Looker Dashboard Design Principles Every Tableau User Should Know

Switching from Tableau to Looker is not just a technology shift—it’s a mindset shift. While Tableau thrives on drag-and-drop visualization flexibility, Looker is built on a modeling layer (LookML) that enforces governance, scalability, and consistent data definitions. For Tableau users, this means dashboard design needs to follow a slightly different playbook to achieve clarity, usability, and performance.

If you’re moving your dashboards to Looker or simply want to sharpen your design skills, here are the key Looker dashboard design principles every Tableau user should know.

1. Prioritize Business Questions, Not Just Visuals

In Tableau, it’s common to start with visuals and build stories from there. Looker flips the approach: dashboards should be designed around business questions and KPIs first.

How this translates for Tableau users:

• Don’t just replicate the same charts—ask, “What decision will this dashboard drive?”
• Align tiles and filters with the workflow of decision-makers.
• Use consistent KPIs across dashboards (thanks to LookML definitions).

2. Keep Dashboards Lightweight for Performance

Looker queries data in real time, so performance depends on how your tiles and filters are set up. Overloading dashboards with too many elements can slow things down.

Best practices:

• Limit the number of tiles (8–10 per dashboard is ideal).
• Use merged results instead of duplicating queries.
• Minimize the use of overly complex filters.

Tableau to Looker difference:

Aspect	Tableau Approach	Looker Approach
Data Handling	In-memory extracts for speed	Live SQL queries for governance
Dashboard Performance	Many visuals possible with extracts	Fewer, optimized tiles recommended
Filter Management	Local to dashboard	Centralized LookML filters for reusability

3. Embrace LookML for Scalability

Unlike Tableau, where calculated fields often live in each workbook, Looker centralizes business logic in LookML. This ensures consistency across dashboards and avoids “multiple versions of truth.”

Design tip for Tableau users:

• Move calculations to LookML wherever possible.
• Use LookML to define dimensions, measures, and reusable filters.
• Treat dashboards as a presentation layer—not a calculation engine.

4. Use a Clear and Consistent Layout

Tableau offers more design freedom, but that can sometimes lead to clutter. Looker enforces a cleaner tile-based grid system—use it to your advantage.

Practical guidelines:

• Group related metrics together in rows or sections.
• Place high-level KPIs at the top, details below.
• Use text tiles to provide context or instructions.

5. Leverage Filters and User Attributes Smartly

Tableau dashboards often rely heavily on global filters. In Looker, filters can be tied to user attributes, enabling personalization at scale.

Examples:

• Regional managers only see their region’s data automatically.
• Executive dashboards can show global roll-ups, while analysts see granular details.

This ensures both governance and efficiency.

6. Focus on Storytelling, Not Just Data Dumps

Both Tableau and Looker enable storytelling, but Looker emphasizes guided exploration. A dashboard should point users to the “why” behind the data, not just present numbers.

Tips:

• Use visualization types that highlight trends and outliers.
• Add drill-throughs or links to Looks for deeper analysis.
• Keep dashboard titles and subtitles descriptive and business-oriented.

7. Test Dashboards with Real Users

A common mistake Tableau users make is assuming the design works the same way in Looker. Because Looker handles data differently, always validate with end-users.

Checklist before publishing:

• Does the dashboard load quickly?
• Are KPIs consistent across other dashboards?
• Is the layout intuitive for non-technical users?

Quick Comparison: Tableau vs. Looker Dashboarding Mindset

Principle	Tableau Users Tend to…	In Looker, You Should…
Start Point	Build from visuals upward	Start with business questions
Performance	Rely on extracts to speed things	Optimize queries, minimize tiles
Logic Placement	Keep calculations in each workbook	Centralize in LookML
Layout	Freeform visual placement	Grid-based, clean, consistent
Filters	Dashboard-level global filters	Use reusable filters + user attributes
Storytelling	Visual exploration	Guided, KPI-driven exploration

Why Partner with Squareshift?

Designing dashboards in Looker isn’t about copy-pasting Tableau designs—it’s about rethinking them for governance, scalability, and real-time insights. That’s where Squareshift helps.

• Migration Expertise: They specialize in helping enterprises recreate Tableau dashboards in Looker while preserving usability.
• Performance Optimization: Squareshift ensures dashboards run smoothly, no matter how large your data.
• Practical Design Tips: Check out their in-depth guide on recreating Tableau dashboards in Looker.
• End-to-End Looker Services: From migration to custom LookML development, Squareshift covers it all—explore their full offerings at Looker Services.

Final Thoughts

For Tableau users, adopting Looker requires a mindset shift from visual flexibility to data governance and scalability. By focusing on lightweight, business-driven dashboards, leveraging LookML, and designing with performance in mind, you’ll unlock the true potential of Looker.

And if you want to accelerate the journey, Squareshift is the right partner to ensure your dashboards are not just migrated—but reimagined for the modern data-driven enterprise.