Explorer in PowerMetrics is a personal, free-form analysis workspace where you can investigate metric data, apply filters, switch chart types, segment by dimensions, run trend and forecast analyses, and compare time periods — all without affecting the underlying metric or its data for anyone else.
Your Explorer settings are saved to your personal view and are not visible to other users. When you find an insight worth sharing, add the explored metric to a dashboard.
Explorer at a glance
Here are a few things to note about analyzing metrics in Explorer:
- Number of metrics per chart: Visualize up to 5 metrics in a single chart (scatter, bubble, and combination charts use their own fixed metric count)
- Changes are personal: Your settings in Explorer only affect your view; they don't change the shared metric or its data
- Settings persist: Your choices are remembered and will be there the next time you open Explorer
- Reset: Click Reset Explorer in the top bar (or 3-dot menu) to clear all settings and start over
- Share: Add your explored metric to a dashboard, then share from there
- Role requirements: This article assumes you have an Editor role. If you have a Contributor or Viewer role, a some of the actions described here won't apply to you. Learn more about roles and permissions.
This article includes:
- What does the Explorer UI look like?
- How do I start exploring?
- What are my exploration options?
- How do I save my explored metrics?
- How do I share my explored metrics?
- Frequently asked questions
What does the Explorer UI look like?
Let's begin by taking a look at the Explorer UI.
In the Top bar, you'll find options to:
- Add an explored metric to a dashboard
- Download the visualization data as a CSV
- View queries (dbt™ Semantic Layer metrics only)
- Reset Explorer (removes all current metrics and settings)
These options, in addition to the view embed code action are also accessible via the 3-dot menu.
In the Metric tiles row (below the top bar), you'll find a list of the metrics you're currently exploring and the option to add more metric. You can explore up to 5 metrics at a time.
Each metric tile shows the connected service and metric name. Depending on the metric type and configuration, it may also show the aggregation type. Click anywhere in a tile to replace it with a different metric.
Note: For calculated metrics, clicking the 
icon lets you view the formula and navigate to each referenced metric's overview page.
The 3-dot menu on each tile gives you options to:
- Apply filters to the metric
- Move the metric left or right in the list and visualization
- Select the metric name to open its metric overview in a new tab, or to view About details
- Remove the metric from Explorer
- Change the aggregation type (Only for custom metrics with the option to override aggregation enabled)
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Note:
- Calculated metrics: The aggregation type option is not available for calculated metrics, because their values result from a formula, not an aggregated set of values.
- Instant metrics: We don't recommend changing the aggregation type for instant metrics, as they're created for you using the most appropriate settings.
- Scatter, bubble, and combination charts: The 3-dot menu shows Change metric instead of Remove. Learn more about exploring scatter, bubble, and combination charts.
In the Metric exploration window (below the metric tiles), are the selected date range and applied filters. Your metric displays as a chart in the main area, with the settings panel on the right.
How do I start exploring?
In Explorer, you can analyze metrics already in your account or add new metrics to explore. You can combine up to 5 metrics at a time for chart types that support multiple metrics (all chart types except pie, donut, summary, ranked table, tree map, and waterfall charts).
Note: The 5-metric limit doesn’t apply to scatter, bubble, and combination charts as they each include a fixed number of metrics (as defined by their type).
Tip: If you see "You have added the maximum number of metric slots in Explorer" and +Add metric is inactive, this means all 5 slots are being used. Remove a metric or reset Explorer to continue.
To start exploring:
- Click
in the left navigation sidebar. -
If you haven't added any metrics yet, click
.
If you've added metrics but want to add more, click +Add metric beside the existing metric tiles.
- On the Select metrics page, use the Search (enter the metric name), Service, and Display filters to narrow the list.
- Click
for each metric you want to add (up to 5 slots).
- To create new metrics for exploration, click Add new metrics on the Select metrics page.
- When you're finished selecting metrics, click Done.
What are my exploration options?
Explorer lets you modify your personal view of one or more metrics. Changes are reflected instantly in the visualization. This section lists all customization options, however, availability depends on your metric data and chosen chart type.
Quick reference for all exploration options:
- Date range: Preset or custom date windows
- Filters: Include or exclude dimension members per metric
- Aggregation: How values are summarized (sum, average, count, etc.)
- Chart type and style: Bar, line, pie, table, scatter, and more
- Segment by: Break down data by a dimension (region, product, rep, etc.)
