Exploring data

Exploring your data in DoordaOnline is straightforward, especially by utilising dashboards and charts that your colleagues have already set up. This guide will walk you through the various methods to locate questions, dashboards, and data sources within DoordaOnline.

Finding Questions and Dashboards

Collections

In DoordaOnline, collections function similarly to folders, organising all your dashboards and charts. For instance, your organisation might have access to collections named "Business" and "Geodemographics" for data from different products.

To explore a collection:

1. In the left navigation sidebar, locate and click on the desired collection. If the sidebar isn't visible, click the ☰ icon in the top left corner to reveal it.

Within the collection, you'll see a list of items, including datasets, questions and dashboards. Pinning important items helps in quickly accessing them. Additionally, you can create subcollections to further organise content.

2. Click on a dataset to view its contents.

This dashboard will display various cards with charts, organised under different tabs. You'll learn how to delve into the data behind these charts in subsequent sections.

Using the Search Function

The search feature in DoordaOnline scans through the names, descriptions, and metadata of your questions and dashboards, making it useful when you have a specific topic in mind.

To use the search function:

1. Open the command palette by clicking on "Search" at the top left of the screen.

The command palette will appear, offering a powerful tool for various actions, such as searching for data related to "Benefits".

2. Type your search term (e.g., "Benefits") into the search bar.

A list of results will appear, such as tables and questions related to your search term. If there are numerous results, you can narrow them down:

3. Access advanced search by clicking on "View and filter all results" under the search bar.

This will open a new page with filters like content type (e.g., questions or dashboards) and creator.

4. For instance, to filter results to show only models, select "Content type" and then choose "Model".

This refined search will display relevant models, which are curated, pre-configured datasets designed to answer common questions.

Locating Data Sources

If you prefer to start your data exploration directly from the source tables, DoordaOnline allows you to browse all accessible tables and models.

To browse databases and tables:

1. In the left navigation sidebar, click on "Browse" and then select "Databases". If the sidebar isn't open, click the ☰ icon in the top left to display it.

A list of databases available for querying will appear.

2. Find and click on the desired database.

You'll see a list of all tables within that database.

3. Click on any table (e.g., "Pensioner Income") to view its data.

From here, you can begin exploring the data within the table by clicking on cells to filter the table or using the "Filter" and "Summarize" buttons in the top left corner.

Summary

In DoordaOnline, there are several ways to locate the data you're interested in:

• Browsing Collections: Explore existing questions or dashboards created by others.

• Using the Search Function: Utilise the Search palette to find specific items.

• Browsing Databases and Tables: Access raw data directly by navigating through databases and their respective tables.

By familiarising yourself with these methods, you can efficiently navigate DoordaOnline and make the most of its data exploration capabilities.