A data visualization tool turns rows of numbers into charts people can read at a glance. Dashboard Builder connects to MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, Google Sheets, Excel, CSV or PDF, lets you pick from 20+ chart types without writing code, and puts the result on a live dashboard you can share with a link or embed in your own PHP application. Run it on your own server, in the cloud or on Windows.
What a data visualization tool does
Data visualization is the practice of showing data as charts, maps and tables so that patterns, outliers and trends stand out. A data visualization tool does three jobs for you:
- Connects to data where it already lives: a database, a spreadsheet, a JSON feed or a PDF report.
- Shapes it with a query or a filter, so each chart answers one question.
- Draws and shares it as interactive charts on a dashboard that refreshes when the data changes.
Database visualization, no-code data visualization and data visualization software are all names for the same job. This page covers all three.
How to visualize your data in 5 steps
Connect a source. Pick MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle, SQLite or ODBC and enter the connection details, or upload Excel, CSV or PDF. A green check confirms the connection.
Write or generate the query. Use the SQL builder to choose tables and columns, or type the SQL yourself. For a quick start, the AI Dashboard Generator reads a file and builds the charts for you.
Choose the chart. Map columns to the X and Y axes and pick a chart type: line, bar, area, pie, donut, gauge, heatmap, Sankey, map and more.
Arrange the dashboard. Drag and resize panels, add KPI cards and filters, and set how often each chart refreshes.
Share or embed. Send a link, or generate PHP/HTML5 code and paste it into WordPress, Joomla, Laravel or any PHP page.
Which chart to use
| Question you want to answer | Best chart | Example |
|---|---|---|
| How did a value change over time? | Line or area chart | Monthly revenue for the last 24 months |
| Which category is biggest? | Bar or column chart | Sales by region |
| What share does each part have? | Pie or donut (5 slices or fewer) | Traffic by channel |
| Are we on target? | Gauge or KPI card | Orders today vs goal |
| Where do two things relate? | Scatter or bubble chart | Ad spend vs sign-ups |
| When is activity highest? | Heatmap | Support tickets by hour and weekday |
| How does volume flow between stages? | Sankey diagram | Visitors to trial to customer |
| Where is it happening? | Choropleth map | Customers by country |
See live examples in the dashboard gallery and the examples page.
Data you can visualize
Dashboard Builder reads from 25+ sources, so you can put a database table next to a spreadsheet on the same dashboard:
Each connection has its own guide in the data sources hub.
No-code vs coding a chart library
You can build charts by hand with a JavaScript chart library, but you then own the data access, the queries, the layout and every change request. A no-code tool handles that work:
| Chart library (hand-coded) | Dashboard Builder (no code) | |
|---|---|---|
| Connect to a database | Write and secure your own API | Built in, 25+ sources |
| Change a chart | Edit code, test, deploy | Edit in the browser |
| New chart type | Learn the library’s API | Pick from 20+ types |
| Embed in a PHP app | Yes, with your own code | Generated PHP/HTML5 code |
| Who can make changes | Developers | Analysts and developers |
Data visualization best practices
Requirements and installation (self-hosted)
- Windows, Linux or macOS with Apache or Nginx and PHP 7.4 or later.
allow_url_fopenenabled and the SimpleXML extension installed.- The PDO driver for your database (for example PDO_MySQL, PDO_PGSQL or PDO_SQLSRV).
- Write permission for the web server on the
data/andstore/folders (755 for folders, 644 for files).
Install with Composer:
composer create-project --no-dev dashboardbuilder/dashboardbuilder.net .or download the ZIP from the free trial page, unzip it into your web folder and open it in the browser. Full steps are in the documentation.
How to choose a data visualization tool
- Where must the data stay? If it can’t leave your servers, choose a self-hosted tool. Dashboard Builder runs on Windows, Linux or macOS with Apache or Nginx and PHP 7.4+.
- Who builds the charts? No-code editing lets analysts work without waiting for developers.
- How will people see them? A shared link, an embed inside your own app, or both.
- What does it cost per year? Per-user subscriptions add up. Self-hosted licences are a one-time payment: Essential $119, Professional $399, Enterprise $1,499.
Comparing tools? Read Dashboard Builder vs Power BI, the Tableau alternative and the Metabase alternative pages. For the bigger picture of reports, KPIs and decision-making, see BI dashboards.
Frequently asked questions
Build your first dashboard in minutes
Upload Excel, CSV or PDF to the free AI Dashboard Generator, or download the self-hosted free trial and connect your database.
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