In this tutorial, we will show you how to create dashboards in Odoo, use Odoo tables and pivot tables, and make the most of Odoo analytics for fast and accurate data analysis. You will learn how to organize data, create a report in Odoo 18/19, and use Odoo Spreadsheet analytics for practical business reporting.
What is Odoo BI and how does analytics work in Odoo?
Odoo BI (Business Intelligence) is a built-in analytics tool of the Odoo ecosystem that combines reporting, spreadsheets, and dashboards in a single environment. It allows businesses to work with data directly in the ERP system, including analyzing metrics, building reports, and visualizing results without the need for third-party BI platforms.
Unlike traditional reporting, analytics in Odoo works with data in real time, using live connections to sales, finance, inventory, and other business process modules. This means that any changes in the system are immediately reflected in the system's reports and dashboards.
Understanding Odoo BI Reporting, Spreadsheets, and Dashboards
It is important to note that Odoo BI Reporting Spreadsheet Dashboard is a full-fledged data analysis tool that allows you to combine information from various sources and Odoo modules. You can then convert it into dynamic tables and interactive dashboards and adapt it to your business needs.
Odoo BI combines the familiar spreadsheet format with business analytics capabilities, allowing teams to work with data flexibly and intuitively, without complex technical settings.
In this guide, we explain:
- how to create spreadsheets in Odoo for effective reporting;
- how to build interactive dashboards to monitor key performance indicators;
- what step-by-step techniques to use for data visualization;
- how to combine pivot tables with dynamic formulas for deeper analysis.
By the end of this tutorial, you will clearly understand how to use Odoo BI to analyze, refine, and visualize data.
Why is Odoo BI important for effective reporting?
Odoo BI Reporting Spreadsheet Dashboard is a basic platform for companies seeking to build a transparent and manageable reporting system. It allows you to:
- combine data from spreadsheets and business modules into unified dashboards;
- use reporting tools that ensure accuracy and clarity of indicators;
- quickly visualize revenue dynamics, team performance, and key business trends.
In addition, the system uses pivot tables, measurements, formulas, and customizable templates that transform data into practical insights. Combined with a logically structured dashboard interface, this greatly simplifies the management decision-making process and makes analytics accessible not only to analysts but also to business users.
Learn more about Odoo and BI integration for up-to-date dashboards with team checklist
Configuring data in a spreadsheet
Before proceeding directly to creating a dashboard, it is important to prepare the source data correctly. The quality organization of raw data in tables is the foundation for effective reporting and stable operation of dashboards in Odoo. The cleaner and more structured the data, the more accurate and understandable the analytics will be.
Step 1. Organize data in tables
Start by opening Odoo Spreadsheet and loading the source data. Use a familiar table structure and immediately set up the basic fields that will be needed for analysis: dates, sales figures, financial and operational metrics.
The main actions at this stage are:
- Data import
Download information from various sources — CSV files, databases, or Odoo modules.
- Data cleaning
Check tables for missing values, duplicate rows, or errors using filters and basic editing tools.
- Table structuring
It is better to use short and familiar terms for column names — for example, Sales instead of Total Sales Amount. This will greatly simplify further work with KPIs and dashboards.
Step 2. Creating pivot tables
After preparing the tables, the next step is to create pivot tables, which play a key role in Odoo analytics.
To create a pivot table:
- Select the range of data you want to analyze.
- Add a pivot table using the corresponding function in Odoo Spreadsheet.
- Configure the fields — drag key indicators (e.g., Sales or Date) to the appropriate areas to generate summary metrics.
Using pivot tables makes dashboards more informative and allows you to quickly assess business performance.
Summary tables help you:
- summarize large data sets;
- analyze data in a structured and dynamic format;
- automatically calculate totals, averages, and the number of records;
- flexibly filter information and focus on the segments you need.
Step 3. Formulas and calculated fields
It's time to move on to formulas and calculated metrics. They are what transform static tables into live analytics.
Formulas in Odoo Spreadsheet allow you to:
- calculate averages, growth rates, and other KPIs;
- create dynamic metrics that update automatically;
- analyze trends and performance in greater depth.
For example, to get the average sales volume per transaction, simply divide the total sales amount by the number of transactions. If this formula is linked to a pivot table, all values will be updated automatically when the data changes.
Active formulas ensure that dashboards in Odoo always reflect the current state of the business, without manual recalculation of indicators.
We recommend to read Real-Time Data Is Setting a New Benchmark for Business Performance
Creating a dashboard: from concept to implementation
Creating an effective dashboard begins with understanding the structure and principles of data visualization and ends with the practical creation of an interactive panel based on your business data. In this section, we will combine a conceptual approach with practical implementation steps in Odoo BI.
