What are Scratchpads?

Scratchpads are a place to gather related insights. Text, images, Reports, Dashboards, and Cohorts can all be added to Scratchpads. When built with all of these components, users can create a story around investigatory workflows, their daily work, or other topics without needing to commit to building a Dashboard.

Create a Scratchpad

To navigate to the Scratchpad activity, first find the right-hand sidebar and then click the second icon. This will open the Scratchpad activity. Click "Create Scratchpad" to create your first Scratchpad. To rename your Scratchpad, double click the title and enter a new name.

Scratchpads can be expanded or minimized by clicking and dragging its edge.

Adding Content to a Scratchpad

Adding Images, Reports, Dashboards, or Cohorts to a Scratchpad

One way to add images, Reports, Dashboards, or Cohorts to a Scratchpad, is to use the plus (+) button. When a user choses to select an image, they will be brought to their file picker. For Reports, Dashboards, or Cohorts, users will be brought to Universal Search.

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Pro-Tip: You can use the images option to display gifs in Scratchpad

Users can also add Reports by opening the Report, using the Add To button, and selecting a Scratchpad. Reports added in this way will be added to the bottom of a Scratchpad, whereas Reports added with the plus (+) button will be added to the chosen location in the Scratchpad.

Dashboards and Cohorts can only be added via the plus (+) button, then selection from Universal Search. These will appear as links to the Dashboard or Cohort resource rather than a display like with Reports. This becomes powerful if the Dashboards or Cohorts are used frequently and referenced often. Having the direct link to a Dashboard or Cohort significantly cuts down on navigation time.

Adding Text to a Scratchpad

In a Scratchpad, text can be added anywhere between images, Reports, Dashboards, and Cohorts. Wherever a plus (+) button is seen, text can be added. Formatting options are the same as what's available on a Dashboard. Users can bolden, italicize, underline, and highlight text. They can also create headers, lists, horizontal line breaks, and add links.

Sharing Scratchpads

Scratchpads are private by default, but can be shared with other users. Sharing a Scratchpad is very similar to sharing a Dashboard. Unlike sharing a Dashboard, other users only have the option to be an editor. This means that if a Scratchpad is shared with others, they will always be able to change and update the original Scratchpad.

When a Scratchpad is shared with you, it will appear in a new section in the Scratchpad selection drop-down. This helps users keep Scratchpads made by themselves and others organized.