Before You Start

This guide assumes you have a Google account, administrator access to your QBO/Xero data, and familiarity with basic spreadsheet functions and data connectors.

Overview

60 min
Setup Time
Advanced
Difficulty
Monthly
Maintenance

What You’ll Learn

  • How to connect financial data (QBO/Xero) to Looker Studio
  • Designing effective KPI dashboards for various stakeholders
  • Utilizing calculated fields and blended data sources
  • Automating reporting schedules and data refreshes
  • Troubleshooting common data connection issues

1. Preparation Steps

Before building your dashboard, ensure these foundations are in place:

Required Items

  • Google Account (for Looker Studio access)
  • QuickBooks Online or Xero Administrator Access
  • Clear understanding of your key financial KPIs

Optional (but recommended)

  • Google Sheets (for data blending or interim steps)
  • Access to Google Analytics or CRM data (for integrated views)
  • BigQuery account (for large datasets, beyond basic scope)

2. Choosing Your Data Connector

You have several ways to get your data into Looker Studio.

Method A: Native Connectors (QBO/Xero Direct)

These are direct integrations provided by Looker Studio or the accounting platform.

Pros:
  • It’s free.
  • Real-time data synchronization.
  • Simple setup for basic reports.
Cons:
  • Limited to direct fields.
  • No custom calculations within the connector.
  • Can be hard to combine data sources.

Method B: Third-Party Connectors (Supermetrics, Fivetran, etc.)

These are paid apps that offer far more control and data transformation capabilities.

Expert Tip: For robust, multi-source financial dashboards with advanced transformations, we strongly recommend using a third-party data integration tool. These tools normalize your data, making it easier to consume in Looker Studio and enabling richer insights.

3. Step-by-Step: Building Your Dashboard

Here is the high-level workflow for creating a dynamic financial dashboard.

Here is a sample code block to show how a Looker Studio data source configuration might look.

{
  "data_source_id": "qbo_profit_loss_summary",
  "connector_id": "community-connector-quickbooks-online", // Placeholder for actual connector
  "fields": [
    {"name": "Date", "type": "DATE", "description": "Transaction Date"},
    {"name": "Account", "type": "TEXT", "description": "QuickBooks Account Name"},
    {"name": "Amount", "type": "NUMBER", "aggregation": "SUM", "description": "Transaction Amount"}
  ],
  "refresh_interval": "hourly"
}

4. Designing Your Dashboard

  1. 1

    Define Your Audience & KPIs

    Understand who your dashboard is for (e.g., C-suite, sales team) and what key performance indicators (KPIs) they need to see at a glance.

  2. 2

    Choose Appropriate Visualizations

    Select the best chart types (scorecards for totals, bar charts for comparisons, line charts for trends, tables for detailed data) for each KPI to ensure clarity and impact.

  3. 3

    Layout and Interactivity

    Arrange elements logically on the canvas. Add filters, date range selectors, and drill-down capabilities to allow users to explore the data dynamically.

Common Error: Inconsistent Data Types

Ensure all linked data sources have consistent date formats and numerical types. Mismatched types can lead to calculation errors, broken visualizations, or unexpected results.

5. Testing & Sharing Your Dashboard

Dashboard Validation Checklist

  • Verify all data connections are active and refreshing as scheduled
  • Cross-check KPI calculations against source reports (QBO/Xero)
  • Test dashboard filters, date ranges, and drill-down functionalities
  • Share with a small test group for feedback and usability review

Need Help?

Get Support

Having trouble connecting your data or designing the perfect dashboard? Our team can help customize your financial reporting.

Contact Us