- Over: Time periodicity grouping (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly)
- Comparison: Compare to a previous or custom period
- Analyses: Linear trend, moving average, normal range, or forecast
- Goals: Display goal targets on compatible chart types
- Sort: Sort axes, slices, rows, and columns
- Table-specific: Columns, rows, wrap text, display top/bottom
- Chart-specific: Break lines for blank values, show values as labels, abbreviate long values, legend position, axis settings, range, series settings, cumulative view, colours and bubbles, breakdown by
This section covers:
Choosing a date range
The metric's date range displays in the top left of the exploration window.
Choose from preset options, for example, Auto, Maximum date range, Today, Yesterday, Month to date, This year, Year to date, or click Custom to set a specific range. Learn more about the difference between "Auto" and "Maximum" date range filters.
- When you select Since as a custom setting, you choose a start date. The end date is the last day in your metric's data or the last day available on your plan, whichever comes first.
- The default first day of the week is Monday. Your Account Administrator can change this setting.
Applying filters
Filter your data by selecting the dimension members to include or exclude. For example, if the dimension is "Channel", you might filter by "Direct", "Email", and "Organic Search" to focus on those channels.
Filters are applied per metric via the 3-dot menu in each metric tile. You can filter by member or by condition (click "Condition filters" to switch). You can apply up to 10 conditions per dimension.
Tip: Use the Search feature to quickly find members in metrics with many values.
After applying filters:
- See a summary: Hover over a filter tile to see a tooltip listing the applied filters.
- View or modify: Click the filter tile.
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If your browser is too narrow to show all filters: Click Filters applied to open the "Applied filters" dialog.
In the dialog, view all filters or only active ones. You can also clear all filters here.
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To see which members a filter is applied to: Click the "Includes: x filters" link. You can also remove individual filters here.
Note: For clarity, keep member count below 20 per metric. Members beyond the first 20 are grouped under "Other" in the visualization.
Choosing metric visualization settings
Visualization options are located in the settings panel (right side of the exploration window). The metric view updates dynamically with each change. Available settings depend on the metric data and chosen chart type.
Note about total values: Total values always reflect the metric without segmentation. Depending on the aggregation and metric type, the total may not equal the sum of all visible chart values. For example, in calculated metrics, the total is the formula result applied to unsegmented operands. Total values display as orange in charts.
Aggregation
Aggregating data is a process wherein many values are returned as a single value, for example, as a sum, average, count of rows, max, or min. Available aggregation methods depend on the metric's data type.
Note: Metrics are automatically set to the most appropriate aggregation type when created. We don't recommend changing the aggregation type as this also changes the meaning of the data shown.
To view/change the aggregation type for custom metrics with override aggregation enabled: click the aggregation type badge in the metric tile, or use the 3-dot menu > Aggregation.
Chart Type and Style
Choose a chart type and style combination to display your data meaningfully. For example: Bar / Column type + Stacked Column style.
Available chart types: bar and column, line and area, pie and donut, tree map, radar plot, waterfall, heat map, summary, and table. Available styles depend on the chosen chart type. Learn more about chart types and styles.
Wrap text
For all table styles: wrap text in columns. For pivot tables: define the number of wrapped rows (2–5) to maintain consistent row height.
Display Top or Bottom
For ranked tables: choose whether to display the Top or Bottom rows and select the Number of rows to show.
Columns
For list and pivot tables: select columns to display. If the metric view is segmented by date/time, also select a time periodicity (for example, weekly, monthly, quarterly).
Rename column headings in a list table by selecting a heading and typing new text. The original name displays as a tooltip.
Enable Show total(s) to display summary values. (See the totals note above for how totals are calculated.) Pivot tables also show sub-totals when multiple dimensions (columns) are selected. The option is disabled if no dimensions (columns) are selected. In the table, you can select the "Total" heading and change its name.
Hide blank periods is available when the metric view is segmented by date/time.
For list tables: drag and drop column names to reorder them. Click "x" to remove a column.
Rows
For pivot tables: select rows to display. Drag and drop to reorder, or click "x" to remove. If segmented by date/time, select a time periodicity.
Enable Show total(s) to display summary values and sub-totals (when multiple dimensions (rows) are selected). You can also select the "Total" heading and change its name. (See the totals note above for how totals are calculated.)
Hide blank periods is available when the view is segmented by date/time.
Break lines for blank values
For line charts and radar plots: choose whether to break chart lines at data gaps (default) or draw a continuous line between known data points.
Show values as labels
Display data values as labels directly in the chart. Not available for tables, summary charts, or scatter/bubble charts.
Abbreviate long values
When enabled, abbreviates long values in the visualization. For example, "43,213" displays as "43.2K".
Legend position
For charts with a legend: position it at the bottom, right, left, or top. Select None to remove the legend.
