KPI (Key Performance Indicator) summaries display your most important metrics in a clear, scannable format. Each KPI tile shows a primary value along with comparison data—making it easy to see performance at a glance.

What KPI Summaries Show

Each KPI tile displays:

Creating a KPI Summary

Step 1: Add KPI to Canvas

1. Open your canvas in edit mode
2. Click the + Add button in the toolbar
3. Select KPI from the object types
4. Click on the canvas where you want to place the KPI

Step 2: Configure the Metric

1. Select Dataset: Choose the dataset containing your metric
2. Choose Metric: Select the column to measure (e.g., Revenue, Count, etc.)
3. Set Aggregation: Sum, Average, Count, Min, or Max
4. Apply Filters: Optionally filter to specific segments

Step 3: Set Up Comparison

For time series data:

• Scoop automatically compares to the prior period
• Monthly data compares to previous month
• Weekly data compares to previous week
• Daily data compares to previous day

For non-time-series data:

• Set a target/reference value for comparison
• Enter the value you want to measure against

Step 4: Customize Display

• Title: Add a descriptive label (e.g., "Monthly Revenue", "Active Customers")
• Format: Set number formatting (currency, percentage, decimal places)
• Size: Resize the tile to fit your layout

Comparison Types

Time Series Comparisons

When your dataset has snapshot dates, KPIs automatically compare:

Example: If today's Active Deals is 142 and yesterday was 138, the KPI shows:

• Primary: 142
• Change: +4 (+2.9%)
• Indicator: ↑ Green

Reference Value Comparisons

For datasets without time series, set a target:

Example: If Revenue is $95,000 and target is $100,000, the KPI shows:

• Primary: $95,000
• Change: -$5,000 (-5%)
• Indicator: ↓ Red (below target)

KPI Best Practices

Choose Meaningful Metrics

Focus on metrics that:

• Drive business decisions
• Are actionable
• Change frequently enough to be worth monitoring
• Have clear "good" and "bad" directions

Good KPIs:

• Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
• Pipeline Value
• Conversion Rate
• Average Deal Size

Avoid:

• Vanity metrics with no action path
• Metrics that rarely change
• Metrics without context

Use Consistent Formatting

Group Related KPIs

Arrange KPIs in logical groups:

• Sales: Revenue, Deals, Win Rate, Cycle Time
• Marketing: Leads, MQLs, Conversion Rate, CAC
• Customer Success: Churn, NPS, Retention, Expansion

Consider Color Psychology

Scoop uses color to indicate performance:

• Green: Positive change / above target
• Red: Negative change / below target

Make sure your metric's direction makes sense:

• Revenue up = Green ✓
• Churn up = Should be Red (flip the comparison)
• Costs down = Green ✓

Layout Ideas

Executive Dashboard

Arrange 4-6 top-level KPIs across the top of your canvas:

┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│ Revenue  │ │ Pipeline │ │ Deals    │ │ Win Rate │
│ $1.2M ↑  │ │ $4.5M ↓  │ │ 47 ↑     │ │ 28% ↑    │
└──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘

     [Detailed charts and tables below]

Departmental Views

Create sections with department-specific KPIs:

Sales KPIs          │  Marketing KPIs
────────────────────│────────────────────
Revenue  Pipeline   │  Leads    MQLs
Deals    Win Rate   │  CAC      Conversion

Performance Cards

Large KPIs for wall displays or meetings:

┌─────────────────────────┐
│                         │
│     $1,247,500          │
│     Monthly Revenue     │
│     ↑ 12.3% vs LM       │
│                         │
└─────────────────────────┘

Connecting KPIs to Details

KPIs work best when users can drill into details:

1. Place KPI tiles at the top of your canvas
2. Add related charts below showing trends
3. Include tables with supporting detail data
4. Use consistent filters across all elements

Example Layout:

• Top: KPI showing "Deals Closed This Month: 47"
• Middle: Line chart showing deals closed over time
• Bottom: Table listing all 47 deals with details

Troubleshooting

KPI Shows Unexpected Value

• Check filters applied to the KPI
• Verify the aggregation type (Sum vs Count vs Average)
• Confirm the date range matches your expectation
• Look for data quality issues in the source dataset

Comparison Shows Wrong Period

• Verify the dataset has the expected date column
• Check that snapshot frequency matches your comparison expectation
• For non-time-series, confirm reference value is set correctly

Color Seems Wrong

• Some metrics should flip direction (lower is better)
• Check if your metric interpretation matches the color logic
• Consider if the comparison period is appropriate

Related Topics

• Interactive Charts and Tables - Add detail visualizations
• Sheetlets - Include editable spreadsheet data
• Presenting a Canvas - Share KPI dashboards with stakeholders