---
schema_version: "1"
id: ad2459e41900563706fa5fa76a8e98ac720593bdb9de46a99e4cdfd3bc8a98dc
title: Customize Data, Queries, and Dashboards
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/analytics/264-0-0/bi_saql_landing.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_saql_landing.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 0b39f14d4657d9d9929f27fbd5a69f5d3e728556718946b142e8d8efe07cda8a
description: Access Analytics data and construct advanced queries using either Salesforce Analytics Query Language (SAQL) or SQL. Customize Analytics dashboards by creating and using your own Lightning Web Components. Add interactions to bind dashboard widgets and tailor the extended metadata (XMD) for your datasets.
products:
  - CRM Analytics
  - Cross Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Customize Data, Queries, and Dashboards

Access Analytics data and construct advanced queries using either Salesforce Analytics Query Language (SAQL) or SQL. Customize Analytics dashboards by creating and using your own Lightning Web Components. Add interactions to bind dashboard widgets and tailor the extended metadata (XMD) for your datasets.

## Build Custom Data Queries

Access data in Analytics and construct advanced queries using Salesforce Analytics Query Language (SAQL) and SQL. You can embed SAQL queries that return actionable insights wherever your users do their everyday work. For more information on working with SAQL and SQL, see

- [Create SAQL queries](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_step_saql_build.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Use the query editor to create or customize SAQL or SOQL queries. The query editor gives you additional flexibility over queries created by widget wizards or in the chart and table modes of the lens.")
- [View the Query Behind Your Lens](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_explorer_view_saql.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "CRM Analytics uses Salesforce Analytics Query Language (SAQL) or Salesforce Object Query Language (SOQL) behind the scenes in lenses and dashboards to gather data for visualizations. You can view and edit the underlying code that’s written as you explore, or copy it for use elsewhere.")
- [Analytics SAQL Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-saql/guide/bi-saql-intro.html)
- [SQL for Analytics Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-sql/guide/bi-sql-intro.html)

## Customize Analytics Dashboards

Build custom and powerful dashboards with features like LWC and interactions. For more information on how to use these features, see

- [Create and Manage Dashboards with Reusable Components](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_widgets_components.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Dashboard components are a type of dashboard widget that can contain other widgets, pages, and Lightning Web Components. Use dashboard components to manage and reuse groups of charts, tables, filters, text, and more in multiple dashboards. Use Lightning Web Components to bring custom Lightning Experience functionality directly into dashboards.")
- [Lightning Web Components in Analytics Dashboards Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-lwc-in-db/guide/bi-lwc-in-db-overview.html)
- [Create Interactions with Clicks](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_create_interactions_bindings.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Interactions, previously called bindings, are the most powerful way to specify relationships between different queries on your dashboard. Creating the right syntax for an interaction can be complex. With the Advanced Interaction Editor, create, edit, and preview your interactions with clicks.")
- [Analytics Interactions Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-bindings/guide/bi-dbjson-bindings.html)

## Format Dataset Fields

Use extended metadata (XMD) to customize the formation of dataset fields and their values. For more information, see

- [Format Measures and Display Elements with Analytics Extended Metadata (XMD)](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_xmd_landing.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5 "Set up your data and customize dashboard elements with CRM Analytics Extended Metadata.")
- [Analytics Extended Metadata (XMD) Developer Guide](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/bi-dev-guide-xmd/guide/bi-xmd-intro.html)