How to Use Qlik Sense

Getting started with Qlik Sense

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Qlik Sense and start exploring your data with its associative engine. You'll be able to create your first visualisation and discover insights from your datasets.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to the Qlik Sense website.
2. Click on the "Get started for free" button.
3. Fill in your details to create an account. You may need to verify your email address.
4. Once logged in, you’ll be taken to the Qlik Sense Hub. Click on "Create app" to start a new project.

Step 2: Your first data exploration

1. After creating your app, click on the app tile to open it.
2. Click on "Add data" in the top right corner.
3. Choose your data source (e.g., Excel, CSV, or connect to a database). Follow the prompts to upload your data.
4. Once your data is loaded, click on "Sheet" in the left menu.
5. Drag and drop fields from the data panel onto the sheet to create visualisations. For example, drag a dimension like "Sales Region" and a measure like "Total Sales" to create a bar chart.
6. Click "Done" in the top right corner to save your sheet.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the "Filter pane" to interact with your visualisations. You can add filters to narrow down data points.
2. Explore the "Associative Insights" feature by clicking on any data point in your visualisation. This shows related data points across your dataset.
3. Adjust your visualisation settings by clicking on the "Properties" panel on the right to change colours, labels, and chart types.

Pro tip

Use the "Storytelling" feature to present your findings. Click on "Stories" in the left menu, then "Create story" to compile your visualisations into a narrative format for sharing with your team.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid loading too much data at once. Start with a smaller dataset to familiarise yourself with the interface and features before scaling up. This will help prevent performance issues and confusion.