Retool

How to Build a Dashboard with Retool

Create powerful internal dashboards by connecting directly to your databases and APIs with Retool

Intermediate
2-4 hours

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following ready.

Retool account
Database or API access
SQL knowledge helpful

What You Will Build

An enterprise-grade dashboard with database queries, charts, and admin controls

Key Features

Direct database connection
Pre-built components
Query editor
User permissions
Scheduled refreshes

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Follow these steps to build your with Retool.

1

Connect your data source

Link Retool to your database, API, or spreadsheet

2

Write your queries

Create SQL or API queries to fetch your dashboard data

3

Build the interface

Drag and drop charts, tables, and metric components

4

Add interactivity

Connect filters and buttons to your queries

5

Set permissions

Configure user access and sharing settings

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing inefficient queries
Not using parameterised queries
Exposing sensitive data

Next Steps

Once you have completed this tutorial, consider these enhancements.

Add scheduled reports
Create write-back functionality
Build related admin tools

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