Content linking creates interactive dashboards where components are connected through parameter passing. When a user selects a value in one component (like clicking a bar in a chart or selecting a row in a table), other dashboard components update automatically to reflect that selection.
For example, selecting a specific region in a map could filter a sales chart to show only data for that region. This creates a dynamic, drill-down experience where users can explore data relationships.
Content linking is implemented through parameter mapping between components, where the output parameter of one component becomes the input parameter for others.
In this workshop we're going to create a Product Performance Dashboard.
From the User Console Home Perspective, click Create New -> Dashboard.
Select the 1 and 2 template, on the Templates tab, click 1 and 2.
To view the available themes, click the Themes tab.
Select: Ruby theme.
In the Page Title text box, type: Product Performance Dashboard.
Product Sales by Year
To add the Product Sales by Year report to the dashboard, from the Browsepane:
From the Files pane, drag: 'Product Sales by Year' to the Untitled 1 panel on the dashboard.
To add a panel title, in the Title text box, type: 'Product Sales Analysis'.
To enable dashboard viewers to click a Product Name in the report and have the chart on the right update with the values associated with that product, you must enable content linking.
To enable content linking for the Product Name field:
• In the bottom pane, click the Content Linking tab.
• Click the Enabled checkbox for Product.
• Click Apply.
Territory Sales Mix
To allow dashboard users click a 'Product Name' in the report and have the chart on the right update with the values associated with that product, enable content linking.
In the Untitled 2 header, click Insert Content, and then click Chart.
From the Select Data Source dialog, click Orders, and then click OK.
Add columns to the Selected Columns:
• From the Categories/Columns click Customer > Territory.
• Click the top arrow to move Territory to the Selected Columns area.
• From the Categories/Columns click Orders -> Total.
• Click the top arrow to move Total to the Selected Columns area.
Add a condition for Product Name:
• From the Categories / Columns list, click Products > Product Name.
• Click the middle arrow to move Product Name to the Conditions area.
• In the Value field, type {PRODUCT}.
• In the Default field, type: 18th century schooner.
• Click OK.
To create the pie chart, complete the following fields in the Chart Designer window, and then click OK.
Field
Entry
Chart Type
Pie Chart
Theme
Legacy
Series Column
Territory
Values Column
Total
Chart Title
Click on a Product Name to update:
To add a panel title with the parameter, in the Title text box, type Territory Sales Mix for, and then click the Add parameters to title icon.
To create a parameter that obtains the Product Name from the Product Sales Analysis report:
• In the bottom pane, click the Parameters tab.
• From the Source drop-down list, select Product Sales Analysis – Product.
To enable content linking for the Territory field:
• In the bottom pane, click the Content Linking tab.
• Click the Enabled checkbox for Territory.
• Click Apply.
Bar Chart
Finally .. create a bar chart showing the number of orders for the product selected on the Product Sales by Year report and the Territory.
In the Untitled 3 header, click Insert Content, and then click Chart.
From the Select Data Source dialog, click Orders, and then click OK.
Add columns to the Selected Columns:
• From the Categories / Columns click Orders -> Status.
• Click the top arrow to move Status to the Selected Columns area.
• From the Categories / Columns click Products > Product Name.
• Click the top arrow to move Product Name to the Selected Columns area.
• From the Categories/Columns click Orders > Order Number.
• Click the top arrow to move Order Number to the Selected Columns area.
To count the number of distinct orders, from the Aggregation drop-down list for Order Number, select COUNT_DISTINCT.
Add conditions for Product Name and Territory:
• From the Categories / Columns list, click Products -> Product Name.
• Click the middle arrow to move Product Name to the Conditions area.
• In the Value field, type {PRODUCT}.
• In the Default field, type 18th century schooner.
• From the Categories/Columns list, click Customer ->Territory.
• Click the middle arrow to move Territory to the Conditions area.
• In the Value field, type {TERRITORY}.
• In the Default field, type NA.
• Click OK.
Complete the following fields in the Chart Designer window, and then click OK.
Field
Entry
Chart Type
Bar Chart
Theme
Legacy
Series Column
Status
Category Column
Product Name
Values Column
Order Number (COUNT_DISTINCT)
Chart Title
Click on a Territory in the report above:
In the Title text box, type Order Status Summary for, and then click the Add parameters to title icon.
To create parameters that obtain the Product Name from the Product Sales Analysis report and the Territory from the Territory Sales Mix chart:
• In the bottom pane, click the Parameters tab.
• From the Source drop-down list for PRODUCT, select Product Sales Analysis – Product.
• In the bottom pane, click the Parameters tab.
• From the Source drop-down list for TERRITORY, select Territory Sales Mix.
• Click Apply.
The Content Linking will only work once you have saved your dashboard.
On the main toolbar, click the Edit Content button.
From the Product Sales Analysis report, click 1900s Vintage Tri-Plane.
From the Territory Sales Mix chart, click NA.
Content Linking
Template - 1 and 2
Product Sales Analysis
Content Linking - Product
Pie Chart - Territory Sales
Add {PRODUCT} param to Title & pickup for Pie Chart.
