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Data adapters

OneStream Data Adapters: Connecting Dashboards to Useful Data

A OneStream dashboard is only as useful as the data it can present. Data adapters connect dashboard components to results, while Dashboard Data Set business rules handle more specialized or programmatic data shaping.

Reviewed by AIQOS · Updated

Example OneStream dashboard showing charts, KPI cards, and tabular report areasOpen full size
A finished dashboard combines the user interface with the adapters and rules that provide its data.

What a data adapter does

A data adapter supplies rows, values, or lists to a dashboard component. Depending on the requirement, that may come from a SQL query, a method query, a cube-oriented source, or a Dashboard Data Set business rule. The right adapter keeps the dashboard component focused on presentation rather than embedding data logic everywhere.

When to use a Dashboard Data Set rule

Use a Dashboard Data Set rule when a dashboard needs programmatic results that cannot be expressed cleanly through a basic adapter configuration. Examples include assembling a custom table, combining data sources, preparing a parameter list, or returning a structured set of values for a dashboard workflow.

Design for maintainability

Keep query/data logic separated from display logic, name adapters and their supporting rules consistently, and document the expected columns or parameter values. When a dashboard changes, this separation makes it easier to trace whether the issue belongs in the component, adapter, or rule.

Looking for a specific workflow? Return to the OneStream resources hub to browse related practical guides.

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