See what matters most with Dynamics 365 dashboards

Types of dashboards in Dynamics 365

Within Dynamics 365, you can create two main types of dashboards: system dashboards and personal dashboards. Each serves a distinct purpose:

• System dashboards: Designed by a System Administrator or System Customizer, these dashboards are available to all users within your organization. They provide standardized reporting and ensure consistent metrics across teams.
• Personal dashboards: These dashboards are created by individual users for their own needs. They are initially private but can be shared with colleagues if desired. Personal dashboards offer flexibility to focus on the metrics most relevant to your day-to-day responsibilities. This post focuses primarily on personal dashboards and how to make the most of them.

How to create a personal dashboard in Dynamics 365

Building a personal dashboard in Dynamics 365 is straightforward and highly customizable. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Navigate to the dashboard area within Dynamics 365.
2. Either select an existing dashboard and choose “Save As” to duplicate it, or start a new dashboard from scratch.
3. Select a layout that best fits your reporting needs, then click “Create.”

After selecting your layout, provide a descriptive name for your dashboard. Then begin adding components. A blue outline highlights the active component you are currently editing, making it easy to customize each section of your dashboard.

Each component can be customized to display the type of data you need. Use the icons within a component or the navigation buttons at the top of the screen. When adding charts, you can select the view that will serve as the data source, ensuring your visualizations reflect the most relevant information.

Customizing and organizing your dashboard

Once your components are added, Dynamics 365 gives you the flexibility to rearrange and resize them for a clean and effective layout. To move a component, drag its header to an empty space or place it over another component—the system will display a red line showing where the component will be positioned.

Resizing is equally intuitive. Select a component and use the navigation buttons or ellipses menu to adjust its height (by three rows) and width (by one column at a time). This lets you prioritize key metrics and make the most important data more prominent.

Removing unnecessary components is just as simple—select the component and click “Remove” to keep your dashboard focused and uncluttered.

When your dashboard is complete, click “Save” and then “Close.” Your new dashboard will now appear in the dashboard dropdown, making it easy to access your key insights at any time.

Best practices for dashboards in Dynamics 365

To maximize the effectiveness of your dashboards, follow these best practices:

• Review existing views and charts to identify the most valuable metrics for consolidation.
• Keep dashboards clean and focused—avoid clutter by limiting components to essentials.
• Use charts and graphs to provide visual context, making data easier to interpret at a glance.
• Share personal dashboards with colleagues who benefit from similar insights, leveraging Dynamics 365’s sharing functionality.
• Regularly update your dashboards to reflect evolving business priorities and new data sources.
• Consider creating role-based dashboards for different teams, ensuring each group sees the metrics most relevant to their responsibilities.

For additional guidance, explore our Insights section for tips and tricks on leveraging Dynamics 365 to its full potential.

Next steps

Custom dashboards in Dynamics 365 allow you to see what matters most, make informed decisions, and act with confidence. Whether you’re just starting with dashboards or looking to enhance existing ones, Rand Group’s team of Microsoft Dynamics 365 experts can help you get the most out of your data.

We offer consulting, training, and implementation services tailored to your business needs. From dashboard design to best practices in reporting, we ensure your dashboards deliver actionable insights that drive performance and growth.

Ready to take your reporting to the next level? Contact Rand Group today to schedule a consultation or explore our full range of Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions designed to support your business objectives.