Audience: Developers, Analysts, Technical Leads
Tools covered: DevExpress Dashboard (WinForms, Web, Blazor, React, Angular), SQL Server, Dashboard Designer, Dashboard Viewer
Prerequisites:
- Basic understanding of C# / .NET / JavaScript if Applicable)
- Knowledge of SQL querying
- Familiarity with DevExpress components (recommended but not required)
Module 1 — Introduction to Dashboards
Objectives:
- Understand what dashboards are and when they provide value.
Topics:
- Overview of DevExpress Dashboard Architecture (Client-Side / Server-Side)
Module 2 — Training Resources and Environment Setup
Topics:
- Documentation, Samples, and API references
- Installing Dashboard Designer (Desktop)
- Configuring Web Dashboard Designer (ASP.NET / Blazor / XAF Web)
- Project structure and deployment options
Module 3 — Data Connections
Topics:
- Supported Data Sources (SQL, Excel, JSON, EF, Web API, Object Binding)
- Managing Data Source Storage
- Connection Strings & Security considerations
- Using DevExpress Dashboard Data Source Wizard
Module 4 — Working with SQL Queries
Topics:
- Creating and editing SQL data sources
- Using Stored Procedures, Table-Valued Functions
- Using the Query Designer (visual & text modes)
- Best practices for performance and parameterized queries
Module 5 — Building Your First Dashboard
Topics:
- Dashboard layout fundamentals (Panels, Groups, Tabs)
- Adding Visual Components (Charts, Grids, KPIs, Cards, Maps, Gauges)
- Data Binding (Measures, Dimensions, Summaries)
Module 6 — Filtering & User Interaction
Topics:
- Global Filters vs. Per-Widget Filters
- Using Parameters for Dynamic Filtering
- Master-Detail filtering between dashboard items
- Drill Down and Drill Through behaviors
Module 7 — Calculations & Advanced Data Transformations
Topics:
- Calculated Fields
- Window Functions (Running Totals, Moving Averages, Rankings)
- Expression Editor (functions, conditions, formatting rules)
Module 8 — Visual Customization & UI Enhancements
Topics:
- Custom Color Schemes
- Conditional Formatting
- Layout Optimization for Desktop vs. Web
- Dashboard Themes and Branding
Module 9 — Advanced Concepts
Topics:
- Custom Dashboard Items (Extend Visualization Library)
- JavaScript Extensions and Viewer Interactions
- Underlying Data Access Permissions (Security considerations)
Module 10 — Deployment, Sharing, and Performance
Topics:
- Publishing Dashboards to Web Server
- Data update strategies (caching, real-time dashboards)
- Performance diagnostics and optimization tips
Exercise: Deploy dashboard to a test web environment.
Final Project
Participants will design a complete dashboard solution:
- Choose dataset (Sales, HR, Inventory, Operations, etc.)
- Create interactive dashboard with filters and KPIs
- Apply styling and conditional formatting
- Present design decision rationale
Outcome
By the end of this training, participants will:
✔ Understand dashboard design strategy & visual analytics principles
✔ Be able to create and deploy dashboards for desktop and web
✔ Filter and interact with live business data effectively
✔ Perform advanced visual customization and extensions
✔ Integrate dashboards within their apps
Dashboards Out!