Looker Studio enhances Pivot Tables, adds 12 new partner connectors

Google this week announced updates to Looker Studio, its data visualization and business intelligence platform. The release introduces new functionality for pivot table charts and expands the platform's data integration capabilities with the addition of twelve new partner connectors. These enhancements aim to provide users with more powerful data analysis tools and broader access to diverse data sources.

According to the official Looker Studio release notes, the most notable improvement is the extension of conditional formatting capabilities to collapsed pivot table charts. This feature allows users to apply single color conditional formatting rules to pivot tables even when they are in a collapsed state. Conditional formatting is a powerful tool that enables data analysts and business users to quickly identify trends, outliers, or specific data points by automatically applying color-coding based on predefined rules.

Pivot tables are essential tools in data analysis, allowing users to reorganize and summarize large datasets quickly. The ability to apply conditional formatting to collapsed pivot tables enhances their utility by maintaining visual cues even when the table is not fully expanded. This feature can be particularly useful when dealing with large, complex datasets where maintaining an overview of key metrics is crucial.

The technical implementation of this feature builds upon Looker Studio's existing conditional formatting capabilities. Users can now set up rules that will apply to pivot table rows or columns regardless of their expanded or collapsed state. This consistency in visual representation helps maintain context and highlights important information even when viewing data at a higher level of aggregation.

In addition to the pivot table enhancement, Looker Studio has significantly expanded its ecosystem of data connectors. The platform added twelve new partner connectors to its Connector Gallery, broadening the range of data sources that users can integrate into their reports and dashboards. These new connectors span various industries and use cases, reflecting the diverse needs of Looker Studio's user base.

The newly added connectors include:

1. Adobe Commerce (Magento) by Supermetrics
2. CTM: Call Log by CallTrackingMetrics LLC
3. Piano Analytics by Catchr
4. ClickUp by Bay Leaf Digital
5. TikTok by Gladior B.V.
6. WooCommerce by Data Bloo
7. Apresenta.me by Apresenta.me
8. Semactic SEO Data by Semactic
9. Piwik PRO Analytics by Piwik PRO
10. Metrihub by Metrihub
11. Klaviyo by Power My Analytics
12. Similarweb website analysis by Similarweb

These additions bring a wealth of new data integration possibilities to Looker Studio users. For instance, the Adobe Commerce (Magento) connector allows e-commerce businesses to pull in detailed sales and inventory data, while the TikTok connector enables social media marketers to analyze performance metrics from the popular video-sharing platform. The Similarweb connector provides access to website traffic and engagement data, offering valuable insights for digital marketers and business strategists.

The diversity of these new connectors underscores Looker Studio's commitment to serving a wide range of industries and use cases. From e-commerce and digital marketing to project management and SEO, these integrations cater to various business needs and data analysis requirements.

Partner connectors play a crucial role in extending the functionality of data analysis platforms like Looker Studio. They are developed by third-party companies or individuals who have expertise in specific data sources or industries. By leveraging these partnerships, Looker Studio can rapidly expand its ecosystem, providing users with specialized connectors that often include pre-built reports and industry-specific metrics.

The process of integrating these new connectors into Looker Studio involves several technical steps. Users typically need to authenticate their accounts with the respective data sources, after which they can select the specific data tables or metrics they wish to import into Looker Studio. Once connected, the data can be refreshed automatically at set intervals, ensuring that reports and dashboards remain up-to-date.

It's worth noting that while these partner connectors greatly expand the data integration capabilities of Looker Studio, they may come with their own pricing models or usage limits. Users should consult the documentation for each connector to understand any associated costs or restrictions.

The release of these new features and connectors comes at a time when businesses are increasingly relying on data-driven decision-making. The ability to quickly analyze and visualize data from multiple sources has become critical for organizations across all sectors. Looker Studio's continuous improvement and expansion of its feature set and connector ecosystem demonstrate its commitment to meeting these evolving needs.

For existing Looker Studio users, these updates provide new opportunities to enhance their data analysis workflows. The expanded conditional formatting options for pivot tables allow for more nuanced data presentation, while the new connectors open up possibilities for integrating previously siloed data sources.

As data analysis tools continue to evolve, updates like these highlight the importance of staying current with the latest features and integration options. By regularly expanding its capabilities, Looker Studio aims to maintain its position as a versatile and powerful business intelligence platform in an increasingly data-centric business landscape.

Key facts from the Looker Studio August 22, 2024 update

• Conditional formatting can now be applied to collapsed pivot table charts
• Twelve new partner connectors were added to the Connector Gallery
• New connectors cover e-commerce, social media, SEO, and website analytics
• The update enhances data visualization capabilities and expands data integration options
• Partner connectors are developed by third-party companies with expertise in specific data sources
• The release reflects Looker Studio's commitment to serving diverse industries and use cases
• New features aim to improve data-driven decision-making capabilities for businesses