If you’re among the many freelancers, entrepreneurs, managers, or C-suite executives looking to organize your tasks and visualize your achievements, you’ve probably thought more than twice about getting your own customized dashboard.
Here’s the problem: Building a customized dashboard isn’t free. Hiring developers will require a bank account bursting at the seams, as costs can easily exceed $100,000 if you’re creating a dashboard for a large organization. There is another way: Build your dashboard yourself.
That’s right: You can create a dashboard for yourself or your organization without any coding knowledge and on a budget. In this article, we’ll show you how to make your own no-code dashboard.
What is a No-Code Dashboard?
A no-code dashboard is built using no-code, a miraculous technology that’s been around since the early 2000s. No-code allows those with zero programming or tech skills to create professional-looking, highly functional software, including dashboards.
No-code works pretty much the same as creating files on a desktop computer. At the center of your screen, you’ll have a building canvas that you’ll use to bring your dashboard to life. You’ll drag and drop elements like graphics, buttons, pictures, and more onto your building canvas from your editing dashboard.
Like all other software and applications, a no-code dashboard has these three components:
- The Frontend: This is the visual part of your dashboard; it’s what you’ll see and interact with on its screen or pages. It includes all the charts, graphs, and numbers — everything you need to display your data.
- The Backend: This is your dashboard’s brain. The backend will take data from your database and transform it into insightful visualizations. It will also grab data from external sources and deliver it to your database.
- The Database: This is your dashboard’s memory bank. With Adalo, you can connect one database to two different frontends — one that gathers data and the other that displays data.
Connecting your database to two frontends is simple, and we’ll show you how to do so in Step 3.
Your Dashboard’s Blueprint
First, you’ll need a plan and a proper no-code tool that you’ll leverage to build your no-code dashboard. Here are three things you’ll need before you start:
- An Adalo Membership: Adalo is one of the most powerful no-code mobile app-building platforms. Yet, it’s also one of the simplest — you can start using Adalo immediately after you create your account without any prior tutorial help.
- A Data Source: Visualizing data is one of a dashboard’s primary functions. So, you’ll need a data source that your dashboard will use to draw its data up. If you’re like most organizations, you already have a data source.
Most premade databases connect to Adalo with ease. Adalo connects with the following databases:
- Google Sheets
- Airtable
- Xano
- Microsoft SQL
You can create your own using Adalo’s built-in database if you don't have one.
- A list of your dashboard’s visuals: Your dashboard’s job is to visualize your database’s data. You’ll likely want several charts and graphs that illustrate your data. Jot down a list of each graph or chart type you want (bar graph, pie chart, etc.), and sketch out where you want them to go on your app.
How to Build a No-Code Dashboard in 5 Steps
Now that you’ve got your Adalo account and a plan, it’s time to get building!
Step 1: Customize Your Frontend
To get started building a dashboard, choose a blank template. While starting from scratch may seem daunting, don’t worry: Adalo has all the tools you need to make a flashy, functional, and super-professional app.
When you build with Adalo, you’ll leverage these 3 components to make your app: The top horizontal ribbon, the building canvas, and the left-hand drop-down menu.
The horizontal ribbon is at the top of your screen. Use it to access your Adalo account and preview your dashboard as if it were live.
The building canvas, at the center of your screen, is where you’ll build your dashboard. Essentially, this is a “blueprint version” of your dashboard and how each dashboard screen connects to the others.
On the building canvas, you can move charts, graphs, and other elements around, free-form style, just using your cursor.
The most crucial part of your building interface is the drop-down editing menu, which is located on the left side of your screen. This tool has all the buttons for creating, editing, and adding functions to your app.
From top to bottom, here’s an overview of each button and the tasks it executes:
- Add Elements and Screens/ “+”: This colorful button adds new screens, charts, graphs, and lists to your app.
- Branding: Push this button to change your dashboard’s color scheme and font.
- Screens: When you select this button, you’ll see all your dashboard’s screens. Use this for quick access, as the screen you click on from this list will immediately pop up in the center of your building canvas.
- Database Collection: We’ll talk about how to organize your database in Step 2, and how to connect other databases in Step 3.
- Settings: Here’s where you’ll connect APIs to gather data from external sources.
- Publish: Want to release a native mobile version of our dashboard that users can download directly from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store? Adalo lets you do so.
And, like other no-code app builders, you’ll also be able to release your app to the web, which folks can access via their browsers.
