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Data apps ​

Data apps

When you write dashboards and reports with Observable Framework, our open-source static site generator, you can connect them to Observable Cloud to keep the data fresh and loading fast.

Screenshot an Observable Framework dashboard and the corresponding text editor.

You can build your data app locally and deploy it to Observable to share it and see analytics about who’s viewing it. Or, you can run the builds in the cloud, so your data loaders run automatically and your snapshots are always up-to-date. Learn more:

  • Building & deploying — When you connect your app to a GitHub repository, you can build and deploy it on commit, on schedule, and manually.
    • Build environment — Cloud builds run in a Docker container running Debian and dependencies you install.
    • GitHub — Your app stays in sync with your repository.
    • Secrets — Data loaders can use secrets to load private data and control exactly what results your viewers see.
    • Segmentation (beta) — Enterprise workspaces can build parallel versions of their app for different viewers with different data.
    • Schedules — Even when your code doesn’t change, live data will, so you can set your apps to rebuild daily or weekly.
  • Sharing - Share with individuals, your workspace, anyone with a secret link, your organization’s SSO, or the public.
  • Analytics - See which pages are being viewed over time and who in your workspace frequents which ones.
  • Security — Enterprise workspaces can configure an on-premises environment so your data never leaves your network.

To get started, create a data app or see examples.