📌 Summary

Drill downs let you move from high-level metrics to more detailed views of your data. Dimensions are the key that make this possible: they define the categories, groupings, or attributes that you can use to “slice” your data. For example, you might drill down from Total Revenue into Revenue by Region, or from Student Participation into Participation by Grade Level.

When used correctly, dimensions help you uncover the “why” behind a metric, guiding you from surface insights into deeper, actionable understanding.

🔑 Key Concepts

• Start with a metric. Choose a top-level measure (e.g., Revenue, Headcount, Participation).
• Select a dimension to expand. Pick the category you want to break down the metric by (e.g., Region, Department, Grade Level, Time).
• View the next level of detail. The system displays the measure organized by the selected dimension.
• Repeat as needed. Drill down further by layering on additional dimensions until you’ve reached the level of granularity you need.

🔎 Example Use Cases

• Finance: Start with Total Expenses → Drill down by Business Unit → Then by Expense Type.
• Education: Start with Student Work-Based Learning Participation → Drill down by Grade Level → Then by Program Type.
• Operations: Start with Customer Support Tickets → Drill down by Region → Then by Issue Category.

💡 Best Practices

• Choose dimensions that matter: Select attributes aligned with your business questions.
• Avoid over-drilling: Too many levels can create noise instead of clarity.
• Combine dimensions with filters: Narrow the scope of your drill downs to focus on specific time frames, locations, or groups.
• Use default dimensions wisely: Many metrics come with pre-mapped dimensions—leverage them to ensure consistency across reports.

⚡️ Key Takeaways

• Dimensions turn drill downs into a powerful exploration tool.
• They help you answer follow-up questions without creating a brand-new report.