# Your first analysis

> Go from an empty Home page to a first chart on the canvas.

Getting started · 3 min read · Updated 2026-09-25

An analysis is a project that holds a dataset, the charts you build on it, and any dashboards or stories you assemble. Here's how to get from zero to a first chart.

![Connect to Data view with the Upload files tab selected. The drop zone reads "Drag and drop your files here, or click to browse from your computer" with a Browse files button and the supported formats Parquet, CSV, JSON, TSV, Excel. A Google Sheets card appears under "Cloud spreadsheets" with a Sign in with Google button.](https://app.goldenanalytics.com/api/help/public-image?object=3733245f-05b8-4f3e-9c07-4dd56465568c%2F1789303260473-2026-09-13_08-40-36.gif)

*The Upload files tab. Drop a CSV, Parquet, JSON, TSV, or Excel file here or browse from your computer.*

## Create an analysis

1. From Home, click Start an analysis (or the ⊕ Create button in the sidebar, then Analysis). This opens a new analysis project and lands you on the Connect-to-data screen.
2. Drag a file onto the drop zone — or click Browse files. Parquet, CSV, JSON, TSV, and Excel are supported. You can also pick a warehouse, Google Sheet, or sample dataset from the same screen.
3. Wait for Processing your data… to finish. Single-table datasets open in Discover; multi-table datasets land in Connect so you can review the schema first.

## Build your first dashboard

1. From the Discover page, click on any of the suggested questions, quick insights or suggested visualizations to create your first dashboard
2. When you're on a Dashboard, you can modify the dashboard in multiple ways.1. Drag and drop. Drag a field from the fields pane onto an existing chart to modify that chart or drag it onto an empty spot of the dashboard to create a new chart. 2. Chat. You can type in what you want in the chat box at the bottom of the AI pane. For example, you can ask for "Show me sales by month and by category"3. Directly on the canvas. Click on an empty area of the dashboard to bring up the menu to add new charts and new components.
3. To modify an existing chart, just click on it and select the chart toolbar on the upper right of the chart. This will allow you to modify the fields in the chart, the chart type, formatting, and more. You can also click the chat toolbar icon to ask the AI to make the changes for you.
4. You can resize, move, or delete any chart component by interacting with it directly in the canvas. You can also right click on the component for additional options

## Sharing your dashboard with others

There are multiple ways to share your work. From exporting the dashboard to Google Slides, PDF or PowerPoint, to inviting others to collaborate on your analysis, to publishing your work for others to consume.

1. On the upper right of the dashboard, you can click on the Export button to;a. Copy of an image of your dashboard.b. Export the data or the content to PDF, Slides, PowerPoint,c. Share via Slack
2. Click the invite button to add other users to collaborate with you on your analysis. They will be able to edit/modify this dashboard with you.
3. Publish to consumers. Press the 'draft' button to change the state of your dashboard to be published. You will need to have this dashboard available in a space that others have permissions to access.

> **Tip:** Open the AI Analyst pane from the toolbar and ask in plain language — it can suggest charts, change encodings, and explain what's in the data.

> **Note:** Your analysis saves automatically every 10 seconds while you work, and again when you navigate away. The header shows Just saved or Saved Xs ago so you always know where you stand.

Source: https://goldenanalytics.com/docs/first-analysis