Summary: The Data Explorer is Alta's chart builder — pick a data source, choose a visualization, refine it with filters, and save the result as a widget on a dashboard.

Who this is for: Anyone who wants to build a custom chart, table, or KPI widget from their Alta data.

Before you start

You need at least one connected data source with a metric or model available. If you haven't connected data yet, start with a Connector (see Related below).
To add your chart to a dashboard, you need permission to add widgets to that dashboard. Dashboards you can't edit won't appear in the dashboard picker.

Open the Data Explorer

In the left sidebar, open the Explore section and click Data Explorer.
A blank explore opens with the settings panel on the right.

Step 1 — Choose a data source

In the settings panel, click the Data source field (Choose data source).
The picker has two groups on the left: Metrics (pre-defined measures) and Models (raw entities you can slice freely). Pick the group, then select an item. You can also type to search.
Hover over any option to preview its details, including which sources feed it.

Step 2 — Pick a visualization

In the Visualization dropdown, choose how to display the data. The Data Explorer supports tables, pivot tables, line and bar charts, pie charts, funnels, gauges, single values, trends, Sankey diagrams, cohorts, timelines, waterfalls, and bubble charts.
The editor below the dropdown changes with your choice — this is where you set the series, axes, breakdowns, and display options for that chart type.

Step 3 — Filter and refine

Use the date filter in the toolbar to limit the time range. Click the calendar Settings button next to it to change which date field the filter uses.
Click Filters to add field-level conditions. The button is disabled until you've selected a data source. Build your rules in the popover, then apply them.
The chart re-runs automatically whenever you change fields, filters, sorting, or limits. Click Refresh in the toolbar to re-run it manually at any time.
For Table visualizations, an extra conditional formatting option appears in the toolbar so you can color-code values (see Related below).

Step 4 — Save your work

Click Save in the toolbar. The Save Visualization dialog opens.
Enter a Name (required) and an optional Description (up to 250 characters).
Under Dashboard, choose the dashboard where the widget should live (Choose dashboard).
Optionally toggle Save to your account's marketplace to publish the widget to your internal marketplace so teammates can reuse it.
Click Save. You'll be redirected to the saved explore, and the widget appears on the dashboard you selected.

After the first save, the Save button gains a dropdown with Save widget (update in place) and Save as new widget (create a copy). Save as new widget is only available after the initial save.

Tips and common pitfalls

"Required fields are missing" when saving: a new visualization must either be added to a dashboard or published to the marketplace — pick a dashboard or turn on the marketplace toggle.
Filters button grayed out: select a data source first — filters are based on the fields of the chosen metric or model.
Unsaved changes: if you navigate away with unsaved edits, Alta asks you to confirm before leaving so you don't lose work.
Missing dashboards in the picker: you only see dashboards where you have permission to add widgets. Ask the dashboard owner for access if one is missing.
You can also land in the Data Explorer with a chart pre-loaded — for example from an Insight's Explore action or a chart Luna builds in chat — and then refine and save it the same way.