Develop with Looker and Looker Studio

Key Concepts

• Looker Blocks: Pre-built data models for common analytical patterns and data sources.
• Looker Embedding: Embedding Looker functionality inside other applications.
• Looker Extensions: Custom-built web applications hosted on Looker.
• Looker Studio Linking API: Programmatically generating Looker Studio reports from a template.
• Looker Studio Community Connectors: Connecting and modeling new data sources into Looker Studio.
• Looker Studio Community Visualizations: Custom visualizations for Looker Studio reports.

Looker Developer Features

Looker Blocks

• Definition: Pre-built data models for common analytical patterns and data sources.
• Example: Google Analytics (GA) Block.
  • If a company uses Google Analytics and wants to explore GA data in Looker, they can install the GA block from the Looker Marketplace.
  • The GA block configures Looker fields and measures, allowing users to immediately explore GA data with pre-made dashboards that analyze user behavior.
• Customization: Blocks can be customized to fit specific business needs and new blocks can be developed.

Looker Embedding

• Definition: The ability to embed Looker functionality inside other applications.
• Use Case: Stakeholders who don't log in to Looker can still view dashboards within their preferred applications.
• Mechanism: The Looker Embed SDK is used to embed Looker dashboards as iframes inside other applications.
• Control: Applications can programmatically control the embedded Looker dashboard's style and functionality.

Looker Extensions

• Definition: Custom-built web applications hosted on Looker.
• Problem Solved: Addresses the need for additional functionality on top of the Looker platform without building a separate web app from scratch.
• Benefits:
  • The Looker platform hosts the web application inside Looker.
  • The framework provides easy integration points for the app to access Looker features like authentication and API access.
  • Faster development of extra functionality.

Looker Studio Developer Features

Looker Studio Linking API

• Definition: A programmatic way to generate Looker Studio reports from a template report.
• Example: Using Google Analytics to track metrics across multiple product features.
  • Each stakeholder wants to see a report pertaining to their product feature's metrics.
• Process:
  1. Create a custom URL with parameters.
  2. The URL automatically generates a Looker Studio report from a template.
• Integration: The URL generation flow can be integrated into an application to programmatically serve tailored Looker Studio reports.

Looker Studio Community Connectors and Visualizations

• Problem: Integrating data from a new marketing tool into Looker Studio.
• Solution:
  1. Community Connector: Create a Looker Studio Community Connector to connect and model the new marketing data source into a format Looker Studio can understand.
     • Existing connectors can be used from the marketplace, or custom connectors can be built with Apps Script.
  2. Community Visualization: Build a custom Looker Studio Community Visualization to display the data in a unique way.
     • The visualization can then be added to Looker Studio reports.

Conclusion

The video provides an overview of the developer features available in Looker and Looker Studio, highlighting how these features can be used to extend and adapt the platforms to meet specific business intelligence needs. Looker offers Blocks, Embedding, and Extensions, while Looker Studio provides the Linking API, Community Connectors, and Community Visualizations. These tools enable users to integrate data from various sources, customize visualizations, and embed Looker functionality into other applications, ultimately enhancing data exploration and reporting capabilities. The video encourages viewers to explore the documentation and look forward to deeper dives into each feature in subsequent videos.