By creating an automation using Zapier you can post new data to a dataset created in Geckoboard, before using that dataset to power a new widget on your dashboard.
How Geckoboard and Zapier work together
In Geckoboard, you can create datasets, which are essentially like big tables/spreadsheets. Our Zapier integration enables you to add new rows to those datasets. You can then build widgets using those datasets.
To demonstrate this process, we'll be using Airtable to provide the data for our dataset. Our table records the sales of apples and pears and their shipping date.
Looking to connect your Airtable data to Geckoboard? Try our pre-built Airtable data source.
In this article we'll show you how to:
Step 1: Create a new dataset in Geckoboard
Click Add widget, located in the top right of your dashboard, then search for Datasets using the Search sources field.
Click on the Datasets data source. From the connection panel, click Create new dataset at the bottom of the list.
Before we define the structure of our dataset, first give it a name. Make sure to keep to lowercase letters, digits and no spaces. We don't support unicode characters in dataset or field names.
Now we'll add the schema fields that describe the columns that will make up our dataset. There are 7 different types of fields: string, number, money, percentage, date, datetime, and duration. Learn more about what data and format each field type can accept.
In our example, these fields will correspond to each column in our Airtable spreadsheet.
As you name each field its ID will be automatically generated. If you require empty/null fields, tick the Allow to be empty checkbox. If one or more fields make up a unique key, like our
Order IDfield, tick the Add to unique key checkbox. Learn more about using empty/null and unique key fields.
Also, consider the type of visualization you'd like to build with your dataset. Some visualization types require specific field types.
When you've added and configured all the fields for your dataset, click Create dataset. With your dataset created, we'll switch to Zapier to connect our new dataset to a Zap.
Step 2: Create a Zap that connects Airtable to your dataset
We'll make a new Zap in Zapier that connects both your Airtable and Geckoboard accounts, before linking it to your new dataset.
Make a new Zap in Zapier. In the first Trigger step, search for and select the app that will trigger the Zap. As we're using Airtable for our example, we'll search for and select Airtable.
Next, we'll set up our trigger event. From the drop-down list, select New record.
If you already have Airtable connected to Zapier, select it from the account menu. If not, click + Connect a new account and follow the instructions. Once a connection is selected, click Continue.
Locate the Airtable spreadsheet you want to use by using the Base and Table select menus.
Click Test trigger. Zapier will attempt to find a row from your spreadsheet to use in the Zap.
With your trigger now set up, we'll now add an action to your Zap. Actions are events your Zap performs when your trigger event occurs. Search for and select Geckoboard.
Click the Action Event drop-down list and select Add Record to Dataset. Then, click Continue.
If you already have your Geckoboard connected to Zapier select it from the account list. If not, click + Connect a new account and follow the instructions. You'll need to access your Geckoboard API key. Once a connection is selected, click Continue.
Under Dataset ID, select your new dataset.
You'll now see all the schema fields for your dataset. Click each one and select the corresponding field from your Airtable spreadsheet.
The Update Type dropdown menu is set to Add to existing records (Post) by default. If you've added fields to a unique key, this can be used to modify existing records in case their values have changed since your last update or if you want to fix an incorrect record.
Click Test & Continue. In this test Zapier will attempt to send a record to your dataset.
Click Turn on Zap.
Next, we'll return to Geckoboard to add a dashboard widget powered by our dataset.
Step 3: Add a new dataset widget in Geckoboard
In Geckoboard, click See dataset and select your new dataset from the list to start configuring your widget.
Now you can configure your widget by selecting your visualization type, add status indicators for number and gauge visualizations, comparison metrics, goals, and any additional formatting information about the data being displayed.
Datasets default to a line chart, however if your dataset does not contain date or datetime fields you won't see a line chart. You'll need to select another visualization type.
To see a preview of your original dataset from the dataset options menu in the navigation bar.
You'll also see a preview of the widget as you configure it. For more on configuring datasets widgets, see create visualizations from datasets.
When your widget is ready, click Add to dashboard.
Finally, we'll switch to Airtable to add a new row of data to our spreadsheet to post new data to our dataset.
Step 4: Post new data to your dataset via Airtable
In Airtable, we'll load our spreadsheet and add a new row of data.
Our new Zap will now post that new data to our dataset. Datasets widgets refresh automatically every 5 minutes, so you'll shortly see your new data added to your widget.