Step 4: Dashboard preparation and design
The first stage is dedicated to choosing a template and planning visual elements:
- Choosing a dashboard template
Determine which dashboard style and structure best reflects your metrics. Odoo BI offers ready-made templates that can be adapted to your brand and key KPIs.
- Adding key visual components
Interactive charts, graphs, tables, and filters help transform raw data into understandable analytics. The right combination of elements ensures clarity and ease of perception.
- Data consistency and integration
Ensure that all dashboard elements are linked to relevant tables and data sources using Odoo BI's live connectors. This ensures that information is automatically updated in real time.
This step lays the foundation for a logical, clean, and user-friendly dashboard.
Step 5: Create and configure the dashboard
Once you have defined the concept, you can proceed to build the dashboard based on the data:
- Import data into Odoo BI
Download raw data from various sources, clean it, and check it for accuracy. Ensure that the tables contain key indicators of sales, team performance, and product categories.
- Creating a basic spreadsheet
Define columns for critical data, format them for readability, and add calculated fields for dynamic metrics.
- Pivot tables for summary analytics
Create pivot tables to quickly summarize data and calculate totals, averages, and percentages.
- Dashboard design and configuration
Use the selected template, drag and drop charts, tables, and interactive filters, customize the style, and check real-time data updates.
This way, you move from preparation and planning to the practical creation of an interactive and visual dashboard that allows you to analyze data and make management decisions quickly and efficiently.
Continue reading The SMB Guide to Staying Competitive with ERP
Advanced tips for effective reporting in Odoo BI
To take reporting to the next level, you can apply advanced data handling techniques. They will help make your dashboard fast, reliable, and user-friendly.
Step 6: Optimize data performance
For fast and efficient dashboard performance, it is important to optimize data sources:
- Instead of processing all minor records, aggregate data on a weekly or monthly basis for a clear overview.
- Use the caching available in Odoo BI to ensure that changes are reflected instantly on the dashboard.
- Simplify formulas in tables so that they can quickly process large amounts of data without slowing down.
Step 7: Regularly update and verify data
Data relevance is key to reporting accuracy. Therefore, we recommend the following:
- Set up a schedule for updating data in tables and dashboards so that changes are reflected without manual intervention.
- Periodically check aggregated data and metrics for anomalies.
- Use conditional formatting or notifications to quickly identify unusual trends and address them.
Step 8: Improve user interaction through custom views
To make the dashboard as useful as possible for different users, you need to configure:
- Detailed analysis. Allow users to click on chart elements to view more detailed data. For example, clicking on monthly sales can show daily transactions.
- Responsive layouts. Optimize the panel for different devices—desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Personalized views. Customize the dashboard for different roles in the company: sales staff, financial managers, executives.
These methods make the dashboard more interactive and increase the effectiveness of analytics.
You mat also like the article Why Do IT Companies Choose Odoo? Key Features, Tools, and Real Examples
Integration of external data sources and external links
Modern analytics often requires connection to external data sources and the provision of useful resources for users.
Step 9: Connect to third-party sources
To ensure data is up-to-date and complete:
- Use Odoo BI API connectors to connect CRM systems, financial platforms, or other external databases.
- Ensure that data from external sources is automatically synchronized and updated on your dashboard.
Step 10: Provide informational references
For users who want to deepen their knowledge or learn about best practices:
- Add links to dashboard design guidelines.
- Include materials on optimizing spreadsheets and formulas.
- Support access to additional Odoo BI resources and documentation.
These resources help teams adapt to the tool more quickly and stay up to date with the latest trends in data analysis.
Conclusion
Odoo BI is a powerful analytics tool in Odoo that allows you to combine data, create tables, pivot tables, and interactive dashboards. Thanks to financial analytics in Odoo and Odoo Spreadsheet analytics, businesses receive accurate, clear, and timely reports. Data organization, performance optimization, and personalized views help you quickly create reports and make informed decisions. Using these capabilities, you can easily create a dashboard in Odoo that will improve teamwork and reporting efficiency.
Practical checklist for creating a dashboard in Odoo BI
- Organize data and import it from various sources.
- Create pivot tables for quick data summaries.
- Use calculated fields for dynamic metrics.
- Design a dashboard or adapt a template.
- Add charts, tables, and interactive filters.
- Connect external sources via API.
- Verify data accuracy and relevance.
- Update and improve the dashboard based on feedback.
