What is the difference between a report and a dashboard in Salesforce?
Theme: Reporting and Analytics Role: Salesforce Administrator Function: Sales
Interview Question for Salesforce Administrator: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About Salesforce Administrator: Manages and maintains the Salesforce CRM system for the sales team. This role falls within the Sales function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Reporting and Analytics with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Definition: A report in Salesforce is a detailed list or summary of records that meet specific criteria. It can be used to analyze data, track trends, and make informed business decisions. A dashboard, on the other hand, is a visual representation of data from multiple reports, providing a real-time snapshot of key metrics and performance indicators
- Purpose: Reports are primarily used to analyze data and generate insights. They allow users to filter, group, and summarize data to answer specific business questions. Dashboards, on the other hand, are used to monitor and track key metrics at a glance. They provide a consolidated view of data from multiple reports, allowing users to quickly identify trends and patterns
- Data Presentation: Reports present data in a tabular format, similar to a spreadsheet. They can include charts, tables, and matrices to visualize data. Dashboards, on the other hand, use various components like charts, gauges, and tables to present data in a visually appealing and interactive manner
- Data Source: Reports are based on a single object or multiple related objects in Salesforce. They can include both standard and custom fields. Dashboards, on the other hand, can include data from multiple reports, allowing users to combine and analyze data from different sources
- Interactivity: Reports are interactive and allow users to drill down into the data, apply filters, and customize the view. However, they are not real-time and need to be refreshed to reflect the latest data. Dashboards, on the other hand, provide real-time data and can be customized to allow users to interact with the data, such as filtering or drilling down, without the need for refreshing
- Distribution: Reports can be scheduled to run at specific times and delivered to users via email or saved as files. They can also be shared with specific users or groups within Salesforce. Dashboards, on the other hand, can be shared with specific users or groups, but they cannot be scheduled or delivered via email
- Access Control: Reports and dashboards can be shared with specific users or groups based on their Salesforce permissions. However, reports can also be made public or accessible to all users, while dashboards are always shared with specific users or groups
- Customization: Reports can be customized by adding filters, grouping data, creating formulas, and adding charts or tables. Dashboards can be customized by adding or rearranging components, changing the layout, and applying filters to the underlying reports
- Usage: Reports are commonly used by individuals or teams to analyze data and generate insights for their specific needs. Dashboards are typically used by managers or executives to monitor key metrics and track overall performance
- Mobile Access: Reports and dashboards can be accessed on mobile devices through the Salesforce mobile app. However, the layout and functionality may vary compared to the desktop version
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Knowledge of Salesforce: Understanding the key features and functionalities of Salesforce
- Analytical skills: Ability to differentiate and explain the differences between two similar concepts
- Experience with data visualization: Understanding how to present data in a meaningful and visually appealing way
- Problem-solving skills: Ability to identify and address business needs through reporting and dashboarding
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of understanding: Not being able to clearly explain the difference between a report and a dashboard
- Confusion: Mixing up the functionalities and features of reports and dashboards
- Limited knowledge: Not being aware of the various components and capabilities of reports and dashboards in Salesforce
- Inability to provide examples: Not being able to provide specific examples of how reports and dashboards are used in a sales function