Apricot Data Standards are the foundation of all reporting in Impact Hub. They define which forms and fields from Apricot are included in reporting and how that data is structured once it reaches Impact Hub.
Rather than pulling data directly from Apricot forms, Impact Hub relies on Data Standards to create consistent, report-ready datasets. This approach helps ensure reporting is accurate, reliable, and aligned with how your organization defines and measures impact.
From Data Standards to datasets
When an Apricot Data Standard is published, Impact Hub automatically creates a corresponding dataset. Each published Data Standard produces one dataset, which includes all selected forms, fields, and required metadata. Dataset creation occurs overnight after the Data Standard is published. After that, new or updated Apricot records are synced into Impact Hub on a regular schedule, approximately every two hours.
Each dataset is organized around an anchor form, which represents the primary record in the data, such as a participant or case. Other forms included in the Data Standard are related back to this anchor form. This structure makes it possible to analyze related data together while preserving clear relationships between records.
Why Data Standards matter in Impact Hub
Because Data Standards standardize how data is collected and structured, Impact Hub can provide consistent reporting across programs, sites, and organizations.
This is especially important when reporting needs to be shared or compared. Data Standards help ensure that metrics are calculated the same way, fields are interpreted consistently, and results can be trusted across different audiences. You do not need to participate in a Service Provider Network to benefit from this approach; Data Standards and Impact Hub are equally valuable for single Apricot organizations.
What’s included in a dataset
Datasets generated from Data Standards include both your selected fields and additional metadata fields that support analysis in Impact Hub. These metadata fields help with tasks like counting records, filtering data, and understanding relationships between forms.
For example, metadata fields are used to:
Count unique records accurately
Track whether records are active
Understand parent–child relationships between forms
Identify when records were last updated
These fields work behind the scenes to support accurate reporting and are a key reason Impact Hub relies on Data Standards rather than raw form data.
How this supports reporting in Impact Hub
Once a dataset is available, it can be used to build dashboards and visualizations in Impact Hub. Because the data is already structured and standardized, reports can focus on insights instead of data preparation.
This design helps reduce manual work, supports consistent analysis, and makes it easier to explore trends, outcomes, and performance across different parts of your organization.