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Zoho Analytics Setup & Configuration Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for connecting Zoho Creator data to Zoho Analytics and building the Controller Reporting Pack (v3).

1. Data Connection (Creator -> Analytics)​

  1. Log in to zoho.com/analytics.
  2. Click Import Your Data -> Zoho Creator.
  3. Select the application: BudgetContracts.
  4. Mandatory Tables to import (Sync enabled):
    • Fiscal_Years
    • Budget_Versions (Primary data source for KPIs)
    • Budget_Buckets
    • Streams
  5. Sync Frequency: Recommended "Every 1 Hour" for near real-time dashboards.

2. Metric Calculations (Aggregate Formulas)​

In Zoho Analytics, complex KPIs are best handled via Aggregate Formulas in the Budget_Versions table:

MetricFormula
Total Budgetsum("Approved Amount")
% Committed(sum("Committed Amount") / sum("Approved Amount")) * 100
Forecast Variancesum("Closing Forecast") - sum("Approved Amount")

3. Visualizations​

Executive KPI Cards​

  • Use the Dashboard Widget component.
  • Source: Budget_Versions.
  • Apply a User Filter for Fiscal_Year.fy_name to make the dashboard dynamic.

Strategic Pivot Table​

  • Rows: Stream, Bucket, Expense Type.
  • Columns: Fiscal Year.
  • Data: Approved Amount (Sum), Committed Amount (Sum), Spent Amount (Sum).

4. Embedding in Zoho Creator​

To display the Analytics dashboard inside the Creator "Controller Cockpit":

  1. In Zoho Analytics Dashboard, click Share -> Embed.
  2. Configure permissions (e.g., Access with Login or specific users).
  3. Copy the URL (do not copy the whole iframe tag, just the src URL).
  4. In Zoho Creator Page Builder:
    • Add an Embed / HTML Snippet.
    • Choose URL.
    • Paste the Analytics link.

[!TIP] Dynamic Filtering: If you pass fy_name as a parameter in the URL, Analytics can automatically filter the embedded dashboard based on the Creator page context.