Colours and Bubbles
For tree maps with a packed bubble style: under Colours, choose the dimensions to segment by. Under Bubbles, choose how to group the data.
Breakdown by
For tree maps: choose the dimension(s) by which to break down the data.
Segment by
Choose the dimension(s) by which to segment the data to see it from different perspectives. For example, segment sales by region, sales rep, or product type.
For donut charts, line and smooth line charts, and bar and column charts (excluding stacked and colour-by-category styles): enable Show total(s) to display summary values. (See the totals note above for how totals are calculated.)
Over
Choose how to group your data by time periodicity. PowerMetrics sets this automatically based on the selected date range, for example, "Last 7 days" > Auto (Daily); "Last 8 weeks" > Auto (Weekly). Override the auto-selection by choosing an alternate options from the drop-down. By default, the x axis displays time but bar charts enable you to select either a time dimension to group by or a non-time-related dimension.
Note: Quarterly periods are: Q1 starts Jan 1, Q2 starts Apr 1, Q3 starts Jul 1, Q4 starts Oct 1.
For bar and column charts: enable Show total(s) to display summary values. (See the totals note above for how totals are calculated.)
Series
Available for line/area charts and combination charts. Use the Series dropdown to apply settings to all members/metrics or to a specific member/metric.
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Show points - show or hide data points in line and combination charts.
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Line thickness - choose thickness. For area charts, also includes a None option.
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Line style - solid, dashed, dotted, etc.
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Fill area - gradient or solid fill for area charts. Only available when All members or All metrics is selected under Series.
Vertical axis or Horizontal axis
Available for bar/column, line/area, and combination charts.
Vertical axis settings are available for bar/column charts with a vertical axis, line/area charts, and combination charts.
Horizontal axis settings are available for bar/column charts with a horizontal axis.
- Show values — show or hide axis values
- Show axis line — show or hide the axis line
- Show gridlines — show or hide gridlines (available when "All axes" is selected)
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Axis label — select None (remove label), Auto (uses metric name), or Custom (enter your own label, where available by chart type).
For charts with more than one metric:
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Bar and stacked bar charts that include more than one metric: click the Horizontal axis dropdown to apply settings to All axes, Top axis, or Bottom axis. For Top or Bottom, assign specific metrics to the axis.
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Line charts and combination charts that include more than one metric: click the Vertical axis dropdown to apply settings to All axes, Right axis, or Left axis. For Right or Left, assign specific metrics to the axis.
Range
Choose a range for the selected axis:
- Include zero - makes it easier to read overall values in context
- Adaptive - collapses the axis to a floor above zero; better for seeing changes in large numbers
Note: Not applicable to 100% stacked column and area charts.
Goals
Display goal targets on your visualization. Learn more about adding goals to metrics.
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Auto-show compatible goals enabled: Compatible goals display automatically when visualization settings match.
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Auto-show compatible goals disabled: Check the box beside each goal you want to display.
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If a goal doesn't display: Hover over the
Info button to see why.
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Goal does not align with visualization settings: Click to open the dialog, then click Update visualization settings to show goal. Note: If you want to return to the previous visualization settings, you'll need to do so manually; settings won't auto-revert if you stop displaying the goal.
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Summary charts - maximum one goal at a time: If a summary chart has more than one goal, to display a different goal, click , then click Reorder goals to show this goal. You can also drag and drop goals to reorder them.
Goal options
Available for threshold or recurring target goals in bar/column charts:
- Highlight delta - visually emphasizes the difference between current values and goal targets
- Bullet chart style - displays the goal target as a solid line or continuous dashed line superimposed on each bar/column
Show as cumulative
For line charts: display data as a cumulative sequence to illustrate growth over the selected date range.
- Available for custom metrics with "override aggregation" enabled
- Not available for instant metrics, dbt™ Semantic Layer metrics, or metrics with aggregation set to average, count rows, max, or min
- Cannot be combined with Normal range or Forecast analysis
Comparison
Compare your data to another time period: previous period, same period last year, or a custom offset period.
How comparisons display by chart type:
- Line and area charts: comparative period shown as a lighter-coloured dashed line
- Bar and column charts: comparative period shown as lighter-coloured bars/columns
- Tables and summary charts: choose to display percentage change, value change (delta), or a comparison value. green = positive trend, red = negative trend
- For tables, comparative data displays in a fixed column beside the value it's being compared to
- For list and pivot tables, you can also show comparisons for goal values and percentage of row or column total
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Summary charts: comparative data displays below the current value
Comparison rules and limitations:
- Comparisons are made between equivalent time period types (e.g., "Today" compares to "Yesterday")
- Not available when the date range is set to Auto or Maximum date range
- Not applicable to segmented line charts or stacked bar/column charts. To see comparisons, set segmentation to "None" and ensure dates display on the x-axis
- When comparing a partial period, the comparison covers the equivalent partial portion of the previous period. For example, if you're halfway through a month and compare to the previous month, your metric is compared to the same period of the previous month. An asterisk (*) after a value indicates the comparison period is incomplete.
