How Dune Dashboards Are Pulled Together: An In-Depth Guide

, repurposing intricate transaction data into simple-to-interpret and actionable insights. Its strength primarily derives from custom dashboards, which aggregate multiple graphs and statistics within a single, holistic framework. But what exactly goes into creating dashboards on ? It is a deliberate and methodical approach from unrefined and decentralized data towards a refined and dynamic report. Below is a detailed guide on how an impactful Dune Analytics dashboard is pulled together.

Key Takeaways

• Dune converts raw blockchain data into SQL-queryable databases, making on-chain information accessible.
• Creating dashboards involves writing SQL queries to extract specific data from blockchain tables, then transforming query results into visual charts and graphs that tell a compelling data story.
• Users can fork existing queries, build upon others’ work, and share dashboards publicly, creating an ecosystem where blockchain analytics become collaborative and accessible.

Understanding the Dune Analytics Foundation

Dune Analytics functions as a bridge between raw blockchain data and human-readable insights. The platform indexes blockchain histories from multiple networks into structured tables that resemble traditional databases. Instead of wrestling with , you get organized columns with fields such as token name, purchaviewr address, and transaction timestamps.

Dune utilizes Trino, a high-performance columnar SQL engine, to efficiently process millions of blockchain transactions. To use, create a free account at dune.com, and you immediately gain access to a query editor, visualization tools, and a comprehensive data catalog.

The construction of a Dune dashboard can be broken down into three primary phases: 

1. Extract data using SQL queries

Every Dune dashboard begins with data extraction through SQL queries.

• Access the query editor: You begin in Dune’s query editor, a dedicated environment for writing and executing code. Click “New Query” in the top right corner. You’ll view the SQL text editor in the center, query results below, and a table explorer on the left.
• Select the data source: Dune indexes data from numerous blockchains (including ETH, Solana, or Polygon) and presents it in structured tables. Use the dropdown menu to choose which blockchain you want to analyze. For example, analyzing NFT sales would require tables such as nft.trades, which are easier to read and quicker to query than raw transaction logs.
• Write the SQL query: This is the critical step. Use standard SQL commands (including SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, and ORDER BY) to ask specific questions about the data. For instance,

• Filtering: Use WHERE clauses, especially filtering by block_time ahead, to optimize query speed and efficiency.
• Aggregation: Use functions such as COUNT, SUM, and AVG to compute metrics, including total volume or the number of unique users.
• Joining: Combine data from multiple tables (such as transactions and price feeds) using JOIN statements to create richer datasets.

• Run and save the query: Click “Run” to execute your query. Results appear in a table format below your SQL code. Free accounts follow standard processing, while paid accounts access quicker query engines. Once satisfied, save the query, giving it a descriptive name.
• Schedule automatic updates: Schedule queries to run at intervals from every 15 minutes to daily, ensuring your dashboard reflects current blockchain activity.

2. Generate insight via visualization

Raw tabular data is hard to interpret rapidly. This phase focuses on transforming that data into a consumable visual format.

• Add a visualization: later than running your query successfully, click “Add Visualization” above the results table.
• Select a chart type: Choose the visualization type best suited for your data story. works best with line or bar charts. Pie charts compare proportions. Counters display single key metrics cleanly.
• Customize settings: Configure the settings for clarity. The visualization editor lets you customize:
  • X-axis and Y-axis selections from your query columns
  • Color schemes and chart styling
  • Labels and legends
  • Aggregation methods (sum, average, or count)
  • Grouping and stacking options
• Save: Each saved visualization acts as an independent widget ready to be placed on a dashboard.

3. Assemble the report

The final step is to organize the various widgets into a logical, navigable dashboard.

1. Create the dashboard: Navigate to the ‘Create’ menu and select “New Dashboard.” Use a descriptive name, as this often forms the unchangeable URL slug.
2. Add visualization: Click the “Edit” button and use the “Add Widget” function. Select the saved visualizations and queries you created in the previous phase to populate the dashboard.
3. Organize and annotate: Drag and drop the widgets to optimize the layout, resizing them to create a hierarchy of importance. For non-technical readers, add “Text Widgets” (using Markdown) to provide:
   • A dashboard title and introduction.
   • Section headings to group related metrics.
   • Explanations or commentary to interpret the data trends shown in the charts. 
4. Finalize and publish: Once the layout is satisfactory, click “Save.” The dashboard is now ready to be shared with the community via its public URL. Finished dashboards can be embedded on external websites using iframe code. Click the embed button on any visualization to get the HTML snippet.

Advanced Features

Forking: Dune’s most powerful feature is the ability to fork queries and dashboards created by other community members. Click “Fork” to copy any query into your own editor, where you may modify and adapt it at will.

Abstraction tables: Dune provides pre-processed abstraction tables that clean and enrich raw blockchain data. These tables include metadata (token symbols and USD prices), making analysis more straightforward.

Query performance: Optimize performance by selecting only the required columns, adding WHERE clauses to filter data, and breaking large queries into smaller, focused ones.

Bottom Line

Building a Dune dashboard involves accurately extracting raw blockchain data, converting it into clear visual widgets, and assembling these tools with strategic annotations to deliver a complete, impactful report. The platform democratizes blockchain analytics as it addresses the complex infrastructure of data indexing, enabling users to focus on querying and presenting findings effectively.

Whether it is for tracking some basic protocols, understanding an investment research endeavor, or contributing to community knowledge, getting proficient with Dune’s dashboard creation workflow unlocks powerful insights hidden within blockchain data. begin with simple queries and basic visualizations, then improve on them once you become comfortable with SQL and Dune’s data model.