When I build reports in Looker Studio, I have two key goals in mind: make them fast, and make them easy to focus. A slow-loading report or one that presents too much data at once can quickly become frustrating and unhelpful. Especially when you need timely, relevant insights.
Here are the strategies I rely on to improve load time and keep my dashboards clean, responsive, and purposeful.
Speeding up my Looker Studio reports
Let’s face it, no one likes waiting for a dashboard to load. Over time, I’ve built up a go-to checklist to keep my reports fast and responsive:
1. Use the extract data connector
If I’m working with metrics over fixed periods, the Extract Data connector is a fantastic tool. It lets me store a subset of the data directly in Looker Studio, so the report doesn’t need to re-query the source every time it loads. There’s a 100MB cap and a scheduled refresh, but for many use cases, it’s a huge performance win.
2. Pre-aggregate data in the Source
This one is simple but powerful. Instead of sending raw, granular data to Looker Studio, I use my data warehouse (like BigQuery) to create summary tables or materialised views. Aggregating data before it reaches the report means Looker Studio has far less to process, which translates to much faster load times.
3. Limit data sources and charts
Every data source and chart adds processing time. I try to consolidate data sources and reduce the number of charts per page. If I have a data-heavy report, I spread the visuals across multiple pages rather than cramming everything onto one.
4. Adjust data freshness settings
Not every report needs real-time data. For those that don’t, I extend the refresh interval in the settings to avoid unnecessary data fetching. It’s a small tweak that can have a big impact on performance.
5. Simplify calculated fields and minimise blending
Complex calculated fields and extensive data blending can really slow things down. Where possible, I push calculations to the source using SQL, so Looker Studio can focus on displaying data rather than processing it.
6. Set default date ranges
Setting a default date range (like “last 7 days”) reduces the volume of data that loads initially. Users can still adjust the date as needed, but the report is quicker to load by default.
7. Use conditional formatting sparingly
Conditional formatting is visually helpful, but if overused, especially in large tables, it can affect performance. I use it only where it adds clear value, and often opt for simpler alternatives like heatmaps.
8. Remove unused elements
It’s easy for reports to collect clutter (old filters, data sources, or hidden charts). I regularly review and remove unused components to keep everything lean and efficient.
Focusing reports with filters
Speed is important, but so is clarity. That’s where filters come in. They let me tailor the data to specific use cases, audiences, or questions.
Here’s how I typically apply them:
1. Identify what to filter
Let’s say I want to focus only on English-language pages, which contain /en/ in the URL. I start by identifying the dimension I want to filter, usually something like Page URL or Page path.
2. Create the filter
I select the chart or component I want to filter, and click Add a Filter. Then I set the condition:
- Include →
Page URL→ Contains/en/
I give the filter a clear name—like “Only English Pages”—so it’s easy to reuse.
Visit the post on filters to learn how to create filter step by step in Looker Studio.
3. Choose the right filter level
Filters in Looker Studio can be applied at different scopes:
- Chart-level: Affects only one chart
- Page-level: Go to Page → Current Page Settings to apply to all charts on that page
- Report-level: Go to File → Report Settings → Report Filter to apply it across the entire report
This flexibility lets me target exactly the level of focus I need.
4. Double-check the Results
Especially with GA4 data, it’s worth verifying the filtered results against your source. I always make sure the data aligns with what I expect.
Final thoughts
Creating effective Looker Studio reports isn’t just about picking the right charts, it’s about building something that performs well and gives users exactly what they need, without distraction or delay.
By optimising performance and using filters strategically, I can deliver dashboards that are fast, focused, and genuinely useful. These techniques are a core part of how I work in Looker Studio, and they’ve saved me (and my clients) countless hours of waiting and confusion.