Getting started with Geckoboard
Welcome to Geckoboard! Our TV dashboards make key goals and metrics visible, easy to understand, and quick to act on.
In this article you'll learn how to connect data from all your everyday tools and systems, visualize the exact information you need, and share your metrics on a TV.
Before you start
If you haven't already, sign up for your free 30-day trial.
Connect your data
Geckoboard has pre-built integrations with over 60+ data sources, so you can connect quickly and securely to your everyday business tools – without coding. Each integration contains a comprehensive list of predefined metrics and visualizations, making things even easier to set up.
Click and use the Search sources field to find your data source. Alternatively, you can also scroll through the alphabetical list.
If you don’t see an integration for the service you need, or it doesn’t offer the metrics you’re looking for, you can also connect your own data via Spreadsheets, Databases, and our Datasets API.
Spreadsheets
Geckoboard securely pulls data from Google Sheets and Excel files stored on popular cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive for Business, and Dropbox.
Connect your Google Sheet to Geckoboard
Connect your Excel spreadsheet to Geckoboard
Databases
Connect your MySQL, PostgreSQL and Redshift SQL database to your Geckoboard account, enabling you to run queries to get the exact metrics you need.
Note
The connection between Geckoboard and your database will be encrypted, and we only accept connections from users that have read-only access to the database.
Your database must be set up to accept online connections, have SSL encryption enabled, and accept incoming connections from Geckoboard IP addresses.
Connect your SQL database to Geckoboard
Running your SQL query in Databases
Getting data from your SQL database without Databases
Datasets
Send any other data from in-house systems and third party tools with this flexible solution for developers. We have a range of tutorials and resources to help developers use the Datasets API, and get the exact metrics they need.
Getting started with the Datasets API
Get help
If you're unsure about the best way to connect your data, you can contact our support team Monday to Friday, whatever your time zone.
Visualize your metrics
Once you're connected, you can start adding a metric your team needs to keep an eye on.
Introducing dashboard widgets
Widgets are the building blocks of your dashboard and visualize the data you pull in from our integrations. Widgets come in the form of simple text, figures, graphs, maps, and everything in between. A typical dashboard may include several widgets that pull in data from several integrations.
After you've added your first widget, you can start building your dashboard up, adding more of the metrics you care about.
Filter your data to show exactly what you want, change the visualization type, resize and group widgets to show how they're related, and move things around to affect your team's priorities and draw attention to the metrics that matter.
You can also give the metrics context, set goals to show your team's progress over time, and call out a specific number if it's performing poorly or exceeding expectations.
Whatever you need your team to see, Geckoboard lets you tailor a meaningful and engaging dashboard that's exactly how you want it.
How to design and build a great dashboard
Dashboard examples from companies like yours
Share your metrics on a TV
When you're happy with your dashboard it's time to get it on a large TV to make your key metrics visible and accessible. You just need to turn your TV into a Geckoboard-ready screen using a spare PC, Smart TV browser, or a range of off-the-shelf devices.
Display your dashboard on a TV: our guide and recommended devices
Where to position your TV dashboard: a guide
Wall mounting your TV dashboard: a guide
Once you're all set up, you can quickly and securely pair your Geckoboard account with your TV using by clicking at the top of your dashboard. Then you’ll be able to instantly swap dashboards and rearrange things remotely from your laptop.
Display your dashboard on a TV using Send to TV
And that's it! You now have a TV that everyone can understand at a glance, that refreshes in real-time, and it's easy to edit and swap out as things change.
Tip: use sharing links to take your dashboard further
Easily share your dashboards with stakeholders and remote team members using temporary sharing links.
Suggested next steps
Customize your new dashboard
Geckoboard provides a selection of standard dashboard themes, carefully designed with clear colors and contrast. You also have the option, depending on your plan, to choose your own background and widget colors and display your logo in the footer so that it’s consistent with your company's branding.
Create additional user accounts
Create accounts for your coworkers so they can view your new dashboard remotely and build their own dashboards.
Invite people to view or edit dashboards
Learn best practices
Stay on top of the Geckoboard best practice you can use to design and build great dashboards with Geckoboard.
Pick up tips & tricks
We've gathered some tips and tools for Geckoboard beginners and experts alike.