How to pass URL parameters in Looker Studio?
Struggling with URL parameters in Looker Studio? Good news, in this article you’ll find everything you need to know to make it work !
This is a very useful feature for database connections, which allows you to control what users see when they first land on your report. Some people use it to make sure people focus on what matters, others to restrict access, possibilities are endless. In this article, we’ll review how to pass URL parameters in Looker Studio (previously known as Data Studio).
Top Looker Studio connectors we love and use on a daily basis (all with free trials): PMA - Windsor - Supermetrics - Catchr - Funnel - Dataslayer. Reviews here and there.
Not sure which one to pick? Have a question? Need a pro to get a project done? Contact us on LinkedIn or by e-mail, and we’ll clear up any doubt you might have.
Create a database connection and add two parameters
First of, please create a database connection. In our example, we’ll use a Big Query custom query to read a table we’ve populated with housing data from the Spanish market (please note that not all database connections accept parameters).
We’ve created 2 parameters using the button Add a parameter at the bottom:
One called ciudad_param, to control for the city (default value: BARCELONA). This is a STRING
One called multiplicator (default: value: 1), to make some calculations later on. This is Number (whole)
We end up having something like this:
Create a table and two controls
Once the data source has been created, please add a table with data from your source, and add two Input box controls, one for each parameter we’ve just created. In the table, we’ve added a new calculated field:
Precio x Multiplicator
You should see the default value you’ve set in the input boxes:
Change settings, find parameters name, and you’re good to go!
In order to be able to pass URL parameters, you need to change a few settings:
Under Resource, Manage variables, next to your parameter please tick Allow to be modified in report URL
Make sure to note the name of your parameters, as this is what we’ll use to pass parameters
We’re almost there! But before, we need to go under File > Report settings, and tick the Enable viewer filters in report link.
Now, let’s say we want to see data for MADRID, with a multiplicator of 2. In the input box, please insert MADRID and 2. You should now see in the address bar of your browser the params strings, that should look like:
params={“ds3.ciudad_param”:”MADRID”,”ds3.multiplicator”:2}
Now, to create the JSON to pass the parameters, proceed to https://www.urlencoder.org/, copy this JSON, click ENCODE, and then re-copy the results the page is giving you.
Back to your report:
Refresh the browser and go to Viewer mode
In the address bar, copy the report path, which is something like https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx/page/ABCDE
Add an interrogation mark ? at the end of that url, copy the new whole thing
Replace %3D right after params with an equal sign =
And hat’s it, you’ve just passed URL parameters in Looker Studio, just like the image below:
In this quick article, we’ve reviewed how to pass URL parameters in Looker Studio.
PROBLEM SOLVED !
Top Looker Studio connectors we love and use on a daily basis (all with free trials): PMA - Windsor - Supermetrics - Catchr - Funnel - Dataslayer. Reviews here and there.
Not sure which one to pick? Have a question? Need a pro to get a project done? Contact us on LinkedIn or by e-mail, and we’ll clear up any doubt you might have.
Communicate and browse privately. Check Proton Mail and Proton VPN
Website hosted by Tropical Server