Introduction
Creating a parameter on Google Data Studio is a great way to make your reports more interactive and informative. By allowing users to select different criteria, you can provide them with tailored insights to help them make better decisions.
Plus, parameters can filter data, making finding the information you need easier. Google Data Studio Parameters allow you to control how your data is displayed in your reports. You can use them to filter your data, set report colors, and more.
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What are Google Data Studio parameters?
Google data studio parameters are custom variables created by users that allow them to create reports best suited to their needs.
Google data studio allows users to create reports with dimensions and metrics from a data source. But what happens when you need to
You can use Data Studio to create charts, graphs, and other visual representations of your data. One of the most powerful features of Data Studio is its ability to use parameters.
Parameters allow you to change the data displayed in your reports dynamically. This makes it easy to create custom reports that can be customized for specific needs.
How to create a parameter?
Knowing what parameters are, how do you create one inside Google data studio?
First, sign in to your data studio account using your Google account.
To log in to your Google data studio account, simply visit datastudio.google.com.
Click “Blank Report” or “Create” This directs you to a page where you upload your data source or choose a connector.
In this case, we will use our Facebook ads connector. You will have to connect your account on Google data studio to your Facebook Insights.
This is a multi-step process that takes less than 90 seconds.
After connecting and authorizing data studio to use our connector for your reports, you can create parameters that will be used in your reports.
On the top right, click “Add a parameter.” This begins the process of creating a parameter on data studio.
You will be required to name the parameter you’re creating and enter a parameter ID, data type, and parameter values.
For illustration, we will name our parameter “Revenue” since we are working with Facebook ads data source.
The Parameter ID is used for identifying parameters internally by Data Studio. It is not visible to report viewers.
For data type, we are going with “Number (whole)” because we are creating a parameter for a whole number- “Revenue.”
After choosing your data type, you will be required to choose permitted values.
You’re given three options:
- Any value
- List of values
- Range
After filling out, all the requirements, hit the “Save” button at the bottom right to create your new parameter.
How to use parameters in Google Data Studio
There are two ways to use parameters in Google Data Studio. The first is to use them as a replacement for a dimension or metric in your data source. The second is to use them as filters in your report.
Parameters can be used as a replacement for a dimension or metric in your data source. For example, if you have a Google Analytics data source, you can use a parameter to replace the dimension “Page.”
This would allow you to dynamically change which page is being reported based on the parameter’s value.
Parameters can also be used as filters in your report. For example, if you have a parameter containing a list of countries, you can use that parameter as a filter to only show data for one or more countries.
How to configure a Parameter on Google Data Studio
Now that we’ve learned how to create parameters on Google data studio let’s learn how to configure them.
- How to configure a simple parameter in your data schema?
The data source schema defines how a connector should pull data from a data source and send it to a Data Studio report.
Log in to your data studio account to configure a parameter in your data schema.
Click “Create” on the left-hand menu. On the drop-down menu, click “Data source.”
Choose any of Porter metrics connectors to connect your data source.
We’re going to use the Facebook Insights connector. (You can use any of our connectors; TikTok ads, Twitter ads, Instagram Insights, LinkedIn Ads, Google My Business, etc., depending on the type of report you want to create.)
Click on “Facebook Insights” – if you’d like to connect your Facebook Page and follow the command prompts afterward to guide you through the connection.
Allow authorizations between Facebook, Data Studio, and Porter.
For a detailed breakdown of how to connect your Facebook Insights using our connector, read this post – How to setup Facebook Insights on Google Data Studio.
After connecting the Facebook Insight connector to data studio, click “Add a parameter” on the top right corner and configure the parameter by name, parameter values, and data types.
- How to configure parameters within a calculated field in Google Data Studio?
For example, say you want to visualize projected revenue from sales in your report.
First, create a parameter and name its price per unit. Set the Permitted values option to Any value and enter a value for your price.
Then, create a calculated field.
At the top right, click ADD A FIELD. This directs you to the calculated fields.
Name the field.
In the formula, multiply the “Sales” field from your data source by the Forecast multiplier price per unit parameter. Click “Save.”
How to modify parameters in Google Data Studio
Parameters are a great way to make your Google Data Studio reports more flexible and interactive. By modifying parameters, you can change the data displayed in your report without having to go back and edit the report itself. This can be extremely useful when comparing different data sets quickly or allowing your users to filter the data themselves.
Here’s how you can quickly modify your parameters. First, go to resources.
Then click on Manage added data sources. That should get you to an interface that looks like the one below.
Now click on edit on any of the connectors you had picked earlier to create a parameter. On that new interface, search for the parameter using the search field on your GDS screen’s top right side.
You should now see your parameter highlighted in pink like mine below.
Now click on the @ sign beside the parameter name. Once you click on that, the next window you’ll see will look like this.
Now, you can modify or edit the values you used to create your parameter.
- How to show or hide parameters in reports?
To show or hide parameters in reports, on your report dashboard, click “Resource” and click “manage data sources” in the drop-down menu.
Doing so would direct you to your data sources as shown below:
Click “edit” and search any parameter you’ve created. In this case, I’m searching for “revenue per post.”
