# Create a Dashboard

Source: https://help.zira.us/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard
Summary: Create a dashboard from the dashboards list, choose its basic settings, attach data sources, and open it for the first time.
Updated: 2026-03-29

Create a dashboard when you want a new operational view for data, tasks, feed activity, or AI-driven insights.

## Start from the dashboards list

Open the channel where you want the dashboard to live, then open **Dashboards**.

This page shows the dashboards that already exist in that channel.

![Dashboards tab showing the list of existing dashboards.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/01-dashboards-list.png)

## Start a new dashboard

You can create dashboards from the **Dashboards** tab of a channel.

1. Open a channel.
2. Click the **Dashboards** tab.
3. Use the add action.
4. Choose to create a new dashboard.

![Add Dashboard dialog showing the name, description, privacy, and editing options.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/02-add-dashboard-dialog.png)

## Fill in the dashboard details

When the create dialog opens, complete the main setup:

1. Enter the dashboard **Name**.
2. Add an optional **Description**.
3. Decide whether the dashboard should be **Private**.
4. Decide whether **Enable Editing** should be on.
5. Click **Save**.

Keep the name clear and practical so the dashboard is easy to recognize later.

## Attach the data sources you want to use

After the dashboard opens, you can choose which data sources should be available inside it.

![Manage Data Sources dialog showing multiple selected data sources for the dashboard.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/03-manage-data-sources.png)

This is especially helpful when the dashboard should compare more than one line, device, or source in the same view.

## Choose a useful default time range

The default time range affects how widgets open the first time.

Choose a range that matches the dashboard purpose.

Examples:

- a recent range for live operational dashboards
- a wider range for trend and reporting dashboards

## What happens next

After the dashboard is created:

- it opens with its dashboard toolbar
- you can add widgets
- you can use the AI build flow if you want to add widgets, change layout, or shape the dashboard with plain-language requests
- you can adjust the layout
- you can return later and edit the dashboard settings

![Newly created dashboard opening in its empty state before widgets are added.](/docs/dashboards/create-a-dashboard/04-new-dashboard-empty-state.png)

## Read next

- [AI Dashboard Builder](/docs/dashboards/ai-dashboard-builder) - Add widgets, change layout, and update the dashboard with AI.
- [Layout and Editing](/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing) - Arrange the dashboard page.
- [Data Research Widgets](/docs/dashboards/data-research-widgets) - Choose the right first chart or KPI widgets.