# Chart choice, device layouts and dashboard templates

*CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant Study Guide · Analytics Dashboard Design · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant/analytics-dashboard-design/chart-choice-device-layouts-and-dashboard-templates*

Picking widgets and chart types from the data, the bar-chart settings that fix crowding and show targets, filter widget types, themes and accessible colour, device layouts and how CRM Analytics chooses one, and when blank, traditional or smart dashboard templates fit.

- Certification: Salesforce CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant
- Exam section: Analytics Dashboard Design
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/crm-analytics-and-einstein-discovery-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Create appropriate dashboards to meet business requirements following CRM Analytics best practices and UX design principles.

## What the exam expects

- Choose number, chart and table widgets and a chart type from the insight the data must deliver, not for variety.
- Configure bar and column charts for crowded dashboards, groupings within bars and target lines (Auto Fit, stacked charts, reference lines).
- Pick the filter widget (date, list, toggle, range, global filter panel) from the field type being filtered.
- Keep widget styling consistent and accessible with themes, default widget properties and high-contrast colour.
- Create and edit device layouts, restore removed widgets, and predict which layout a device gets.
- Choose blank, traditional or smart dashboard templates, and know when a template can be applied.

Key terms: **layout** (one arrangement of a dashboard's widgets, with device properties that decide where it's used); **Unused Widgets** (dashboard widgets not placed on the current layout); **theme** (a set of style properties applied to all widgets at once); **smart template** (a dashboard template with a configuration wizard that builds a populated dashboard); **selection-based widget** (a date, list, range or toggle filter whose selections can drive bindings).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Default chart rule | Bar charts for values, line charts for trends | [Choose the Right Chart](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_chart_types.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Donut limit | No more than five slices | [Choose the Right Chart](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_chart_types.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Line chart limit | At most three lines | [Choose the Right Chart](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_chart_types.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Auto Fit | Fit shows all bars without scrolling; Preserve labels restores lost labels | [Bar Charts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_chart_intro_hbar.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Show Total | Net subtracts negatives; Absolute adds absolute values | [Bar Charts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_chart_intro_hbar.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Filter widgets | Date for dates; list or toggle for dimensions; range for measures | [Add Selectors](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_add_selectors_allow_filters) |
| Contrast | At least 3:1 between adjacent colours and the background | [Accessible Dashboards](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_accessibility.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Layout tie-break | Most recently defined layout wins | [Layout Rules](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_layout_rules.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Smart templates | Need Use Any API Client to list all datasets | [Create with a Template](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_create_flex.htm&language=en_US&type=5) |
| Template timing | Only while creating a dashboard | [Build Dashboards Quickly](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_build_powerful_dashboards_quickly) |

## Check yourself

- How many slices does Help allow in a donut chart?
- When does a widget dragged from Unused Widgets also appear in other layouts?
- Why use a global filter panel when several charts compare reps?
- What minimum contrast ratio does Help set between adjacent colours?
- Why does a new layout already contain pages?

## Sources

- [Choose the Right Chart for Your Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_chart_types.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Bar Charts](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_chart_intro_hbar.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Best Practices for Building Your Own CRM Analytics Dashboard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_build_tips.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Design Accessible CRM Analytics Dashboards](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_accessibility.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Generate Unique CRM Analytics Dashboard Layouts for Different Devices](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_layout_select_flex.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Rules for Choosing a Layout for a Device](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_layout_rules.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Create a CRM Analytics dashboard with a Template](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_create_flex.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Take CRM Analytics On the Go With Mobile Dashboards (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_take_analytics_on_the_go)
- [Charts and Tables: Visualizing Data Effectively (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_get_big_picture_with_charts_and_details_with_tables)
- [Add Key Metrics to Evaluate Your Business (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_add_key_metrics_evaluate_business)
- [Add Selectors That Allow Users to Filter the Dashboard (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_add_selectors_allow_filters)
- [Build Powerful Dashboards Quickly with CRM Analytics (Trailhead)](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/wave_dashboard_designer_basics/wave_build_powerful_dashboards_quickly)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 15 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams