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Metabase Data Analytics: Building Dashboards, Custom Queries, and DB Connections (Part 2)

Build interactive analytical dashboards, write custom SQL queries, and connect databases in Metabase.

Julio
· 1 min read

Analytics and Dashboard Design in Metabase

With Metabase installed, you can connect your operational databases and compile beautiful visual dashboards for your business metrics.

Connecting to PostgreSQL or MySQL

  1. Log in to Metabase and navigate to Admin settings > Databases > Add database.
  2. Input the connection parameters: database host, port, database name, username, and password.
  3. For remote databases, enable SSH Tunnel under connection details to establish secure database queries without exposing port 5432 or 3306 publicly.

Building Interactive Dashboards

  1. Click New > Dashboard.
  2. Select visual charts (bar graphs, line charts, pie charts) created from your data questions.
  3. Add Dashboard Filters (e.g., Date range, Category, Location) and map them to variables inside the database queries.

Setting Up Alerts (Metabase Pulses)

  • Configure SMTP settings in Metabase.
  • Set up automatic subscription schedules to send dashboard snapshots to Slack channels or email listboxes daily or weekly.