Dashboards in Dynamics 365 Sales provide a centralized view of key business metrics, making it easier for sales teams to track performance, monitor leads, and manage opportunities efficiently. However, out-of-the-box dashboards may not always align with your team's specific needs. Fortunately, Dynamics 365 Sales allows you to customize dashboards to ensure your team gets the most relevant insights at a glance.
This blog provides a walkthrough on how to customize dashboards in Dynamics 365 Sales to better suit your team's workflows and objectives.
Why Customize Dashboards?
Custom dashboards help your sales team by:
- Enhancing productivity – By surfacing critical data in one place, teams can make faster decisions.
- Improving visibility – Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and pipeline progress.
- Providing role-based insights – Ensure sales reps, managers, and executives see the data most relevant to them.
- Reducing manual reporting – Automate data visualization to minimize time spent on pulling reports.
Steps to Customize a Dashboard in Dynamics 365 Sales
1. Choose the Right Dashboard Type
Dynamics 365 Sales provides different types of dashboards:
- Personal Dashboards – Created by individual users for their own use.
- System Dashboards – Managed by administrators and shared across the organization.
To create a new dashboard, navigate to Sales Hub > Dashboards > New Dashboard and choose a layout that best fits your needs.
2. Add and Arrange Components
Once you've selected a layout, you can add different components:
- Charts – Visualize data trends using bar, pie, line, or funnel charts.
- Lists (Views) – Display tables of records, such as open leads or active opportunities.
- IFRAMEs & Web Resources – Embed external content or custom applications.
- Power BI Reports – Integrate advanced analytics for deeper insights.
3. Customize Data Filters
Make dashboards more interactive by enabling filters.
- Use date filters to track performance over specific time periods.
- Apply owner-based filters to allow individual team members to see only their relevant records.
4. Set Security & Sharing Options
Determine who can access the dashboard by adjusting user permissions:
- Personal Dashboards – Can be shared with specific team members.
- System Dashboards – Require admin rights to modify and distribute.
To share a dashboard, click Share Dashboard, select users or teams, and define their access levels.
5. Test & Optimize
After setting up the dashboard, test it with your team. Gather feedback on:
- Data accuracy and relevance
- Usability and navigation
- Load times and performance
Make adjustments based on feedback to ensure the dashboard delivers real value.
Best Practices for Custom Dashboards
- Keep it simple – Avoid clutter by including only the most critical metrics.
- Use visuals effectively – Charts should highlight trends, not overwhelm users.
- Ensure mobile compatibility – Optimize dashboards for easy viewing on mobile devices.
- Update regularly – Periodically review dashboard relevance as business needs evolve.
Final Thoughts
Customizing dashboards in Dynamics 365 Sales allows your team to focus on what matters most, closing deals and managing customer relationships effectively. By following these steps, you can create dashboards that enhance productivity and drive data-driven decision-making.
Need help optimizing your Dynamics 365 Sales experience? Contact WebSan Solutions Inc. today!