Dashboard vs. Report Metrics
Understand the difference between dashboard KPI cards and the detailed reporting module, and when to use each.
What this guide covers
This guide clarifies the difference between the dashboard and the reporting module. You will learn what each is designed for, why the numbers may look different, and when to use one over the other.
The dashboard at a glance
The /dashboard page is your daily command center. It shows real-time
KPI cards with headline numbers:
- Revenue today -- invoiced revenue for the current day.
- Jobs scheduled -- how many jobs are on today's schedule.
- Outstanding balance -- total unpaid invoices across all time.
- Upcoming jobs -- jobs scheduled for the next 7 days.
The dashboard is designed for a quick pulse check. It answers "how are things right now?"
Screenshot: The dashboard page showing four KPI cards: Revenue Today, Jobs Scheduled, Outstanding Balance, and Upcoming Jobs.
The reporting module in depth
The /reporting page is your analysis tool. It supports date range
filters, detailed tables, charts, exports, and drill-downs. Reports
answer "how did things go over a period of time?"
Key differences from the dashboard:
| Feature | Dashboard | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Date range | Fixed (today/week) | Fully customizable |
| Data granularity | Summary cards | Row-level detail |
| Charts | Sparklines only | Full interactive |
| Export | Not available | CSV export |
| Drill-down | Links to pages | In-report filtering |
Animation: Switching from the dashboard view to the reporting module, showing how the same revenue number expands into a detailed chart and table.
Why numbers may differ
The dashboard and reports use different default time windows. The dashboard's "Revenue" card may show today's total, while the reporting page defaults to the current month. Always check the date range when comparing numbers between the two.
Tip: When presenting numbers in a meeting, always use the reporting module with an explicit date range. This ensures everyone is looking at the same time window.
When to use each
- Dashboard -- start your day here. Glance at the KPIs to see if anything needs immediate attention.
- Reports -- use for weekly reviews, monthly summaries, team meetings, accountant exports, and trend analysis.
Best practices
- Do not compare dashboard numbers to report numbers without confirming the date ranges match.
- Bookmark your most-used report view with the date range preset in the URL for quick access.
- Use the dashboard for alerts and the reporting module for decisions.
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