Deep dive into Qlik and learn more about the benefit of layout containers
- by Michiel Hofsteenge
Qlik is a great Data & Analytics solution that allows organizations to better understand and target performance. As a Qlik consultant I like to share my knowledge about the possibilities and content of Qlik. I do this in my blogs. My name is Michiel Hofsteenge, consultant at 2Foqus and Qlik Cloud fanatic.
Introducing Qlik layout container
In case you remember what it's like to work with Qlikview, a long-held wish recently came true. The fixed grid you had to place objects in caused quite a bit of frustration for die-hard dashboard builders. But there is good news! Just before the turn of the year, Qlik released a new update that fixes this problem. The layout container has seen the light of day.
Layout containers as building blocks of dashboards
Layout containers in Qlik are like the building blocks of a dashboard. They serve as frames in which objects such as charts, tables and filters can be placed and organized. This container allows you to organize elements in a structured and intuitive way, allowing users to easily navigate through the information. The big advantage of these containers is that you can now place objects on top of each other.
Containers provide flexibility in designing dashboards. Users can configure containers in different ways, such as horizontally, vertically or in a grid layout, depending on their specific needs and preferences.
In addition to functionality, layout containers also contribute to the visual appeal of a dashboard. By arranging objects in a balanced and responsible way, users can more easily identify and understand the most important information.
Visually appealing navigation and dashboards
To give an idea of the possibilities of layout containers, here is a nice example of a visually appealing navigation and dashboard inspired by start of the new Formula One season.
How do layout containers work?
Creating a layout container is simple and complex at the same time. An sich the object does not amount to much. You go to the extensions, drag a layout container on the screen, and within it you get the opportunity to define new objects. Then you can adjust the size and position of the container to achieve an optimal design.
The complexity is in shaping and styling the object. Because suddenly a world opens up in terms of styling, this is also immediately a major pitfall. Therefore, carefully consider in advance which use case you want to realize. After all, using the layout container can also have several disadvantages.
Practical example for use layout container
Layout containers are ideal for bringing up screens that you don't want to have on the screen by default. Think of a menu for opening filters, an in-depth view of a chart or, for example, the information button on a chart.
Below is a simple example of a filter based on a layout container. With this new design of the filter, you have more space available to put other information. After all, you save the space that your filters used to take up. This new setup allows the filters to become much more extensive than they were before. With the added advantage that they are clearer. You immediately see what you select and what other options are available.
An option I recently came across on LinkedIn also appealed to me greatly. Someone had created an information button attached to a graph. When you pressed this button, a text object appeared over the graph with text and explanation about the graph. For example, it contained definitions that were active specifically for this purpose. It was very intuitive and immediately clear to an end user what to expect.
Disadvantage layout containers
Surely one disadvantage of layout containers is performance. When using multiple objects, the dashboard becomes significantly slower. Therefore, be careful not to use too many objects. But despite that, it is a very cool, new feature that we will certainly be very happy with.
Conclusion
Layout containers are an essential part of the design process in Qlik. They play a crucial role in creating effective dashboards. Dashboards that provide valuable insights and lead to better decisions. In short, the next time you get started with Qlik, don't forget to take advantage of layout containers for an optimal dashboard experience.
