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When Should I Use This?
Use FORWARD Dashboards when you need to:
Review program activity using interactive charts, tables, and summary cards
Organize dashboard content into pages (including auto templates)
Filter dashboard views by Date or by State (application status)
Publish dashboard updates after making changes in Edit Mode
Step-by-Step Instructions
Open your dashboard. The dashboard always opens in Preview Mode.
Review your dashboard in Preview Mode.
Preview Mode shows the most recent updates as they will appear once published, without making live changes.
Switch to Edit Mode using the Preview/Edit Mode Toggle.
Use Edit Mode when you need to build or modify dashboard content.
(Optional) Use Pages to navigate sections of your dashboard.
Pages help sort and organize the data you’re viewing.
(Optional) In Edit Mode, review the auto page templates under Pages.
Auto templates include Overview, Awards, and Map.
(Optional) Add a new page using Add Page. Add Page allows a new title to be added to the Pages content.
Use Filter to adjust what data you are viewing. You can filter by Date (Start and/or End Date) and by State (application status).
Add content to the Dashboard Canvas.
The Dashboard Canvas is the visualization area where charts and components are placed and arranged.
Add headings or titles to the canvas (in Edit Mode).
Under typography options, use Heading to label different dashboard sections.
Add a chart to the canvas (in Edit Mode).
Available chart types include Bar Chart, Pie Chart, Line Chart, Table, and Map (set for zipcodes).
Add summary cards when you need quick totals (in Edit Mode).
Use Application Sum Card for application counts (for example, submitted or approved) and Value Sum Card for award values (for example, Awarded).
Use Publish to apply your changes to the live dashboard.
Publish applies and saves all recent edits to the live dashboard.
(Optional) Generate a shareable link using Copy Public URL.
Copy Public URL creates a link that others can view without portal access. Note: this makes the URL publicly searchable on the web.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Editing while still in Preview Mode. The dashboard opens in Preview Mode; switch to Edit Mode before you try to build or modify content.
Forgetting to click Publish after making changes. Your edits are applied to the live dashboard when you publish.
Using Copy Public URL without understanding the visibility. The link becomes publicly searchable on the web.
Trying to delete a section after adding it. Once a section is added, it cannot be deleted; the entire section would need to be deleted.
Selecting more than one dimension for a chart. When choosing chart data, select ONE dimension from the dropdown.
Best Practices for FORWARD Direct Users
Use Preview Mode to review how updates will appear once published, before you make live changes.
Use Pages (including the auto templates Overview, Awards, and Map) to keep dashboard content organized.
Use Filter (Date and State) to review the same dashboard from different angles without rebuilding it.
If you choose to share a dashboard using Copy Public URL, treat it as a public link because it becomes publicly searchable on the web.
FAQ
Does the dashboard start in Preview Mode?
Yes. The dashboard always opens in Preview Mode.
How do I make dashboard changes go live?
Switch to Edit Mode, make your updates, then click Publish to apply and save the edits to the live dashboard.
Can I share a dashboard with someone who does not have portal access?
Yes. Use Copy Public URL to generate a shareable link that can be viewed without portal access, but note the URL becomes publicly searchable on the web.
What filters are available in dashboards?
You can filter by Date (Start and/or End Date) and by State (application status).
What happens if I add a section by mistake?
Once a section is added, it cannot be deleted; the entire section would need to be deleted.