Data Objects - Getting Started

5 min read · Updated 23 Oct 2026

Introduction to Data Objects

Data Objects

When you’re building an Astrato workbook, you’ll add Data Objects to a sheet to display and manage your data. Data objects are split into two categories - Visualizations and Controls (Table 1).

Note: If you see an image that is greyed out, it means the object is being developed and will be added soon.

Table 1: Data Objects

Visualizations are data objects which display data from the data view powering your workbook.

Using Tables: Straight, Expandable, and Pivot
Number
Using Charts: Bar, Line, Pie, Progress, Scatter, Combo, and Heatmap.

Controls are data objects which manage visualizations.

Filter

Getting Started

You’ll find data objects in the workbook editor toolbar (Figure 1).

Click the data object icon to open the menu.
Click the object you want to use, or drag it onto the sheet.
Click and hold to move the object within the sheet. You can also drag the edges to resize the object.

Figure 1: Add Data Object

Properties Panel

Once you’ve added the data object, its settings will be displayed in the properties panel. You can use these settings to add your own data and apply changes to the object’s appearance.
You’ll notice there are two tabs in the properties panel:
One is the tab with the visualization type, in this tab there are all the unique settings for the specific visualization including defining the data for it.

The other is the frame and it includes all the general settings that are shared between all data objects. This tab is called Frame, to learn more about the settings in this section check this article.

Visualization

In Figure 2, we use the Data tab to apply a Dimension (a group of data values used to construct the chart) and a Measure (a unit used to calculate data in the chart) from the data set, replacing the test values. Switching to the Style tab, we change the Chart Type and select a Color Palette using the options in the Color menu.

Figure 2: Visualization

Controls

In Figure 3 we see a control (a filter in this example) applied to the visualization and managing the appearance of the pie chart. Once the filter is applied, only the selected dimensions (Catalog and Government) channels are displayed.

Figure 3: Control

Settings

There are several categories of settings for Astrato data objects, which are displayed in the properties panel when you select the data object. We’ve listed the settings available for each data object in Table 2.

Table 2: Data Object Settings

Visualizations

Settings

Table

Data, Style, Layout

Number, Pie Chart, Progress Chart

Data, Style

Bar Chart, Line Chart, Scatter Chart, Combo Chart, Heatmap Chart

Data, Style, Axis

Controls

Settings

Filter

Data, Style

Data settings are where you manage the data powering the visualization, adding fields from the data view as dimensions (the type of data you’re displaying) and measures (the quantity of each dimension value). In addition, some data objects will have extra settings like adding Labels and Tooltip, displaying Reference Lines and also applying sorting or limiting functions.

Style settings control the look and feel of your chart. In the Chart settings, you can select a chart type, and there’s even a Design Inspiration function to show you examples if you’re not sure. The Color settings are designed to apply changes in a couple of clicks, either with the color picker or by choosing from a range of pre-defined palettes. There are also specific settings for each data object, including adding a Legend and selecting the Appearance of a data point.

Axis settings control the appearance of the axis for several data objects (see Table 1 above), where you can manage elements like your axis Title and Labels, define an axis Range and add Gridlines.

Layout settings are currently only used with table data objects and control settings for text in table cells.

Linked Objects

The Linked Object feature in Astrato empowers creators to build and maintain data apps with greater efficiency and consistency. By enabling the reuse of buttons and visualizations across an app, it ensures faster updates and streamlined workflows, making it a powerful tool for guided analytics and OEM data products.

With Linked Objects, any updates to the original object are automatically applied to all linked instances—saving time and ensuring uniformity across your app.

Linked Object/Visualization in Astrato

Overview

With Linked Objects, any updates to the original object are automatically applied to all linked instances—saving time and ensuring uniformity across your app.

Key Benefits

Time Efficiency: Reuse visual elements across your app without recreating them.
Easy Maintenance: Make updates in one place, and they’ll apply everywhere the object is used.
Consistency: Keep your data app interface consistent by linking shared elements.

How to Use Linked Objects

1. Copy an Object

To create a linked object, follow these steps:

Select the object (e.g., button, visualization) you want to reuse.
Open the context menu (right-click or click the options menu).
Choose Copy.

2. Paste as Linked

Once the object is copied:

Navigate to the location where you want to reuse the object.
Open the context menu and select Paste as Linked.

The object will now be linked to the original. Any changes made to the original will automatically be reflected in the linked instance.

Editing Linked Objects

Centralized Updates: Linked objects are edited in a central location.
Uniform Behavior: Linked buttons and visualizations perform the same set of actions, such as triggering filters or navigation.

Best Practices

Plan Shared Components: Use linked objects for frequently reused elements like navigation buttons, headers, and common KPIs.
Avoid Overuse: While linked objects save time, use them strategically to avoid unnecessary complexity.

Unlinking an Object

If you need to break the link:

Right-click the linked object.
Select Unlink to convert it into a standalone object.
The object will no longer receive updates from the original.