Package: dashboard-builder
Dashboard BuilderDocumentationThedashboard-builderis a Python package designed to help you create interactive web dashboards with minimal effort, while still giving youfull accessto the underlining web framework supporting it - which isFlask. So whether you're looking to visualize datasets, create dynamic reports, or provide interactive analytics, this library streamlines the process, letting you focus on the data and logic, while it takes care of the presentation.Our intended audience for this tool are python developers or data scientists that needs direct access to the web framework (e.g.,Flask) because of large amounts of custom code or required functionality, but still want a simple way of creating dashboards, similar toStreamlit,DashorShiny- which make it harder to configure or customize the web framework. Flask is one of the most un-oppinionated web frameworks for python, which makes it a great choice.Positioning of Dashboard Builder in the Data Visualization EcosystemIn the vast landscape of data visualization tools, Dashboard Builder has carved out a unique and essential space for developers and data professionals. Dashboard Builder is for those who seek the balance between flexibility and ease-of-use, offering a middle-ground solution that doesn't compromise on power or versatility. Here's how it fits in:Starting From Scratch: Web FrameworksAt one end of the spectrum, there are the barebone web frameworks like Flask, Django, or FastAPI. These frameworks provide enormous flexibility, allowing developers to build almost anything they envision. However, this often comes at the cost of starting from scratch. For many, the complexity of setting up, designing, and integrating multiple components is a hurdle, especially when the primary goal is to visualize and interact with data efficiently.High-level Visualization Tools: Tableau and Power BIOn the opposite end, there are high-level visualization platforms like Tableau or Power BI. These tools empower users to create dashboards by simply dragging and dropping. But this ease of use can come with limitations. Custom visualizations or interactions might not be feasible, and these platforms can come with hefty price tags.Middle-Ground Tools: Shiny, Streamlit, Dash, and othersSomewhere in between, tools like Shiny, Streamlit, Dash, and Gradio have emerged. They offer Python or R developers the ability to quickly create interactive web applications with minimal web development. However, they often abstract away too much of the underlying structure. This abstraction can limit developers from customizing or extending their apps in ways not natively supported by these platforms.Dashboard Builder: The Goldilocks ZoneThis is where Dashboard Builder shines. It occupies what we like to call the "Goldilocks Zone." It's not as raw and challenging as starting with pure web frameworks, yet it doesn't confine you within rigid structures like high-level tools. At the same time, it offers more control and flexibility than middle-ground tools. With Dashboard Builder, developers retain the ability to modify and customize components to their needs, integrating various visualization libraries and web components. Yet, they don't have to grapple with the foundational setup, making it easier and faster to get started.Key Features:Native Visualizations with Familiar Tools:Dashboard Builder empowers users to craft visuals using the full functionality of industry-standard libraries likeMatplotlib,Plotly, andAltair. This means no compromises, no curbed features—just pure, unadulterated visual storytelling as these libraries intended.No coding for HTML, CSS, or JSOnce you've created your visualization, there's typically the daunting task of embedding it within a web interface, which requires wrangling with HTML, CSS, or even JavaScript. The dashboard builder removes this step, letting you focus solely on Python. With just your Python skills, you can craft a web-responsive, interactive, and visually appealing dashboard. But if you need to, you can still access the HTML, CSS, and JS to customize the dashboard to your needs.ModernStylingwith Tailwind:Leveraging the power of Tailwind CSS, Dashboard Builder offers dynamic and mobile-responsive layouts that ensure your visuals look vibrant and engaging across all devices. From widescreen monitors to compact mobile views, your dashboards will always adapt gracefully and retain their modern aesthetic appeal.Growing Component Library:Input Elements:Single selectRadio buttonSliderFree textOutput Elements:VisualizationsAltairMatplotlibPlotlyMarkdownFree textImagesTextMarkdownContainer Related Elements:ColumnExpanderStyle Themes:Default (light)DarkPinkBlueRedYellowGreenDefault and custom templatesCurrently have two default templates to choose between for a dashboard page:base: contains a side-bar (on left hand side for placing interactive widgets) and a main output viewbase_nosidebar: contains a main output view only, no side bar; helpful for view-only dashboards with no need to interactivityCustom TemplatesYou can create your own custom template and load it in. Generally speaking, you can make the template look however you want.The default base template that we use, that you can modify however you want isfound hereYou can then then set the custom folder where the template exists with thedashboard_builder.configparameter, and then call theget_dashboard_template_customfunction to use your own template!Example DashboardsComplex example of Hospital and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Data for Long Island, New York. It is deployed via GCP Cloud Run,please click here. The associated github source code for this repo can found herehttps://github.com/hantswilliams/dashboard-builder-cms-longisland.To do:Add more output visualization components that include:FoliumGGPlotBokehSeabornAdd more input components that might include:Date pickerFile uploadCheckboxMulti-selectColor pickerNumber inputAddress matplotlib issue for rendering on web frameworkAdd initial input componentsAdd initial output componentsCreate test filesAdd github actions for linting and secret checksCreate build scriptCreate at least one basic 'base' template for the dashboard viewIncorporate some form of state management systemCreate a simple app examplesUpdate below markdown/readme, double check it to make sure aligns with APICreate docusuraus documentation siteCreate video tutorials