The Best Analytics Strategy Isn’t Just Build or Buy... Why Dashboard Layout Constraints are a Feature, Not a Bug
Building dashboards should be empowering. After all, we are giving users the ability to turn raw data into visual stories, to craft something functional, informative, and even visually appealing. But here is the paradox we have seen play out again and again: when you give users too much freedom, it can actually slow them down.
In the world of dashboard design, we often hear that more flexibility equates to better results. Why not let users place every chart, number, or text box exactly where they want? Why not let them create any layout imaginable?
The reality? Unlimited freedom often leads to frustration. Misaligned widgets, crowded rows, layouts that look fine on a widescreen monitor but fall apart on a tablet or phone. Users spend more time adjusting margins, positions than analyzing insights.
At GoodData, we have taken a different path. One that embraces a design philosophy some might find surprising at first: constraints are not limitations, they are tools for better usability. By guiding users through a structured layout experience, we help them build dashboards faster, cleaner, and more confidently.
What Users Expect and What Surprises Them
In our usability sessions with new GoodData dashboard builders, one theme consistently emerged: people bring their past experiences with them. Whether they had used BI tools, design platforms, or spreadsheets, most came in with a clear mental model: they expected a two-dimensional grid where charts and visualizations could be placed and resized freely.
That is why users were initially surprised by our row-based layout. It was different, but in a good way. Once users interacted with it, they quickly began to understand its logic and advantages. In fact, everyone adapted within minutes, often expressing a sense of relief once they realized the layout handled spacing and alignment for them.
Instead of onboarding tours or walkthroughs, users naturally relied on exploration and experimentation. They tried actions, got immediate feedback, and built understanding step by step. And once they discovered how the layout worked, they were able to repeat and apply what they learned almost instantly.
Some features that initially surprised users ended up becoming their favorites:
- Resizing the height of an entire row instead of individual widgets felt more intuitive over time. It gave them consistent visual control with fewer adjustments.
- When adding new widgets, they appreciated how the system automatically adapted sizes to fit the row, helping them keep the dashboard clean and aligned.
- Because layout options were visible and accessible, users felt confident and in control without digging through settings or needing expert knowledge.
The result? A sense of clarity. Even though the layout approach wasn’t what new users initially expected, it quickly became something they preferred.
The Design Philosophy Behind our Layout System
Behind every design decision in GoodData’s dashboard layout system is a simple belief: a well-designed system should guide users naturally toward building good dashboards without getting in their way.
We didn’t set out to restrict creativity. We set out to reduce friction. And that starts with designing for real-world dashboarding needs, not hypothetical edge cases. Here are the principles that shape our approach:
#1 Structure helps, rather than restricts
Our layout uses a column and row-based system that provides just the right amount of structure: snapping visualizations into place, maintaining spacing, and keeping everything aligned.
This helps users build quickly without sacrificing clarity or balance. Even complex dashboards stay readable, structured, and polished.
#2 Responsive by design
Every dashboard built in GoodData automatically adapts to different screen sizes and devices. Whether you’re viewing on a widescreen monitor or on a tablet, the layout adjusts without breaking.
Because rows manage widget positioning and alignment as a unit, you don’t need to tweak each widget manually. No special setup. It just works.
#3 No design degree required
Not every dashboard builder is a designer, and they shouldn’t have to be. Our goal is to let users focus on data storytelling, not layout mechanics.
Thanks to intuitive resizing, snapping, and layout automation, even new users to the platform can create a professional-looking dashboard within minutes. We take care of the details so users can stay focused on the insights.
#4 Built on modern, flexible technology
Our layout system isn’t just user-friendly, it's technically aligned with modern web standards. Behind the scenes, it’s powered by a responsive grid system based on Flexbox, a proven layout model that ensures consistent rendering across browsers and devices.
These principles are grounded in what we’ve seen work best during user testing, real-world usage, and product iteration. It’s not about limiting what users can build; it’s about making sure the easiest path is also the best one.
What We Learned and Keep Improving
Watching people build dashboards with our layout system taught us more than any spec or internal review ever could.
We saw firsthand how quickly users adapted once they understood the system’s logic. Even when it challenged their expectations, the benefits clicked fast: less clutter, better alignment, and a sense that the tool was helping, not keeping them back.
These sessions confirmed something we deeply believe: good design doesn’t completely remove complexity, it manages it. Rather than forcing users to make dozens of layout decisions, our system makes smart choices by default and lets users override them when needed. That’s what made the experience feel approachable, even to those unfamiliar with the column and row-based layout concept.
We also gained valuable insight into where the system can improve next.
One clear theme was that users strongly preferred help with alignment. The snapping behavior and automatic sizing were well received, and we’re doubling down on that. We’re also currently working on improvements that will make it even easier to keep dashboards clean, consistent, and visually balanced (especially when adding or rearranging content).
At the same time, we heard from users with specific layout needs (particularly those trying to recreate complex dashboards they had previously built in other tools) that they would love more flexibility in dashboard structure. While our current system handles the most common scenarios with ease, we recognize that additional flexibility can be valuable in these cases. That’s why the next iteration of our layout system is already taking shape. More advanced layout options are currently being tested and gradually introduced, giving users greater control where it matters most.
One of these new features is the Column container, a flexible layout element that makes it easy to stack widgets vertically within a section, with intuitive resizing and alignment. It also supports a wrapped row mode, letting widgets flow side-by-side and wrap cleanly when space runs out. Combined with reduced minimum visualization sizes, this will allow users to create denser and more space-optimized dashboards.
Final thoughts
Dashboards are most powerful when they get out of the way, when they let the data shine and help users stay focused on insight rather than interface.
At GoodData, we believe in giving users the tools they need to move fast and feel confident, not by overwhelming them with options, but by providing smart defaults that guide them toward clean, responsive, and effective dashboard layouts.
Constraints, when used thoughtfully, don’t limit creativity. They remove the noise, reduce the guesswork, and support better decision-making, both for those designing the dashboards and the people who use them.
As we continue to evolve our layout system, we remain focused on the same goal: helping users create better dashboards by making the layout experience simple, predictable, and effective. So they can spend less time wrestling with layout decisions and more time turning data into action.
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