The ability to visualize your data in Mediatool is nearly limitless. So, to help get you started, we've put together this guide to Dashboards and Reports.
In this guide, you will learn the why, where, how, and what of data visualization within Mediatool; preparing you to create the perfect dashboard or report!
Why should I spend time visualizing my data?
Mediatool's reporting capabilities enable insights that are otherwise impossible, or too time-consuming, to produce. Here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons to create reports and dashboards:
Achieve an accurate and up-to-date overview of media plans across any level
Track how campaigns-in-progress stack up against budgets and other strategic targets
Monitor live-campaign performance in order to make mid-campaign adjustments
Directly compare planned estimates to actual results
If these types of insights are of interest to you, read on!
What data can I use?
There are 3 data sources that can be used when building dashboards and reports:
Targets - Data is sourced from entries made in the Targets Section
Planning - Data is sourced from entries made in the Planning Sheet View
Results - Data is sourced from automated third-party integrations and manual entries made in the Results Section
Before continuing, make sure you have configured all necessary Fields and Tags. You won't be able to create reports on measures and dimensions that aren't in use.
What chart types exist?
Currently, there are 22 different chart types to choose from:
Circular: Pie Chart and Spider Web
Bars: Column, Stacked Column, Percent Column, Bar, Stacked Bar, Percent Bar
Lines: Line, Spline
Areas: Area, Area Spline, Stacked Area, Stacked Spline, Percent Area, Percent Spline
Numbers: Number, Sparkline Sum, Gauge
Tables: Table, Heatmap, Pivot Table
Outside of charts, you can also visualize your planning data with the Calendar View, which is included in the Media Overview section of every account and plan.
Where can I visualize my data?
Data visualization is segmented at three different levels of observation:
Parent Level - Charts created in the Parent Account will source data from every connected client or subsidiary account
Client or Subsidiary Level - Charts created in a particular Client or Subsidiary Account will source data limited to that account
Plan Level - Charts created within a particular plan will source data limited to that plan
You can visualize data for these levels of observation, in two possible locations:
Media and Plan Overview Section - Charts created in a Dashboard in this section will source data only from Plans
Reports Section - Charts created in a Report in this section can be sourced from Targets, Plans, and/or Results
In summary, a Dashboard created in the Media or Plan Overview sections can only source data from the sheet view of your plans. Whereas, Reports can source data from any combination of data sources; targets, plans, and/or results. This makes the Reports Section the most powerful section for data visualization and comparison.
How do I create a Dashboard or Report?
To create a Dashboard:
Head to the relevant level of observation for either the Media or Plan Overview
Choose to start from scratch or generate an example dashboard from existing data
Give your dashboard a name
Select whether or not you'd like the dashboard to be made available to users of your subsidiary organizations
Click create your first chart
To create a Report:
Head to the relevant level of observation and Reports section
Give your report a name
Select whether or not you'd like the report to be made available to users of your subsidiary organizations
Click create your first chart
Chart configuration:
Data Source: choose any combination of targets, planning, or results
Measure: the quantitative measure you're looking to capture
Dimension: the qualitative split or categorization you'd like to see for the measure(s)
Grain: the time increments in which you'd like the data to be displayed. Reminder that the date range is controlled in the calendar settings at the top right corner of the page itself
Datasets: datasets need to be added when creating charts in the reports section. This is required because you can choose to display data from three data sources, whereas you are limited to one in dashboards
Filter by media data and date ranges
Date range and media data filters make Mediatool dashboards and reports extremely dynamic. Watch the video above for more details on how to make use of filters.
Consider making your dashboard or report available to users at the subsidiary level
Consider this time-saving feature: dashboards and reports can be made available to users at lower levels in the account hierarchy.
For example, if Acme - Global created a report at the parent account level, that same report can be made available to the various Acme - Country accounts, and all Acme media plans. When viewing the dashboard or report at a lower level in the account hierarchy, the source data becomes limited to the corresponding level of observation.
This enables you to create and manage a dashboard or report structure for the entire organization at one level. To enable this feature:
Upon creation - select the checkbox that states, make this report available to users on your subsidiary organizations, whenever you are creating a new dashboard or report
After creation - click edit and then click the cog-wheel settings symbol, located at the upper center of the Media Overview Dashboard
How do I add a chart to an existing Dashboard or Report?
Click the edit button to the right of the dashboard or report title
Click add chart
After configuring your chart, it will appear below all of your existing charts
Click the green Done button to save before navigating elsewhere
How do I edit, copy, or delete an existing chart?
Click the edit button to the right of the dashboard or report title
At the top right corner of every chart, there are three symbols. Click on the corresponding action you'd like to take
Click the green Done button to save before navigating elsewhere
How do I re-size or rearrange a chart within a Dashboard or Report?
Click the edit button to the right of the dashboard or report title
Click anywhere on a chart to be able to drag and drop it into another location within the dashboard or report
Click on the bottom right corner of a chart to be able to drag and resize it
Click the green Done button to save before navigating elsewhere
How do I export a chart within a Dashboard or Report?
All charts created within a dashboard or report can be exported together in bulk as a PDF by clicking on the export button shown in the GIF below.
Note that there is a checkered red-line titled "page break" that periodically runs across the edit screen of dashboards and reports. If you plan on exporting your dashboard or report as a PDF, make sure that this page break line does not intersect one of your charts. Charts should come before and after the line, in order to display properly when exported.
Individual charts can be exported either as a PNG, JPEG, SVG, or CSV. To do so, click on the three-lined "hamburger menu" to the top-right of any individual chart. Refer to the GIF below.
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