If you spend too much time hunting for the same numbers in Salesloft reports, or if you’re tired of staring at dashboards that don’t actually answer your questions, this one’s for you. Whether you’re a sales manager, an ops person, or just the unofficial “data wrangler,” this guide cuts through the noise and shows you how to actually build custom reporting dashboards in Salesloft—without wasting hours or banging your head against vague documentation.
Let’s get you a dashboard that works for you, not just for your boss’s next meeting.
Before You Start: What’s Possible (and What’s Not)
Before we roll up our sleeves, let’s set expectations. Salesloft dashboards are pretty flexible, but they’re not a blank slate like Tableau or Power BI. You can customize which reports you see, how they’re organized, and (to some extent) which data gets piped in. But you can’t create wild, cross-object mashups or run SQL queries.
You can: - Choose from a set of pre-built reports and visualizations. - Filter and segment data (users, teams, timeframes, etc.). - Arrange and resize dashboard widgets. - Build multiple dashboards for different purposes.
You can’t: - Build fully custom charts from scratch. - Combine data from outside Salesloft (unless you use third-party tools). - Automate complex calculations or formulas.
If you need that level of flexibility, you’ll need to export data or look at integrations. But for most day-to-day reporting, Salesloft dashboards get the job done—if you set them up right.
Step 1: Get Clear on What You Actually Need
Don’t just start adding widgets for the sake of it. What questions are you trying to answer? “Show me activity by rep this week” is clear. “More visibility” is not.
Ask yourself: - Who is the dashboard for? (Team leads, reps, execs, yourself?) - What decisions will it help them make? - What metrics actually matter—and which are just vanity stats?
Pro tip: Write down your top 3–5 “must-have” questions before you even log in. Resist the urge to track everything. The more focused your dashboard, the more useful it’ll be.
Step 2: Check Your Permissions
Not everyone can create dashboards in Salesloft. Make sure you have the right permissions. Typically, you’ll need to be an admin or have custom reporting rights. If you can’t see the dashboards section, talk to your admin—don’t waste 20 minutes clicking around hoping it’ll magically appear.
Step 3: Access the Dashboards Area
Once you’re in, here’s how to get to the dashboards:
- Log into Salesloft.
- In the main navigation, look for “Analytics” or “Reporting”—the naming may vary depending on your version.
- Click “Dashboards.” You’ll land on the default dashboard (usually “My Dashboard” or “Team Overview”).
If you don’t see “Dashboards,” double-check permissions. Sometimes, the feature is only enabled for certain roles.
Step 4: Create a New Dashboard
Ready to start fresh? Here’s how:
- Click the “+ New Dashboard” button (usually at the top right).
- Give your dashboard a clear, specific name. (“Q3 SDR Activity” beats “Test 1.”)
- Set visibility: Private (just you), shared with a team, or organization-wide. If you’re experimenting, keep it private for now.
Honest tip: Don’t go overboard with public dashboards. Too many shared dashboards just clutter things up for everyone.
Step 5: Add and Arrange Widgets (Reports)
This is the meat of it. Salesloft offers a bunch of pre-built widgets—think call activity, email open rates, cadence performance, etc.
To add widgets: 1. Click “Add Widget” or “Add Report.” 2. Browse the available options. Pick the ones that answer your must-have questions. 3. For each widget, you can usually: - Filter by user/team: See everyone’s data, or just yours. - Set timeframes: Today, this week, month-to-date, custom range. - Adjust visualization: Table, bar chart, pie chart—depending on the widget.
Arranging widgets: - Drag and drop widgets to reorder them. - Resize to focus on what matters (make important charts bigger, hide the fluff). - Delete any default widgets you don’t need.
What works: Start small. Add just 2–3 widgets, get them right, then expand. A cluttered dashboard is a dashboard nobody uses.
What doesn’t: Don’t try to cram every metric into one screen. You’ll end up with noise, not insight.
Step 6: Filter, Segment, and Tweak
Here’s where you tailor things for your team or use case.
- Apply filters: Want to see just one team’s results? Filter by team or role. Need a “last 30 days” view? Set a custom range.
- Segment data: Some widgets let you break down by cadence, call type, disposition, etc.
- Save your filters: If you want this same view every time you open the dashboard, save your filter settings.
Pro tip: If you need to see the same dashboard for different teams or reps, make a template dashboard first. Then duplicate it and change the filters for each group.
Step 7: Share and Schedule
Once your dashboard is dialed in, it’s time to share it—or keep it to yourself.
- Share: Use the “Share” or “Permissions” option to add teammates. You can make it read-only or let others edit, depending on your goals.
- Schedule emails: Some dashboards let you schedule a recurring email with a snapshot of the data (e.g., every Monday at 8am). If that’s useful for your crew, set it up so people don’t have to remember to log in.
What to ignore: Don’t rely solely on emailed dashboards. The real value is in exploring the data, not just glancing at a static chart.
Step 8: Keep It Updated (Without Losing Your Mind)
Salesloft dashboards update automatically as new data comes in, but they won’t stay relevant if your sales process changes. Make a note to revisit your dashboards every month or quarter:
- Are the metrics still useful?
- Is any widget always ignored?
- Has your team changed how they work (new cadences, new roles, etc.)?
If something’s not helpful, cut it. Nobody gets a badge for maintaining a 12-widget monstrosity.
What If You Need More Than Salesloft Offers?
Here’s the straight talk: Salesloft dashboards are good for “what happened” reporting (activity counts, outcomes, basic trends). If you need to:
- Blend Salesloft data with Salesforce, HubSpot, or other tools
- Build complex, multi-step funnels
- Do deep analysis or custom calculations
…you’re better off exporting the data (CSV or via API) and using a proper BI tool. There are also integration platforms and middleware (like Tray.io or Zapier) if you need to automate getting data elsewhere. But that’s a whole other can of worms.
Pro Tips and Common Pitfalls
Do: - Start with just one or two dashboards. - Name dashboards and widgets clearly (“SDR Weekly Calls” not “Widget 7”). - Ask your team what’s actually useful—don’t guess. - Use time filters to keep things focused.
Don’t: - Treat dashboards as a replacement for 1:1s or coaching. - Assume everyone interprets metrics the same way—add notes if needed. - Ignore privacy/visibility settings—be careful with sensitive data.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Tweak As You Go
You don’t need a dashboard that does everything. You need one that answers your main questions quickly—so you can get back to the real work. Start small, see what sticks, and don’t be afraid to delete what isn’t working. Salesloft dashboards aren’t perfect, but with a little discipline, they’ll save you a ton of clicks and confusion.
Remember: the best dashboard is the one people actually use. Keep it tight and tweak it as your team (or your questions) change. Happy reporting!