Explore data with Reveal (Beta)

Use Reveal to explore data model metrics with ease and flexibility. Interact intuitively with the data, and create iterative analyses to surface insights without pre-planned drill paths and other technical dependencies. You can select and reorder multiple data dimensions, modify how the data is displayed, and share your Reveals with other users to collaborate and facilitate further exploration.

This document introduces Reveal, provides best practices for optimizing performance, and explains how to access and use the tool.

System and user requirements

Reveal is currently only available for data model elements that have metrics defined.

The ability to manage a data model to optimize for Reveal requires the following:

• You must be assigned an account type with the Create, edit, and publish datasets permissions enabled.

• You must be the data model owner or have Can edit access to the data model.

The ability to use Reveal to explore data model metrics requires the following:

• You must be assigned an account type with the View datasets permission enabled.

• You must have Can view or Can edit access to the data model.

About Reveal

Reveal is an interactive data discovery tool that enables users to intuitively explore data and surface insights to better understand what's driving data model metrics. Reveal departs from rigid workflows and removes the skill barriers found in traditional BI tools, making data analysis accessible for business users, analysts, and non-technical stakeholders. The simple interface offers a flexible and iterative data exploration process that pivots, groups, and aggregates data without requiring pre-planned drill paths, schema familiarity, or SQL knowledge.

Reveal allows users to:

• Select a metric and segment data by one or more dimensions
• View dimension value details
• Switch between metrics while maintaining the dimensions
• Customize the data view
• Share existing explorations for further data discovery

Best practices for optimizing performance

Optimize the performance of Reveal by implementing the following best practices.

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• To optimize performance, the data model owner or a user with Can edit access must complete the best practice steps prior to the use of Reveal.

• Limit number of dimensions
• Arrange dimensions
• Leverage time-based analysis
• Format metrics

Limit number of dimensions

Dimensions are derived from visible columns in the corresponding data model element. You can optimize speed and manageability by starting with 10 to 15 dimensions.

To reduce the number of dimensions, hide nonessential columns in the data model element.

1. To access the editable state of a data model element, follow the steps provided in Edit an element .
2. In the element, right-click the header of a column you want to hide, then select Hide column. Repeat for other columns as needed.
3. In the data model header, click Publish to save your changes.

Arrange dimensions

Arrange dimensions in a useful and intuitive way. For example, in order of low cardinality (few distinct values) and high usage (most frequently used in filters, groupings, and aggregations).

To reorder the dimensions, move columns in the corresponding data model element.

1. To access the editable state of a data model element, follow the steps provided in Edit an element.
2. In the element, click and drag the header of a column you want to move, then drop it in the preferred position. Repeat for other columns as needed.
3. In the data model header, click Publish to save your changes.

Leverage time-based analysis

When a metric can be segmented by date (i.e., the corresponding data model element includes a date column), enable the metric timeline to leverage time-based analysis.

1. To access the metric settings, follow the steps provided in Edit a metric in a data model .
2. In the Edit metric modal, turn on the Timeline toggle, then click Save.
3. In the data model header, click Publish to save your changes.

Format metrics

Format metrics using SI units to prevent measures from being cut off. For currency data, set the custom format string to $.0S.

1. To access the metric settings, follow the steps provided in Edit a metric in a data model .
2. In the Edit metric modal, go to the Preview section.
3. In the toolbar, click Format and select the applicable option:
   • If formatting non-currency data, select SI unit.
   • If formatting currency data, select Custom number. In the Custom format modal, set Format string to $.0S, then click Apply.
4. In the Edit metric modal, click Save.
5. In the data model header, click Publish to save your changes.

Explore data with Reveal

Flexibly explore and interact with your data to discover insights about your data model metrics.

1. Open the data model containing the metrics you want to explore.

2. In the data model overview page, expand the relevant element overview and click Reveal.

3. In the Metrics panel, select a metric.

4. Reveal displays the metric data segmented by each dimension. Click Select dimension in a specific dimension header to begin exploring the data.

5. Choose how to interact with the data:

   Add multiple dimensions	To further segment a dimension, click Add dimension and select a subdimension. Repeat for additional subdimensions as needed.
   View details for a specific dimension value	Select the value node. The Details panel displays a time-series chart and additional data dimensions previews for that value.
   View a comparative time-series chart	Select multiple value nodes (using ⌘ + left-click on a Mac or ctrl + left-click on Windows). The Details panel displays a time-series chart with a timeline of all selected values.
   Reorder dimensions	To restructure the data groupings, click and drag a dimension header, then drop it in the preferred position. Repeat for additional dimensions as needed.
   Remove a dimension	In the dimension header, click Remove.
   Switch metrics	In the Metrics panel, select a different metric to view its data on the same dimensions.

6. Configure the view:

   Set a date range	Define the time period for the analysis. Setting a shorter time period (relative to the date range filter applied to the metrics in the data model overview page) can improve the performance of Reveal.
   Select a format	Format the data as raw values, or transform it to % of parent or % of total.
   Change the display	Display the data in a hierarchical tree structure or as a grouped table.

Share a Reveal

You can share the current state of your Reveal with other users to deliver specific insights, or to provide a starting point for further data exploration.

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Only users with access to the underlying data model can view a shared Reveal.

1. In the Reveal toolbar, click Share path.

2. In the Share path modal, copy the shareable URL.

3. Distribute the URL to share the exact state of your Reveal, including the selected metric, added dimensions, dimension order, and view configurations.