi-select, and range filters.
  • Using input controls: drop-down menus, sliders, and date pickers to control data.
  • Setting up report-wide controls to filter data across multiple charts.
  • Applying dynamic filters based on user input to create interactive dashboards.

• Customizing Report Elements

  • Personalizing data visualizations with custom formatting and styles.
  • Implementing dynamic text and conditional formatting based on data values.
  • Adding hyperlinks and clickable actions for better user interactivity.
  • Using scorecards and KPIs to highlight key metrics.

• Embedding and Linking Reports

  • Embedding Google Data Studio reports into websites and blogs.
  • Creating interactive dashboards that can be shared with external users.
  • Using links to navigate between multiple pages within a report.

• Hands-on Lab:

  • Adding filter controls to allow users to explore data dynamically.
  • Personalizing data visualizations using custom formatting.
  • Embedding a Google Data Studio report into a website for external sharing.

Day 4: Collaboration, Sharing, and Report Management

• Collaboration in Google Data Studio

  • Sharing reports with stakeholders using real-time collaboration.
  • Managing access permissions: view, edit, and comment.
  • Using commenting features for collaboration and feedback.
  • Version control: managing revisions and report history.

• Scheduling and Automating Reports

  • Scheduling automatic email delivery for reports on a regular basis.
  • Creating and managing scheduled reports and recurring distributions.
  • Sending reports in multiple formats: PDF, CSV, Excel, etc.
  • Setting up email notifications for report delivery.

• Report Management and Best Practices

  • Organizing reports and dashboards in folders for easy access.
  • Best practices for report design: clarity, simplicity, and audience focus.
  • Optimizing report performance for faster load times.
  • Ensuring data security and privacy when sharing reports.

• Hands-on Lab:

  • Collaborating on a Google Data Studio report with team members.
  • Scheduling and automating email delivery of the report.
  • Organizing reports into folders and applying best practices for report design.

Day 5: Advanced Features and Final Project

• Advanced Features and Customization

  • Introduction to Google Data Studio API for automation and customization.
  • Using custom charts and third-party integrations for unique reporting needs.
  • Leveraging advanced connectors like BigQuery, SQL databases, and CRM systems.
  • Implementing custom calculations using calculated fields and regular expressions.

• Final Project: Building a Comprehensive BI Dashboard

  • Creating a full-scale BI dashboard that integrates data from multiple sources.
  • Incorporating advanced visualizations, filters, and interactivity.
  • Applying best practices in dashboard design, user experience, and data presentation.
  • Delivering the project and receiving feedback from instructors.

• Course Wrap-up and Q&A

  • Review of key concepts covered during the course.
  • Addressing any remaining questions and challenges.
  • Providing additional resources for continued learning with Google Data Studio.