In this section, we will explore how to manage and update data sources in Google Data Studio. Proper management of data sources ensures that your reports are accurate and up-to-date, which is crucial for making informed decisions based on the data presented.

1. Data Source Management: Understanding how to manage existing data sources, including renaming, deleting, and modifying them.
2. Updating Data Sources: Learning how to refresh data and handle changes in the data structure.
3. Data Source Permissions: Managing access and permissions for different users.

Renaming a data source can help you keep your workspace organized and make it easier to identify the data source in your reports.

1. Navigate to the Data Sources Page:

   • Go to the Google Data Studio home page.
   • Click on the "Data Sources" tab.

2. Select the Data Source:

   • Find the data source you want to rename.
   • Click on the data source name to open its settings.

3. Rename the Data Source:

   • Click on the pencil icon next to the data source name.
   • Enter the new name and click "Save".

Deleting a data source removes it from your Google Data Studio account. Be cautious, as this action cannot be undone.

1. Navigate to the Data Sources Page:

   • Go to the Google Data Studio home page.
   • Click on the "Data Sources" tab.

2. Select the Data Source:

   • Find the data source you want to delete.
   • Click on the three-dot menu next to the data source name.

3. Delete the Data Source:

   • Select "Remove" from the dropdown menu.
   • Confirm the deletion in the popup dialog.

Modifying a data source involves changing its configuration, such as adding or removing fields, or changing field types.

1. Navigate to the Data Sources Page:

   • Go to the Google Data Studio home page.
   • Click on the "Data Sources" tab.

2. Select the Data Source:

   • Find the data source you want to modify.
   • Click on the data source name to open its settings.

3. Modify the Data Source:

   • Use the interface to add, remove, or modify fields.
   • Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Refreshing data ensures that your reports reflect the most current information available from your data sources.

1. Automatic Refresh:

   • Google Data Studio automatically refreshes data from most data sources every 15 minutes.
   • For some data sources, you can set a custom refresh interval.

2. Manual Refresh:

   • Open the report that uses the data source.
   • Click on the refresh icon in the toolbar to manually refresh the data.

When the structure of your data source changes (e.g., new columns are added, or existing columns are removed), you need to update the data source configuration in Google Data Studio.

1. Detect Changes:

   • Google Data Studio will notify you if it detects changes in the data structure.
   • You can also manually check for changes by opening the data source settings.

2. Update Configuration:

   • Open the data source settings.
   • Review the changes and update the configuration accordingly.
   • Click "Save" to apply the changes.

Controlling who can view or edit your data sources is essential for maintaining data security and integrity.

1. Navigate to the Data Sources Page:

   • Go to the Google Data Studio home page.
   • Click on the "Data Sources" tab.

2. Select the Data Source:

   • Find the data source you want to manage permissions for.
   • Click on the three-dot menu next to the data source name.

3. Manage Permissions:

   • Select "Manage access" from the dropdown menu.
   • Add or remove users and set their permissions (view or edit).
   • Click "Save" to apply the changes.

1. Objective: Refresh the data and handle changes in the data structure for an existing data source.
2. Steps:
   • Open a report that uses the data source.
   • Manually refresh the data.
   • Simulate a change in the data structure by adding a new column to the data source (e.g., in a Google Sheet).
   • Open the data source settings in Google Data Studio and update the configuration to include the new column.
   • Save the changes and verify that the new column appears in the report.

1. Manually Refresh Data:

   • Open the report.
   • Click the refresh icon in the toolbar.

2. Simulate Data Structure Change:

   • Open the Google Sheet linked to the data source.
   • Add a new column (e.g., "New Metric").

3. Update Data Source Configuration:

   • Go to the Google Data Studio home page.
   • Click on the "Data Sources" tab.
   • Select the data source.
   • Add the new column in the data source settings.
   • Click "Save".

4. Verify Changes:

   • Open the report.
   • Check that the new column "New Metric" is available for use in charts and tables.

In this section, we covered the essential aspects of managing and updating data sources in Google Data Studio. You learned how to rename, delete, and modify data sources, refresh data, handle changes in data structure, and manage data source permissions. Proper management of data sources ensures that your reports are accurate and up-to-date, which is crucial for making informed decisions based on the data presented.