
Use the shared editor when you create or update data sources that are built as structured forms.

This editor is used for flows such as **Custom**, **PLC Connector**, and **Aggregator**. It lets you define the schema, adjust settings, and preview the result before you save.

## Open the editor

1. Open a channel.
2. Click the **Data Sources** tab.
3. Click **Add Data Source**.
4. Select **Custom**, **PLC Connector**, or **Aggregator**.

You can also open the same editor when you edit an existing data source from the table.

## What you can do here

- Set the title and description for the data source.
- Add fields from the always-visible field toolbar.
- Organize fields, select multiple fields, and apply conditional display.
- Open **More settings** for publish targets, connected data sources, and behavior options.
- Preview the structure while you work.
- Use **AI Assist** to generate a first draft for the schema.
- Save when you are done, or discard unsaved changes if you want to return to the last saved version.

## How the editor is organized

The editor is split into two main areas:

- The left panel is the working area where you define the data source.
- The right panel is the preview area so you can check the layout before saving.
- When AI Assist is open, it appears as a third panel with an AI-themed background.

On smaller screens, use **Show Preview** to switch between editing and preview.

## Read next

- [AI Assist](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/ai-assist) - Generate and apply a first draft.
- [Layout and Preview](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/layout-and-preview) - Main editing areas.
- [Fields and Structure](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/fields-and-structure) - Add and organize fields.
- [More Settings](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/advanced-settings) - Site, publish, connection, and save behavior.
- [Expressions and Validation](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/expressions-and-validation) - Advanced calculated and validated fields.


Use the shared data-source editor to build custom, PLC Connector, and Aggregator data sources with fields, settings, live preview, and AI-assisted drafting.

Create and Edit


Use **Dashboard AI Assistant** when you want help understanding a dashboard or changing the dashboard itself.

The assistant opens from the dashboard toolbar and has two modes:

- **Ask** answers questions about the current dashboard data.
- **Build** makes dashboard changes from your request.

## Open Dashboard AI Assistant

1. Open a dashboard outside edit mode.
2. Click the **AI Assistant** icon in the dashboard toolbar.
3. Choose **Ask** or **Build** in the assistant panel.

The assistant opens as a panel on the right side of the dashboard, so you can keep the current widgets in view while you work.

![The Dashboard AI Assistant panel open in Ask mode beside a live dashboard](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/01-ask-mode-suggestions.png)

## Ask about the dashboard

Use **Ask** when you want a plain-language answer based on the dashboard widgets and the selected time range.

You can ask about anything visible on the dashboard, for example:

- what stands out right now
- what changed in this time range
- where performance is strongest or weakest
- which line is falling behind
- what deserves attention first

Good questions usually work best when they focus on one clear job:

- summarize this dashboard
- explain what changed in this time range
- identify unusual spikes or drops
- compare performance between groups
- call out the most important risks

The assistant also shows suggestion chips you can use as a starting point. Select one when you want to move quickly, then refine the wording if needed.

If the answer is too broad, ask again with a narrower outcome or a more specific comparison.

## Build or revise the dashboard

Use **Build** when you want AI to create or revise the dashboard structure from a plain-language request.

You can ask for:

- a KPI overview
- a comparison dashboard
- a mobile-friendly layout
- a dashboard based on available data
- changes to the current dashboard widgets and layout
- one new widget
- a reorganization of the current page
- a change to widget order or screen layout

The panel suggests example build prompts, so you do not need to start from a blank input.

![Dashboard AI Assistant in Build mode](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/02-build-mode-suggestions.png)

## Send a build request

1. Switch to **Build**.
2. Type what you want to create or change, or choose one of the suggested prompts.
3. Send the request and wait while the assistant prepares the draft.

The assistant keeps your request visible in the conversation so it is easy to compare the result with what you asked for.

![Build request in progress](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/03-build-thinking-state.png)

## Review the change before saving

When the draft is ready, the dashboard shows an **AI draft preview** and the panel explains what changed.

Review these parts carefully:

- the dashboard title and description
- the widgets that will be created, updated, or removed
- the order of the dashboard story
- whether the result matches your request

The preview stays local until you decide what to do next.

![AI draft preview on the dashboard](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/04-build-draft-preview.png)

The panel also lists the widget changes, such as which widgets are new and which existing widgets are being updated.

![Widget changes listed in the AI Assistance panel](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/05-build-widget-changes.png)

## Apply the draft

When the draft looks right:

1. Click **Apply** in the draft preview.
2. Review the updated dashboard.
3. Save the dashboard if you want to keep the change.

If the result is not right, discard the draft and send a more specific request.

![Applied KPI overview dashboard](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/06-applied-kpi-overview.png)

## Ask follow-up questions after building

After you apply the draft, switch back to **Ask** when you want the assistant to explain the updated dashboard.

This is a good way to validate the result, summarize the new dashboard for other users, or check whether the new layout answers the question you had in mind.

![Dashboard summary answer in Ask mode](/docs/ai-assistance/dashboard-ai-assistant/07-ask-answer-summary.png)

## Tips

- Use **Ask** when you want an explanation or summary.
- Use **Build** when you want dashboard edits.
- Start with one clear change, then refine with another request if needed.
- Mention the business goal, not only the widget type.
- Keep each request focused on one question or one dashboard change.
- Review the draft before you apply it.
- Save the dashboard after applying the result you want to keep.

## Read next

- [AI Insights](/docs/ai-assistance/widget-ai-assist) - Ask questions about one data research widget.
- [AI Agents](/docs/ai-agents/reusable-agents) - Save a repeatable AI reporting workflow.
- [Data Research Widgets](/docs/dashboards/data-research-widgets) - Refine or replace widgets after the AI draft is applied.


Use Dashboard AI Assistant to ask questions about dashboard data, generate dashboard changes, review the draft, and apply the result when it looks right.

Dashboard AI Assistant


Use **Aggregator** when you want one data source to combine or summarize readings from other sources.

## Choose Aggregator

1. Open a channel.
2. Click the **Data Sources** tab.
3. Click **Add Data Source**.
4. Choose **Aggregator**.

![Add Data Source dialog showing Aggregator as one of the available types.](/docs/data-sources/aggregator-data-source/01-type-selection.png)

## Continue with the setup

After creation, continue into the next setup step to define how the aggregator should collect, combine, or summarize values from other data sources.

This is a good option when the goal is to create one summarized view instead of capturing raw readings directly.

Typical uses include:

- combining related values from multiple sources
- building a summary record for reporting
- creating one cleaner output for dashboards or automation

## Read next

- [Create and Edit](/docs/data-sources/create-and-edit/overview) - Shared editor details when the flow uses the structured editor.
- [Data Sources Tabs](/docs/data-sources/channel-data-sources) - Open the configured data source from the site or channel list.
- [Create a Data Source](/docs/data-sources/create-a-data-source) - Return to the create flow overview.


Create an Aggregator when you want one data source to combine or summarize readings from other sources.

Browse Guides

Create and Edit

Open the editor

What you can do here

How the editor is organized

Read next