In this section, we will explore how to export reports from Google Data Studio and schedule them for regular updates. Exporting and scheduling are essential features that allow you to share your insights with stakeholders and ensure they receive up-to-date information without manual intervention.
Exporting Reports
Exporting to PDF
Exporting your reports to PDF is a straightforward way to share static versions of your reports. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open the Report: Navigate to the report you want to export.
- Export Option: Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the report.
- Select Export to PDF: Choose the "Export to PDF" option from the dropdown menu.
- Configure Settings: Adjust the settings such as page layout, orientation, and which pages to include.
- Export: Click the "EXPORT" button to generate the PDF.
Exporting to Google Sheets
Exporting data to Google Sheets can be useful for further analysis or sharing raw data:
- Open the Report: Navigate to the report you want to export.
- Select Data Source: Go to the data source you want to export.
- Export Data: Click on the three-dot menu next to the data source and select "Export to Google Sheets."
- Access the Sheet: The data will be exported to a new Google Sheet, which you can access and share.
Exporting to CSV
Exporting data to CSV is another option for sharing raw data:
- Open the Report: Navigate to the report you want to export.
- Select Data Source: Go to the data source you want to export.
- Export Data: Click on the three-dot menu next to the data source and select "Export to CSV."
- Download CSV: The data will be downloaded as a CSV file, which you can share or import into other tools.
Scheduling Reports
Scheduling reports ensures that stakeholders receive regular updates without manual intervention. Here’s how to set it up:
Setting Up Scheduled Emails
- Open the Report: Navigate to the report you want to schedule.
- Schedule Email Delivery: Click on the "Share" button and select "Schedule email delivery."
- Configure Schedule: Fill in the details such as recipients, subject, message, and frequency (daily, weekly, monthly).
- Advanced Options: You can also configure advanced options like the time of day and specific days of the week.
- Save: Click "SAVE" to schedule the report.
Managing Scheduled Emails
To manage your scheduled emails:
- Open the Report: Navigate to the report with scheduled emails.
- Manage Schedule: Click on the "Share" button and select "Manage scheduled emails."
- Edit or Delete: You can edit the schedule or delete it if it’s no longer needed.
Practical Exercise
Exercise: Exporting and Scheduling a Report
Task: Export a report to PDF and schedule it to be sent via email every Monday at 9 AM.
-
Export to PDF:
- Open your report.
- Click on the three-dot menu and select "Export to PDF."
- Configure the settings and export the report.
-
Schedule Email Delivery:
- Click on the "Share" button and select "Schedule email delivery."
- Add your email address as the recipient.
- Set the frequency to "Weekly" and choose "Monday."
- Set the time to "9:00 AM."
- Save the schedule.
Solution:
- Ensure the PDF export includes all necessary pages and is properly formatted.
- Verify the email schedule by checking the "Manage scheduled emails" section.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect Email Addresses: Double-check the email addresses to avoid sending reports to the wrong recipients.
- Overlooking Time Zones: Ensure the scheduled time aligns with the recipients' time zones.
- Ignoring File Size: Large reports may result in large PDF files, which can be problematic for email delivery.
Tips
- Use Descriptive Subjects: Make the email subject descriptive to help recipients understand the content.
- Test the Schedule: Schedule a test email to yourself to ensure everything works as expected.
- Regularly Review Schedules: Periodically review and update your schedules to ensure they remain relevant.
Conclusion
In this section, we covered how to export reports to PDF, Google Sheets, and CSV, as well as how to schedule reports for regular email delivery. These features are crucial for sharing insights and ensuring stakeholders receive timely updates. By mastering these skills, you can enhance the accessibility and impact of your reports.
Google Data Studio Course
Module 1: Introduction to Google Data Studio
Module 2: Connecting and managing data sources
- Types of compatible data sources
- How to connect a data source
- Management and updating of data sources