# Layout and Editing

Source: https://help.zira.us/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing
Summary: Add widgets, adjust the layout, and keep the dashboard clear as it grows.
Updated: 2026-04-23

Use layout editing to control how the dashboard reads on screen.

This is where you decide how large widgets should be, which ones deserve priority, and how the dashboard should flow from top to bottom.

## Open layout editing

1. Open the dashboard.
2. Click **Dashboard options** next to the time range in the toolbar.
3. Click **Change Layout**.

The same menu is also where you can add widgets, change data sources, update dashboard settings, and open full screen.

![Dashboard options menu showing Add widget, Change Layout, Data sources, and other actions.](/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing/01-dashboard-options-menu.png)

## Change the working screen size

While you are editing the layout, you can switch the working size to match a device type such as mobile, tablet, or desktop.

Use this to preview how the layout behaves before you leave edit mode.

## Add a widget

1. Click **Dashboard options** next to the time range.
2. Click **Add widget**.
3. Choose the widget type you want.
4. Complete the widget setup form.
5. Save the widget.

After saving, the widget is added to the layout and can be moved or resized.

![Widget picker showing available dashboard widget types such as Data Table, KPI, Column, Bar, AI Insights, and more.](/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing/02-widget-picker.png)

Start with the widget type that best matches the question you want the dashboard to answer. For example:

- use **KPI** for a single headline number
- use **Column** or **Bar** for comparison
- use **Time series** for change over time
- use **AI Insights** when people need written explanation
- use **Header**, **Shortcuts**, or **Filters** for structure and navigation

## Reorder the page

As you arrange the dashboard:

- keep the most important widgets near the top
- group related widgets together
- avoid making every widget the same size
- leave enough space for larger tables and chart widgets

## Edit an existing widget

1. Open the widget menu.
2. Click **Edit**.
3. Update the widget settings.
4. Save the widget.

## Duplicate or remove a widget

Use the widget menu when you want to:

- duplicate a widget and adjust a variation
- remove a widget that is no longer needed

Duplicating is helpful when you want two similar widgets with different metrics, filters, or date behavior.

## Check the result after saving

Once a widget is saved, it appears directly on the dashboard.

![Dashboard showing a saved comparison widget after it was added.](/docs/dashboards/layout-and-editing/03-widget-added.png)

This is a good moment to decide whether the widget needs:

- a different size
- a different place on the page
- a clearer title
- or a second related widget beside it

## Use full screen and auto-update

The toolbar also supports:

- **Full screen** from **Dashboard options** > **Actions**
- **Auto update** from **Dashboard options** > **Data Preferences**

Use **Full screen** for presentation and focused monitoring. Use **Auto update** when a dashboard should refresh on a schedule.

## Read next

- [Data Research Widgets](/docs/dashboards/data-research-widgets) - Chart- and metric-focused widgets.
- [Utility and live widgets](/docs/dashboards/header-widget) - Start with Header, then review Shortcuts, Feed, Filter Widget, Streaming, and Data Streaming.