- Analytics: Click this button to access information about your users, their locations, and more.
- Version History: This button allows you to save up to 10 versions of your dashboard, so you can try out different interactions to see which works best!
Adding Screens, Charts, and Graphs
Creating visuals is one of the key parts of building a useful dashboard. Press the colorful “+” to start your search.
To see Adalo’s selection of charts, graphs, and other data visualization tools, you’ll need to find the “Explore Marketplace Button.” Push it, then search for Charts and Graphs. You’ll find a few free options and several pay options. Once you install them, just drag the ones you want over to your desired screen.
You can change the style and color of any graph or chart by clicking on it, selecting the “Branding” button (the one that looks like an artist’s palette) on your drop-down editing menu, and choosing the color you want.
Deleting Screens, Graphs, and More
When building your dashboard, you might realize that you no longer need a screen or a chart. Don’t worry — deleting these is a breeze.
To remove a screen from your dashboard, find the one you want to delete using the “Screens” button. Click the screen you no longer need, select the vertical dots at the top, and press “Delete.”
Change your mind about a chart, graph, or other element? Just hover your cursor above the unwanted one until a yellow outline appears — this takes about one second. Click on the outlined element, and an edit box will pop up on your drop-down editing menu’s right. Find the 3 vertical dots, and press “delete.”
Step 2: Organize Your Data
Push the “Database” button on your drop-down editing menu to create a database in Adalo. Each database is made up of 3 parts: Collections, properties, and records.
Collections look like spreadsheets, and are actually “mini” databases. The sum of all your collections make up your database. For instance, if you’re running a dashboard to track your ecommerce app, you can have collections that include “Revenue,” “Users,” “Location,” and more.
Properties live in each collection, and are the titles of all the records stored in them. For a collection of “Revenue,” the properties may include item type, price, date sold, etc.
Records are the actual data within your database. They come from users entering your data in your app.
Step 3: Connecting an External Database and Connecting One Database to Multiple Frontends
If you have an external database with one of the providers we mentioned above, you’ll be able to connect it with just a few clicks — literally. Just navigate to the “Database” button on your drop-down editing menu. Then, click “Add External Collection” at the bottom of the list, and you’re good to go.
We told you it was easy.
Step 4: Connecting APIs and Third-Party Applications
Some might want to gather data from other web databases and display it in real-time on their dashboard. Adalo makes this a cinch.
First, make sure you have your data source’s API key. Then, push the “Settings” button and navigate to the “API” section. Follow all the directions, and you’re set.
Want to gather data from a third-party app you already subscribe to, like QuickBooks or MailChimp? Follow these steps:
- Select the screen you want to integrate with.
- Scroll down to “Add Action” in the editing box.
- Choose “New Integration,” and choose the third-party app you want to connect to.
- Follow the directions for integrating the third-party app with your dashboard, and you’re done.
Step 5: Preview and Launch Your Dashboard
When you want to see a live preview of your dashboard, press the green “Preview App” button on your top horizontal ribbon. You’ll be able to see how your dashboard will look on an iPhone 15, tablet, desktop, tablet, or Samsung Galaxy S20.
This function will allow you to use your dashboard as if it were live. Note any problems or glitches that you find and fix them immediately. Then, share your dashboard with others by clicking the “Preview App” button and choosing “Share Your App.”
When people give you feedback, incorporate the needed changes into your dashboard. Doing this will ensure your dashboard provides a seamless user experience while running without a hitch.
When you’re ready to publish your app, simply press the “Publishing” button. Adalo will send you a link allowing anyone with it to download your app. Send the link to the folks who need it.
Next Steps: Maintaining Your Dashboard
If you find any problems, fix them immediately. A poorly performing dashboard can interfere with your professional goals. Ensure the charts, graphs, and other elements properly reflect the contents of your database.
During your building experience, you might have some issues. But worry not! Adalo has an abundant ecosystem of resources to make your software development journey a breeze. Here they are:
- The Adalo Forum: Access Adalo’s enormous community, ask questions, and connect with others building their own apps.
- Help Documents: Read in-depth directions about every aspect of Adalo’s app-building interface.
- The Adalo Academy: Adalo’s Academy has all the necessary courses and tutorials to boost your app-building skills.
Ultimately, creating your own dashboard with Adalo can not only give you valuable business insights but can also be fun. Best of luck with your experience!