- The visualization shows "--" when there's no difference in values, no comparable data, or the date range doesn't support comparison
- If a legend is shown, the comparative period displays as the last item and can be toggled to show/hide by clicking its name
Analyses
Overlay analytical models on your data to identify trends, outliers, and forecasts.
- No analysis - shows current data with no overlay
- Linear trend - adds a straight trend line showing the general data direction
- Moving average - smooths fluctuating data
- Normal range - highlights outliers (values outside expected range). Outliers display as red (below normal) and green (above normal), based on the metric's favourable trend setting. Learn more about normal range analysis.
- Forecast - predicts future metric performance. The forecast data is added to the horizontal axis title and a shaded cone-shaped area and dotted line are added to the chart. Learn more about forecast analysis.
Note: Normal range and forecast are advanced features — availability depends on your pricing plan.
Analysis compatibility:
- Linear trend and Moving average: Applicable to bar, column, and line/area charts (not stacked variations). Metrics that don't have multiple time values will default to bar charts. Dates must be on the x-axis (or y-axis for horizontal bar charts).
- Normal range: Applicable to unsegmented, non-cumulative bar and line charts with time on the x-axis (or y-axis for horizontal bar charts). Not available with "Show as cumulative".
- Forecast: Applicable to unsegmented, non-cumulative line charts with time on the x-axis. Not available with "Show as cumulative".
Sort
Sort options vary by chart type, for example:
- Stacked area charts: sort x-axis and legend items
- Pie charts: sort slice order
- Pivot tables: sort rows and columns
- List and pivot tables: sort dynamically by clicking column headers in the visualization
To restore the original data order after sorting, re-select your previously chosen sort options.
Note: Sorting is not available for summary, scatter, or bubble charts, or tree maps. Ranked tables have built-in sorting.
How do I save my explored metrics?
Only one active exploration session exists at a time. To preserve an explored metric and its settings, add it to a dashboard.
- In Explorer, click the drop-down arrow on the Add to dashboard button and choose an existing dashboard or create a new one.
- On the dashboard, click Save.
How do I share my explored metrics?
Add your explored metrics to a dashboard (see above), then share from there. Dashboard sharing lets you grant edit or view-only access to recipients. Learn more about sharing metrics and dashboards.
You can also share a dynamic version of an explored metric externally as a live embed. Learn more about live embedding.
Frequently asked questions
How many metrics can I explore at a time in PowerMetrics Explorer?
You can load up to 5 metrics simultaneously in Explorer. Scatter, bubble, and combination charts are exceptions; they use a fixed number of metrics defined by their visualization type.
Will my changes in Explorer affect the original metric or other users?
No. Changes you make in Explorer are personal to you and never affect the shared metric, its data, or other users' views. If you want to change the metric for everyone, edit it from the Metric List or a dashboard instead. Learn more about editing metrics.
Are my Explorer settings saved between sessions?
Yes. Your Explorer choices persist and will be re-applied the next time you open Explorer. To start fresh, use Reset Explorer from the top bar or 3-dot menu.
How do I share my exploration with my team?
Add the explored metric to a dashboard using the Add to dashboard button, save it, then share the dashboard. You can grant edit or view-only access to recipients. For external sharing, use the live embed feature.
What chart types are available in PowerMetrics Explorer?
Explorer supports bar and column charts, line and area charts, pie and donut charts, tree maps, radar plots, waterfall charts, heat maps, summary charts, and tables (list, pivot, and ranked). Available chart styles depend on the selected chart type.
What's the difference between Explorer and a metric dashboard in PowerMetrics?
Explorer is a personal, temporary analysis workspace. Changes are yours alone and can be easily reset to start a new exploration. A dashboard is a saved, shareable collection of metric visualizations. Use Explorer to investigate and discover insights, then save to a dashboard to share them with others.
Can I export data from Explorer?
Yes. Use the Download as CSV option in the top bar (or 3-dot menu) to export the current visualization's data.
Who can access Explorer in PowerMetrics?
All roles can access Explorer. However, only Editors can add new metrics to Explorer, access data feeds, or edit metrics.