The parameter is in purple; click the three dots on it. This gives you an option to hide or show your parameters in reports.
- How to copy a component with parameters?
Click copy and paste anywhere within the report dashboard. This allows you to further modify your report without changing your parameter.
- How to fix invalid parameters?
Sometimes, parameter configuration changes in the connector cause charts or tables that use those parameters to break.
On the component’s parameters section, locate the invalid parameter and click fix invalid values to fix it.
- How to override default parameter values?
To override default parameter values on the report dashboard, click “File” at the top right menu and “Report settings” on the drop-down menu.
Edit the settings on the left-hand side. This allows you to override parameter values.
- How to change parameters using the report link in Google Data Studio?
To change Google data studio parameters using the report link, click the report link that was shared to either your mailbox or social media platform. That link brings you back to the Google Data Studio Dashboard or Report you shared.
Now click on “Resources” and “Manage added data sources”
Now click on edit beside any of the connectors you want to work on
That brings you to this interface…
Now search for the parameter you want to override and click on the @ or the three dots beside it to override and make changes to the parameter
If you were looking to edit your URL parameters, you can click on Resources and pick “manage report URL parameters.”
It brings you to the interface below, where you can make changes to the parameters URL you picked.
Check the box on the parameter you want to change to allow it to be modified in the report URL. You can change the name of the parameter by clicking the pencil icon.
Data Studio Parameter Examples for Marketers
Marketers can use many different parameters in Data Studio to customize their reports. Here are some examples:
- Currency conversion
Data studio parameters can be used to express currencies in another denomination.
Assuming we run a Facebook ad agency in the US and want to express the ad spend in the client’s country’s currency (Naira), we simply create a parameter for it.
First, we go to resources, click on manage added data sources, and edit data source which then brings you here…
Now click on ADD A PARAMETER at the top right corner of the screen to create a new parameter.
Once a new parameter interface opens up, we want to create a new parameter to define the exchange rate between Naira and Dollar. In this case, it is currently at 650 naira to a dollar
If you search under Data Sources, with the parameter name, you should be able to find the parameter you created just like mine below
Now use a scorecard chart type to visualize your base currency being dollars and duplicate that so you can have two dollar score cards reflecting the Purchase Revenue just like the image displayed below
Now click on Purchase revenue metric to make changes to the calculated field so it reflects the purchase revenue in Naira.
And click on Create Field
Now Create a new Calculated field and name it Naira Purchase Revenue
Add your formular. In our case, it will be the parameter we created being Naira to Dollar multiplied by Purchase Revenue. This will display the total purchase revenue value in your client’s currency being Naira. Now click Apply and add the Naira Purchase Revenue you just created as a new Metric using the second scorecard data visualization tool as displayed below.
Now you have the Purchase Revenue Value in both currencies displayed side by side. One shows the purchase revenue in the base currency being the dollar and its equivalent in your client’s currency, Naira.
Next, you’ll need to add a control and call the Naira to Dollar Parameter we created earlier so your client can play around and can make possible projections with the dashboard.
Here is how you add a control and leave room for your client to make projections
First click on Add a Control on the menu
Pick Input Box from the Drop Down Menu and Add the control to your dashboard by clicking it in place.
Now click to highlight the input box control container and scroll to the right corner of your screen under the Control field to edit and call in the Naira to Dollar Parameter we created earlier.
As seen in the image below, search for Naira to Dollar and pick the parameter when it shows up.
By default, it shows the exchange rate that we added when creating the default parameter. Now your forecast tool is ready to be used.
- Leads commission for agencies
Parameters allow agencies to set commissions on the number of leads generated.
You can set that for every 200 leads generated; your agency gets a 25% of the total marketing spend. This configuration is entirely based on your preferences. To do this, you’ll need to apply the same parameter formulas as earlier shown.
Schedule a Session with support to have us help you set up your parameters and your new report now.
Conclusion
One of the best features of Data Studio is the ability to create parameters. They can be beneficial when trying to slice and dice data in Data Studio. In this article, we’ve shown you how to create a parameter on Google Data Studio.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of creating a parameter in Google Data Studio?
There are numerous benefits to creating a parameter in Google Data Studio, including the ability to control how data is displayed, make changes to multiple reports at once, and improve the overall efficiency of your reporting. Additionally, parameters can help improve the accuracy of your data by allowing you to specify precisely what you want to see.
How can I use a parameter to filter data in Google Data Studio?
In Google Data Studio, you can use a parameter to filter data by creating a control and assigning the parameter to the control. The parameter can be used in filters, calculated fields, and reference lines.
How many types of parameters are there?
There are no specific types of parameters in google data studio. You can create as many custom parameters as you want.
Do I need to learn a programming language to use data studio?
You don’t need to learn programming languages to use data studio.
What are some other ways I can use parameters in Data Studio?
There are many ways to use parameters in Data Studio. Some common uses include:
– Filtering data by specific criteria
– Modifying how data is displayed
– Determining what data is included in a report.
Parameters are a powerful tool that can help you customize your Data Studio reports to suit your needs better. Experiment with different parameter values to see what works best for you.
