How to use Looker Studio responsive layout with Google Analytics 4 data

The Looker Studio responsive layout is one of the most exciting updates to hit the platform recently, making it easier than ever to design dashboards that work seamlessly across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. As someone who’s been building dashboards for years, I can say this update is a game-changer. Especially when using a powerful data source like Google Analytics 4 (GA4).

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Looker Studio responsive layout, from what it is and how it works, to a practical example using GA4. Let’s dive in.

What is the Looker Studio responsive layout?

Previously, most dashboards in Looker Studio used a free-form layout, meaning you could drag elements anywhere on the canvas. This gave you design freedom but often caused formatting issues on smaller screens. The new Looker Studio responsive layout solves that by introducing a fluid, section-based design approach.

Here’s how it works:

• Sections replace canvas pages: Instead of one large fixed-size canvas, your report is now built in vertical sections.
• 12-column grid system: Each section uses a 12-column layout, which automatically resizes based on screen width.
• Automatic responsiveness: Your dashboard adapts to any screen (desktop, tablet, or mobile) without creating multiple versions.
• In-line layout: Charts and controls are placed in line, so stacking is cleaner and more structured.
• Section-level filters: You can now add filters that only apply to one section.

It’s a cleaner, smarter way to design dashboards! Especially if your audience views them on the go.

Step-by-Step: Creating a responsive dashboard using Google Analytics 4

Let’s walk through a real example using Google Analytics 4 data to create a mobile-friendly dashboard using the Looker Studio responsive layout.

Step 1: Start a new report and connect your Google Analytics 4 property

When you create a new report, you’ll be prompted to select your data source.

1. Click Add data > Google Analytics.
2. Select your GA4 account and choose a property.
3. Click Add to Report.

Once added, your GA4 data is ready to use across all your visualisations.

Step 1: Choose the responsive layout

Once the data source has been added, you’ll be asked to choose between the Freeform and Responsive layouts.
👉 Select Responsive layout to get started with the new flexible format.

Step 3: Add sections and structure your report

1. Your report begins with a default section.

2. Click the + icon at the top or bottom of a section to add more.

3. Each section will follow the 12-column grid, ensuring everything aligns and resizes cleanly.

💡 Tip: Think of each section as a scene in your data story. Group related insights together for clarity.

Step 4: Insert the first charts

Now let’s visualise some GA4 data.

To add charts, you can click on Add chart in the middle of the empty section, or use the top menu as you’d do in a freeform report.

Section 1 – Scorecards for KPIs

Add 4 scorecards with the following metrics:

• Total users
• New users
• Transactions
• Purchase Conversion Rate

To add more than one chart in one section, you can right click the initial scorecard and select Duplicate.

If you choose a new chart in the Add chart menu, it will be created in a new section. To move it to the first section, you can simply drag it and drop it in the one you want it.

You can also use the menu on the right of the section to add charts, controls or open the style menu.

Step 5: Add controls for Interactivity

Interactive controls are essential for helping viewers explore data on their own terms. In the Looker Studio responsive layout, it’s best to place controls in the top section of your dashboard, typically right next to the date range control.

Here’s how to do it:

Date range control

When creating a responsive report in Looker Studio with GA4 data, a date range control will be added to the header.

Add a drop-down list for First user default channel group

1. Click Add a control > Drop-down list.
2. Place it next to the date range control (in the header).
3. In the setup panel on the right, set the Dimension to First user default channel group.
4. Resize the control to fit nicely.

Add a Text Input for Page Path filtering

1. Click Add a control > Input box.
2. Place it beside the previous controls.
3. Set the Dimension to Page path + query string or simply Page path, depending on your GA4 setup.
4. Resize as needed to fit alongside the other controls.

💡 Tip: Controls align horizontally in the same section, so be mindful of spacing and grid columns to avoid wrapping on smaller screens.

👉 How to resize charts within a section

The Looker Studio responsive layout uses a 12-column grid per section. When adding multiple charts (or scorecards) to a section, each chart must be sized relative to that grid.

Here’s how to resize scorecards to fit perfectly:

• If you want 4 scorecards to fill the entire width, each one should occupy 3 columns (3 × 4 = 12).
• Click on a scorecard, and resize it by manually by dragging the edges of each component.
• Arrange them side by side in the section. The layout will snap them into the grid.
• On smaller screens, they’ll automatically stack or resize based on screen size.

🎯 This is what makes the Looker Studio responsive layout so powerful. You design once, and it adapts everywhere.

Step 6: Add more sections and charts

Once your initial KPIs and filters are in place, you can continue building your dashboard by adding new sections.

Section 2: First user default channel group trends

Click on Add chart > Line > Line chart. This will create a line chart in a new section.

• Metric: Total Users
• Dimension: Date (Optional: change the data type to Month or ISO Year Week by selecting the calendar icon on the left of the dimension’s name in the chart’s setup)
• Breakdown dimension: First user default channel group
• Adjust width to fill most of the section for better visibility.

Section 3: Countries, device categories and pages

This time click on Add chart > Bar > Horizontal bar chart to create the chart in a new section.

• Chart type: Horizontal bar chart
• Metric: Total Users
• Dimension: Country
• You can add a title to this and the other charts from the visualisation’s Style options

Select Add chart from the menu on the right side of the section, so it creates the new chart inside the section.

• Chart type: Vertical bar chart
• Metric: Total Users
• Dimension: Device category

Again, add chart from the menu on the right side of the section.

• Chart type: Table
• Metric: Total Users
• Dimension: Page path + query string

Previewing the dashboard on different devices

Click the dropdown on the View button, in the top-right corner of the dashboard, to preview your report on different screens.

• Desktop: Layout remains in full 12-column width.
• Tablet: Charts stack neatly, maintaining readability.
• Mobile: Grid compresses to 2 columns, prioritising usability.

This is where the Looker Studio responsive layout truly shines. Without touching a thing, your design works across all devices.

Tips for success with Looker Studio responsive layout

• Use fewer charts per section: This helps readability, especially on mobile.
• Avoid complex cross-filtering: Mobile devices may not render interactive filters smoothly.
• Use scorecards and tables: These adapt better than wide charts on smaller screens.
• Check all views: Always preview your dashboard in desktop, tablet, and mobile modes.

Known limitations of the responsive layout

Although this feature is a big improvement, it’s not without flaws:

• No support for fixed headers or footers.
• Report-level elements (like a persistent logo) can’t span across all pages.
• Limited formatting flexibility compared to freeform layout.
• You can’t overlay elements or add decorative lines.

That said, it’s still evolving, and Google is actively improving it.

Why the responsive layout matters

The shift to responsive design is more than just a visual upgrade. It reflects how we now consume data; on phones during the school run, tablets during meetings, or desktops in the office.

With the Looker Studio responsive layout, your GA4 dashboards can now meet people where they are, without sacrificing quality or readability.

Final thoughts

Whether you’re building dashboards for clients or internal stakeholders, the Looker Studio responsive layout ensures your reports are mobile-friendly, user-focused, and flexible. With structured sections, grid-based resizing, and powerful GA4 data, you can create insightful, interactive reports faster than ever before.

The dimensions and metrics used in this post are just examples to demonstrate how to create a responsive dashboard. In real-life scenarios, your choices should always reflect the specific goals and context of the website you’re analysing, whether that’s measuring ecommerce conversions, content engagement, or lead generation.

So go ahead! Experiment with layouts, test chart types, and build dashboards that work beautifully on every device.

FAQs about Looker Studio responsive layout