Dashboard - how to change Metric Widget data source after time of creation

GregPeters · 10/17/19

How do i change the data source of a metric widget?

You can 'add data' but this adds a new one.

In my particular use case we can now copy and paste widgets between dashboards, however this is no way to edit the data, ie use the widget as a template.

For me, we have a standard project template, and want a standard dashboard to match the template. Re-creating the dashboard for each project is very time consuming. Would be so much faster if i could just edit the data of an existing widget.

This is particularly time consuming when multiple metrics are within a single widget

Andrée Starå · 10/18/19

Hi Greg,

Great idea! That would be a great addition to Smartsheet features.

Please submit an Enhancement Request when you have a moment.

Hope that helps!

Have a fantastic weekend!

Best,

Andrée Starå

Workflow Consultant / CEO @ WORK BOLD

Paul Newcome · 10/18/19

If you save the dashboard and sheet in the same folder, you can then use the Save as New feature on the folder and make sure the option to link to newly created sheets is selected.

I use this A LOT. I have a folder that contains a dashboard, charter, project plan, various reports, and metrics sheets all spread out across various sub-folders and whatnot.

Cell links, widgets, cross sheet references, and everything else updates to link to the newly created sheets every time someone saves the folder as new.

It works like a charm and saves the hassle of me having to either re-link everything myself or teach all of my coworkers exactly where and how everything is linked.

Note: I don't have anything saved as an actual SS Template. All of the sheets are set up as a template with the appropriate fields pre-filled or blank, and then it just stays as a sheet in the folder. I don't actually "Save as Template".

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This will save you from having to recreate the dashboard every time since the dashboard will be pulled along with all other sheets in the "template" folder.

Paul Newcome · 10/18/19

To address the issue specifically mentioned of editing the data in a metrics widget, you can "Add Data" to display the new cell(s) in the metrics widget. If you then hover over the old data, an "x" will appear to the right that you can click to remove it.

I know that is still an extra step, but at least you don't have to completely recreate the widget or dashboard.

GregPeters · 10/20/19

Thanks, I did know of this but you still need to re-create all the formating.

The other suggestion of moving the whole folder works very well.

GregPeters · 10/20/19

Thankyou!

This is a brilliant solution

Paul Newcome · 10/21/19

That is true about re-creating the formatting. Generally when I am doing something where I will need to duplicate outside of using the Save as New on a folder, I end up using save as new on at least the metrics sheet.

Because of this, I put the formatting on the sheet itself and then just use the button where you can display the formatting in the widget.

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I know it isn't really all that different because you are still duplicating formatting, but (and I have no idea why) I personally find formatting a lot easier to line up across sheets than across widgets.

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I'm glad the other suggestion of saving a folder works well for you though. It has saved me and my team A LOT of time and hassle.

Paul Newcome · 10/21/19

Happy to help!

DanPihlaja · 08/04/22

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/219376#Comment_219376

"add Data" I do not see this option at all. The ONLY option is to "Change" the data. And when I select a new cell to show the metric to, it does not update. Maybe Smartsheet has evolved since 2019....but I don't see what you see.

DanPihlaja · 08/04/22

https://community.smartsheet.com/discussion/comment/338691#Comment_338691

Now i see it. It was inside the widget itself and not in the area on the right side where you edit the data.

Honestly, this is something that Smartsheet seriously needs to work on better. If they reference some term or way to do something....maybe show us where it is on the page?

Paul Newcome · 08/04/22

@DanPihlaja Smartsheet usually has pretty good documentation. What do you mean by...

"If they reference some term or way to do something....maybe show us where it is on the page?"

Dashboard - how to change Metric Widget data source after time of creation

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