Looker Studio Basic Tutorial Cheat Sheet (2025 Guide) | Tech Verse Today

Looker Studio Basic Tutorial Cheat Sheet (2025 Guide)

Google’s Looker Studio, which used to be known as Google Data Studio, is a fantastic free tool for data visualization. It empowers users to craft interactive dashboards and insightful reports from a variety of data sources. Whether you’re just starting or aiming to enhance your reporting skills, this cheat sheet is here to guide you through the essentials in a straightforward manner.

What is Looker Studio? 

Looker Studio is a cloud-based platform for data visualization and business intelligence. It helps users transform raw data into clear, understandable reports and dashboards. Plus, it works seamlessly with tools like Google Sheets, BigQuery, Google Ads, GA4, and more.

Getting Started with Looker Studio  

Step 1: Sign in

Head over to: https://lookerstudio.google.com  

Log in using your Google account.  

Step 2: Create a New Report

• Click on “Blank Report.”  

• Choose a data source (like Google Sheets or Google Analytics)  

• Authorize access and hit “Add to Report  

Looker Studio Basic Terminology

Term	Definition
Data Source	The origin of your data (e.g., Google Sheets, GA4)
Dimension	A qualitative value (e.g., country, date)
Metric	A quantitative value (e.g., sessions, revenue)
Chart	A visual element like a table, bar, pie, or time series
Filter	Limits the data shown in the chart or report
Control	Interactive filters like dropdowns and date pickers

Common Chart Types

Chart Type	Use Case
Table	View raw data in rows and columns
Time Series	Track trends over time (e.g., traffic growth)
Bar Chart	Compare different categories visually
Pie Chart	Show percentage breakdowns
Scorecard	Display KPIs or totals (e.g., total sessions, total sales)

Must-Know Functions

Function	Purpose
CASE	Create conditional logic (like IF statements)
REGEXP_MATCH	Match text using regular expressions
DATETIME_DIFF	Calculate the difference between two dates
CONCAT	Combine two text fields
ROUND, ABS	Basic math functions for number formatting

Pro Tips 

• Use Filters Wisely: Implement report-level filters to avoid repeating them on every chart.  

• Style Cleanly: Keep your colors, fonts, and layout consistent for a polished dashboard.  

• Use Date Ranges: Incorporate a date filter control to let users interact with the data.  

• Use Blending Carefully: Only blend data when necessary to keep performance smooth.  

• Rename Fields: Make metrics and dimensions user-friendly by renaming them.  

Looker Studio Exporting and Sharing 

• Download PDF: Go to File > Download > PDF  

• Share Online: Click “Share” > Add emails or generate a link  

• Embed in Site: Navigate to File > Embed Report > Copy HTML code  

Diving into Looker Studio doesn’t have to feel daunting. With this cheat sheet, you can confidently explore, create, and share data dashboards for your team or clients. Once you’ve got the basics down, don’t hesitate to delve into calculated fields, advanced filters, and data blending for even deeper insights.

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