Create fully customized charts in no time: introducing Smart Charts

We have recently launched a new addition to our range of Smart features in the form of Smart Charts. Read on to find out what they are, how you can create them, and what kind of complex business logic you can implement with them.

Data is key, regardless of the app that houses it. Visualizing and following metrics can be one of the most important actions a business can take in order to succeed — and since day-to-day operations are what can utilize such data the most, internal tools that support them need to be able to house even the most complex types of charts and visualizations.

In Forest Admin, users are able to utilize their data to the utmost and create multiple types of charts to showcase it and learn from it: from simple given-value charts, through record-specific charts, up to API-based ones, visualizing everything has never been easier — up until today, with the introduction of Smart Charts.

What are Smart Charts?

Smart Charts are a part of our Smart feature set, designed to give you access to complete customization when it comes to the business logic. Using Smart Charts, users are able to code complex use cases into chart form, unrestricted by the usual limitations of our other, simple chart types.

How can I create a Smart Chart?

Important: You need a Starter plan or above to create Smart charts

To get started with Smart Charts, all you have to do is go into your Layout Editor on the top right of your screen, add a new chart, and select the Smart Chart feature.

Next, click on Edit Smart Chart, and you’ll be taken to an editor with the Template, Component and Style tabs. Through these tabs, you can custom-code what your chart does and what it looks like. If you’re wondering what it’ll look like in its current state, all you have to do is click the Run code button, and the editor will render a view of your chart instantly.

Once you’re done, don’t forget to click on Create Chart (or Save if it’s already created), and there you have it — your custom-coded, own chart!

What kind of things can I create with Smart Charts?

The options are truly limitless — you can create the most complex and customized table charts, bar charts, density maps, or whatever else you have in mind. Even the example below was coded using Smart Charts.

If you don’t know where to get started or would like some inspiration, don’t fret — we’ve got detailed breakdowns of how you can create these various types of Smart Charts in our documentation.

Ready to dive deep into Smart Charts, or just looking for an awesome internal tool that lets you visualize data in a straightforward, easy way? Sign up for Forest Admin today, and get started — if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on our Developers Community, or through our website’s contact form.