L2L Analytics: Creating a Chart

Last updated: October 14, 2026

Charts are the building blocks of L2L Analytics dashboards. Each chart turns a set of L2L data into a visual you can use to spot trends, compare performance, and track your KPIs. This article explains the two ways to start a new chart: from a saved dataset, or from a SQL query.

Overview

You can begin a chart from either of these starting points:

  • A saved dataset. Best when the data you need has already been set up as a dataset.

  • A SQL Lab query. Best for ad-hoc exploration, or when you need to define custom metrics that are not in an existing dataset.

Both methods end in the same place, the Chart Builder page, where you configure how the chart looks and what it shows.

Prerequisites & Preparation

  • Required Permissions: Your L2L Analytics role determines which method you can use. Creating a chart from a saved dataset requires the Limited Creator role or higher. Creating a chart from a SQL query requires the Primary Creator role or higher.

  • Dependency: To use the dataset method, the dataset you want to chart must already exist. To use the SQL method, you need access to the data source you want to query.

If you are not sure which role you have, or need it changed, see How to update Roles in L2L Analytics.

Step-by-Step Configuration

Method 1: Create a chart from a dataset

  1. Navigate to the Menu: In the top navigation bar, click the plus icon (+).

  2. Start a Chart: From the dropdown menu, select Chart. The Create a new chart screen opens.

The plus icon menu in the top navigation bar with Chart selected

  1. Choose a Dataset: In the Choose a Dataset field, click the dropdown arrow and select your dataset.

The Create a new chart screen with the Choose a dataset dropdown open

  1. Choose a Chart Type: Select a chart type from the gallery. Chart types marked FEATURED are the recommended place to start.

  2. Create the Chart: Click Create new chart. The Chart Builder page opens.

The chart type gallery with a chart type selected and the Create new chart button

  1. Configure the Chart: Drag entries from the Metrics and Columns panel into the Configuration panel next to it.

Note: You can change the chart type later from the Data tab, so you do not need to get it right the first time.

Method 2: Create a chart from a SQL query

  1. Navigate to the Menu: Hover over the plus icon (+) in the top right corner.

  2. Open SQL Lab: From the dropdown menu, select SQL Query.

The plus icon menu in the top navigation bar with SQL query selected

  1. Select a Data Source: Choose the data source you want to query from the left-hand panel.

  2. Enter Your Query: Type your SQL query into the text box.

  3. Run the Query: Click Run. The Create Chart button appears once the query runs.

SQL Lab with a data source selected, a query entered, and the Run button highlighted

  1. Create the Chart: After the query completes successfully, click Create Chart. The Chart Builder page opens.

SQL Lab query results with the Create Chart button highlighted

  1. Configure the Chart: Drag entries from the Metrics and Columns panel into the Configuration panel.

The Chart Builder page showing the Metrics and Columns panel, the Configuration panel, and the chart preview

Next Steps

  • Learn more about configuring your chart in the Chart Builder.

  • Review chart walkthroughs for example implementations.

  • Add your finished chart to a dashboard to combine it with related charts.

Reminder: L2L Analytics data refreshes daily at 7 AM UTC. For up-to-the-minute data, use the reports available within L2L.