How To Create A Dashboard In Databricks

Creating a Dashboard in Databricks

To create a dashboard in Databricks, follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Create a Dashboard – Log into your Databricks workspace and click on New in the sidebar. Select Dashboard from the options. Your new dashboard will be automatically named with its creation timestamp and stored in your `/Workspace/Users/` directory.
2. Step 2: Define Datasets – Navigate to the Data tab to define the underlying datasets for your dashboard. You can write SQL queries or select tables/views from Unity Catalog if available. For example, you can use a query like the one below to access taxicab data from New York City:

      SELECT 
        T.tpep_pickup_datetime, 
        T.tpep_dropoff_datetime, 
        T.fare_amount, 
        T.pickup_zip, 
        T.dropoff_zip, 
        T.trip_distance, 
        T.weekday,
        CASE 
          WHEN T.weekday = 1 THEN 'Sunday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 2 THEN 'Monday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 3 THEN 'Tuesday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 4 THEN 'Wednesday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 5 THEN 'Thursday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 6 THEN 'Friday'
          WHEN T.weekday = 7 THEN 'Saturday'
          ELSE 'N/A'
        END AS day_of_week
      FROM (
        SELECT 
          dayofweek(tpep_pickup_datetime) as weekday, 
          *
        FROM 
          `samples`.`nyctaxi`.`trips`
        WHERE 
          trip_distance > 0 
          AND trip_distance < 10 
          AND fare_amount > 0 
          AND fare_amount < 50
      ) T
      ORDER BY 
        T.weekday;
    

3. Step 3: Create and Place a Visualization - Switch to the Canvas tab to create visualizations like charts, tables, or maps. Drag and drop widgets onto your dashboard to organize your insights.
4. Step 4: Configure Your Visualization - Customize each visualization by selecting data fields, aggregation methods, and display options. Ensure that your visualizations effectively communicate your data insights.
5. Step 5: Share Your Dashboard - Once your dashboard is complete, you can share it with others by clicking on the Share option. This allows you to collaborate with team members or stakeholders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements to create a dashboard in Databricks?

A: You need to be logged into a Databricks workspace with SQL entitlement and have access to at least one SQL warehouse.

Q: Can I use data from external sources for my dashboard?

A: Yes, you can use data from external sources by connecting them to your Databricks workspace or using APIs to fetch data.

Q: How do I customize the layout of my dashboard?

A: You can customize the layout by dragging and dropping widgets and adjusting their sizes in the Canvas tab.

Q: Can I schedule my dashboard to refresh automatically?

A: Yes, you can set up automatic refreshes for your dashboard to ensure it always displays the latest data.

Q: How do I share my dashboard with others?

A: You can share your dashboard by clicking on the Share option and providing access to specific users or groups.

Q: Can I use HTML to format text in my dashboard?

A: While you can't directly use HTML in dashboard widgets, you can use the DisplayHTML function in notebooks to display formatted text using HTML.

Q: Are there any limitations on the size of data I can use for my dashboard?

A: While there are no strict limits, large datasets may impact performance. It's advisable to optimize your queries and data processing for better performance.

Bottom Line: Creating a dashboard in Databricks is a straightforward process that involves defining datasets, creating visualizations, and configuring them to effectively communicate insights. With Databricks' intuitive interface, you can easily build and share dynamic dashboards to enhance data-driven decision-making.

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