---
title: "Build a Basic Dashboard"
slug: "build-a-basic-dashboard"
updated: 2026-03-02T19:40:33Z
published: 2026-03-02T19:40:36Z
canonical: "documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/build-a-basic-dashboard"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.lakesidesoftware.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Build a Basic Dashboard

Dashboards are built by dragging [data blocks and visualization objects](/documentation/docs/data-blocks-and-visualization-objects) from the Toolbox to the workspace, defining each object's properties, and [linking](/documentation/docs/link-data-blocks-and-visualization-objects) them to one another. Before you begin, familiarize yourself with the [Dashboard Builder workspace.](/documentation/docs/navigate-the-dashboard-builder-workspace)

1. Drag a [Query Data block](/documentation/docs/define-a-query-data-block) to the workspace and define the Query Data block as necessary. The Query Data block retrieves data based on a SQL query and makes it available to a grid or other visualization objects. For users who are not completely familiar with writing SQL queries, the Query Data block also includes a [data blocks and visualization objects](/documentation/docs/data-blocks-and-visualization-objects) help you build a SQL query to access SysTrack data.
2. Drag a visualization object block to the workspace (for example, a grid, gauge etc).
3. [Connect the Query Data Block to the visualization object](/documentation/docs/link-data-blocks-and-visualization-objects) (grid, gauge, chart, etc) to supply data input to the visualization object.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/grid_column_properties.png)
4. Open the [Input Bindings](/documentation/docs/input-bindings) section, and if necessary select an input. The **Input Bindings** section may be populated automatically if there is only one possible input for the type of object being linked.
5. Set the **Properties** for the visualization object on the **Object** tab (such as the **Column Properties** in the example above).
6. Optionally, supply an **Order** for where on the Dashboard you want the grid to display.

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**: The SysTrack Dashboard Viewer allows you to move most objects and save the layout, but the Order parameter places the objects initially.
7. Optionally, rename the visualization object block in the **Name** field, and provide a **Description**. The name will appear in the visualization object's title bar when the dashboard is viewed.
8. Click the **Apply** button on the **Dashboard** tab to save your changes.

> [!NOTE]
> **NOTE**: Changes made on the Dashboard workspace are saved automatically, but you must click the Apply button to save changes to dashboard Properties.
9. Optionally, select the **Dashboard** tab, then add a **Name** and **Description** and select a **Dashboard Summary Color**. The dashboard name and description will display in any link to the dashboard, such as the Dashboard Browser. The Dashboard Summary Color will be used in the [Dash Link object](/documentation/docs/define-a-dash-link) when it displays a link to this dashboard.
10. Optionally, either select or define any [search tags](/documentation/docs/define-tags), [categories](/documentation/docs/define-categories), or [personas](/documentation/docs/define-personas) you want to include with your dashboard.

![Dashboard properties section with fields for name, description, and settings options.](https://cdn.document360.io/87d11426-6b1f-4b19-b593-b71e55a81af3/Images/Documentation/Dashboard_Properties(1).png)
11. If you wish to restrict access to this Dashboard in the Dashboard Viewer select a security role (group or user) from the drop-down list in the **Security Roles** field. Leave this field blank if you wish all Dashboard Viewer users to have access to your dashboard. (See [Managing and Assigning Security Roles to Dashboards](/documentation/docs/manage-and-assign-security-roles-to-dashboards) for more information).
12. [Preview your dashboard](/documentation/docs/preview-a-dashboard-from-dashboard-builder) to see how it displays in the Dashboard Viewer.