LookML Wiki: Looker Modeling Language
Data Analytics. Ever felt like your data is locked away in a complex database, unusable for easy analysis? LookML can be the key that unlocks its potential. Take a look at LookML and how it empowers you to turn your data into insights with Looker, a business intelligence tool.
This local studio is the same one that used to be Google's data studio earlier. Its name has only changed. It has also brought some additional features, some more advancements, and information about which you will get on its official website. I will tell you some information here right now, so the studio is very simple.
What is LookML?
Looker Modeling Language. Imagine a translator. LookML acts as a translator between your raw data and the way it’s presented for analysis in Looker. It’s a specific language that shapes your data, making it understandable and ready for exploration.
- Tame the Database Beast: Databases can be complex with cryptic structures. LookML helps you define categories (dimensions) for filtering data and metrics (measures) for calculations. You can describe how tables in your database are related, creating a clear picture for analysis.
- Customizable calculations. Need a specific calculation for your data analysis? LookML lets you create custom formulas, tailoring your data to answer your unique questions.
- Speak the Business Language. Forget database jargon. It builds a semantic data model. This means your data is presented in a way that business users can understand, without needing knowledge of the underlying database structure.
LookML Wiki: Looker Modeling Language
Benefits
- Empowered users. Business users can explore and analyze data independently, without relying on data analysts or IT teams.
- Faster Insights: LookML streamlines data preparation, enabling quicker access to valuable insights.
- Standardized analysis. Define calculations and data structures once, ensuring consistent analysis across your organization.
- Improved Data Governance: It provides a central point to manage and govern your data definitions.
Getting started
LookML is written in files within Looker projects. These files typically include:
- Model files. Define which tables from your database will be used and how they’re joined.
- View files. Describe how information is calculated for each table or even across multiple tables.
It has a relatively simple syntax, making it easier to learn than complex SQL queries. Many resources are available to help you get started. It includes Looker’s documentation, online courses, and tutorials.
In the search panel, where you can search for objects and perform a find and replace, once your project is configured for git, you can access the get actions panel. From here, you can create a new branch, navigate to a different existing branch, or view uncommitted changes as well as a history of commits.
You can also perform standard git commands from this panel, such as pushing and pulling changes and deploying to production. The commands available to you on the get actions panel will vary depending on where you are in the process of making changes to your project and deploying it to production.
Unlocking the potential.
- Sales Analysis: Define dimensions like product category, region, and salesperson. Create measures like sales amount, profit margin, and conversion rate. Explore sales trends and identify areas for improvement.
- Marketing Campaign Analysis: Track metrics like website visits, ad clicks, and conversion rates. Analyze the effectiveness of different marketing campaigns and optimize your budget allocation.
- Customer Insights: Understand customer behavior by analyzing purchase history, demographics, and support interactions. Identify valuable customer segments and personalize your marketing efforts.
- Imagine you’re a sales manager. With a few clicks in Looker, you can visualize sales trends across different regions, identify top-performing areas, and discover regions that need more attention.
The future of LookML
LookML is continuously evolving, with new features and functionalities being added. As business intelligence continues to grow, it will play a crucial role in making data analysis accessible and empowering data-driven decision-making across organizations. You can transform raw numbers into actionable insights that drive business growth.