Google Data Studio happens to be one of the best online resources for creating visually-appealing yet content-rich graphics for reports, presentations and more. However, most of us have just scratched the surface when it comes to exploring interesting ways of using Data Studio. The platform offers some very advanced features and connectors for you to put together better outcomes, not commonly known to all.

This is why we have compiled a few interesting tips in the form of advanced features for creating the best Google Data Studio reports. While the list is long, including community visualizations, connectors, metric sliders, reference lines and more, we have enlisted a select few.

Adding Blended Data Fields

While importing data from multiple campaigns sounds cool, it would be futile if you could not compare and contrast them for analysis and inferences. Google Data Studio has an interesting feature that offers to do just this – Blended Data Fields.

Using this feature, you can conveniently combine data from up to four different sources, provided they have a shared data point and at least one dimension in common, known as the “join key”. This enables you to create a composite report portraying a complete picture of your objectives, progress, analysis, trends and so on, based on the theme of your report. The only thing to keep in mind is to start with the primary data source and continue adding secondary ones later.

Blending data can also enable marketers to compare performances of different subdomains, determine the efficiency of landing pages, study email marketing and website performance and so on.

Adding Date Range Filters

On the top-right position in the main toolbar, you can select the Date Range Filter for a set of interesting functions. Once you select the icon, drag out a shape on your report wherever you wish to insert the data filter. This will automatically add the filter to all the charts, tables and scorecards on your page.

Alternatively, you can choose to restrict the data filter to a specific chart or group chart elements together and apply the filter to them.

The Date Range filter allows marketers to keep track of specific data to map the performance of their campaign over a certain period. The filter will work only with those data sources that have a date dimension.

Creating Advanced Dimensions using Formulas

Bearing a lot of similarity with Excel, Data Studio can be used to add advanced reporting elements such as calculated fields. These fields can be both dimensions and metrics, with different formulas for different purposes. Using Calculated Fields certainly makes the task of compiling and analyzing data much easier.

To create a calculated data field, you must start by editing your data source and adding a new field. Next, enter the formula that you wish to enter for this field and apply it to a row of data within a chart. The formulas within the calculated field use either Functions or Arguments as syntaxes. While Functions help generate mathematical equations, logical comparisons, text handling and more, Arguments instruct functions to act upon a certain command.

Using Themes for Reports

If you are working on multiple reports for different stakeholders, it is better to have different styles for them as well. You can do this as well on Google Data Studio in a few simple steps.

The default themes of Simple and Simple Dark can be tweaked into a customized one, offering options to change the chart palette, colors and so on. You can also edit the borders and backgrounds to suit client needs or your brand identity.

Embedding Reports

With Google Data Studio, you can also add additional data to the existing template, without having to build the report all over.

You can embed Google Docs, Google Sheets, YouTube Videos, web pages and more into your report using the URL Embed feature. This not just makes the report much more interactive but also more personalized.

Final Words

There are several interesting and unique features that Google Data Studio provides for users to make the most out of. While readymade templates are a great help, you can always personalize reports to the extent you want using these features and tricks.