> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-cloud-posture-management/dashboards-and-reports/monitor-dashboards-and-reports/create-dashboards/create-a-dashboard.md).

# Create a dashboard

Use the following high-level workflow to create and distribute a dashboard, guiding you from initial setup through layout design and distribution.

<figure><img src="/files/PDWGDigeXol6ZvmhayGQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open the dashboard builder

Depending on your starting point, open the dashboard builder as follows:

* **Build a dashboard from scratch:** Go to **Dashboards & reports > Dashboard Manager** and click **Create dashboard**.
* **Use a template:** Go to **Dashboards & reports > Dashboard Manager** and click **Create dashboard**. In the dashboard builder, click **Browse templates** to see the available options.
* **Duplicate an existing dashboard:** In the **Dashboard Manager**, right-click a dashboard and click **Duplicate.** Then locate the newly duplicated dashboard and **Edit** it to make changes. For more information about which dashboards can be duplicated, see [Access and sharing cheat sheet](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/dashboards-and-reports/monitor-dashboards-and-reports/access-and-visibility-for-dashboards-and-reports/access-and-sharing-cheat-sheet.md).
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Build your dashboard layout

1. **Add or remove widgets from your canvas:** Drag widgets directly onto the canvas from the **Widget Library**:
   * **Predefined Widgets:** Search the **Widget library** (filter by Owner, Category, Chart type, or data source) and drag your selected widgets onto the canvas. Click on a widget to see a graphical preview and configuration details.

     **Tip:** To find widgets that can be modified, select the **Editable widget only** option. These widgets can be duplicated and edited to suit your specific needs without starting from scratch.
   * **Custom Widgets:** If the library does not contain the widgets you require, you can create custom widgets using XQL queries, scripts, or generate them using AI. For more information, see [Create custom widgets](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/dashboards-and-reports/monitor-dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/create-custom-widgets.md).
2. (Optional) **Refine widget data:** For certain widgets you can refine the displayed data as follows:
   * **For agent-related widgets**: You can apply an endpoint scope to refine the displayed data to only show results from specific endpoint groups. Select the menu on the top right corner of the widget, select **Groups**, and select one or more endpoint groups.
   * **For case-related widgets**: You can refine the displayed data to only show results from cases that match a case starring configuration. A purple star indicates that the widget is displaying only starred cases. For more information, see \<Case starring>.
     {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure advanced interactivity

If your dashboard contains custom XQL widgets with defined parameters, you can add interactive elements to enhance your dashboard:

* **To add dashboard filters:** Follow the steps in [Configure Global Filters](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/dashboards-and-reports/monitor-dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/configure-global-filters.md).
* **To add drilldown actions:** Follow the steps in [Configure Drilldowns](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/dashboards-and-reports/monitor-dashboards-and-reports/advanced-configuration/configure-drilldowns.md).
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Finalize the layout

1. **Name your dashboard:** Enter a unique, descriptive name in the title field.
2. *(Optional)* **Add static text:** Click **Static Elements** to add headers, titles, or free text blocks.
3. **Arrange the layout:**
   1. Use the default **Fit to screen** layout, or select a specific screen or monitor size.
   2. In the **Settings** menu, arrange the widgets manually using the grid or select **Auto arrange layout**.

{% hint style="warning" %}
The carousel viewing format is no longer supported.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save and optionally define report settings

1. **Open save settings:** Click the **Save** button in the dashboard builder header.
2. **Add a description:** Provide a detailed description explaining the purpose of the dashboard to help other users identify its use case.
3. *(Optional)* **Save as a report template:** Click **Save as report** to create a report template based on the dashboard. You can also configure automated distribution settings, including email recipients, Slack notifications, delivery scheduling, and CSV data attachments.
   * **Configure timeframe:** Select the timeframe for the widget data.
   * **Configure automated distribution and scheduling settings:** including email recipients, Slack notifications, delivery, and scheduling.

     **Note:** To send reports to Slack, Slack must be configured as an external application. For more information, see [Integrate Slack for outbound notifications](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/onboard-and-configure/post-deployment-steps/set-up-your-environment/data-and-log-forwarding/forward-logs-and-data-from-cortex-cloud-to-external-services/configure-external-applications-for-forwarding/integrate-slack-for-outbound-notifications.md)
   * **Configure CSV data attachments:** Select Attach CSV to include raw data from XQL widgets.

     From the menu, select one or more of your custom widgets to attach to the report. The CSV files of the widgets are attached to the report along with the report PDF. Depending on how you selected to send the report, the CSV file is attached as follows:
   * **Email:** Sent as separate attachments for each widget. The total size of the attachment in the email cannot exceed 20 MB.
   * **Slack:** Sent within a ZIP file that includes the PDF file.
4. **Save the dashboard:** Click **Save** to commit all changes.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Share the dashboard

By default, all new custom dashboards are **Restricted** and visible only to you (the Owner). Once created, you can share the dashboard with specific users or groups, or make it Public to all authorized users.

**Note:** Sharing of custom dashboards must be enabled by your administrator. For more information, see [Manage access to objects](/cortex-cloud-posture-management/onboard-and-configure/post-deployment-steps/manage-user-roles-and-access-management/manage-access-to-objects.md).

**How to share a dashboard**

1. **Open share settings:** In the **Dashboard Manager** find the dashboard name and select **Share** from the right-click menu.
2. **Update your visibility settings:**
   * **To share globally:** Under **General access**, change the setting to **Public** so all authorized users in your organization can view it.
   * **To share selectively:** Keep the status as **Restricted**, add specific users or groups, and assign them a role (**Viewer** or **Editor**).
3. **Save your changes:** Click **Share** to apply your settings.
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}


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