Data Apps - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common questions about Data Apps. For questions about Workbooks, see Workbooks - Frequently Asked Questions.
- What is a Data App?
- What is the difference between a Data App and a Workbook?
- How do I build a Data App?
- Do I need a semantic layer to build a Data App?
- Where is a Data App hosted, and how do I publish it?
- Who can open a Data App?
- Does a Data App store my data?
What is a Data App?
Section titled “What is a Data App?”A Data App is an interactive app built on your governed data in Astrato. It queries your data live through a semantic layer, so everyone sees the same measures and definitions, and people open it with a link like any other web app. You can build one with the App Builder, with your own AI assistant, or in code.
See Astrato terminology for how Data Apps, Workbooks and externally hosted apps relate.
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What is the difference between a Data App and a Workbook?
Section titled “What is the difference between a Data App and a Workbook?”A Workbook is built visually in the Workbook Editor, from sheets, charts and actions. A Data App is a separate app that you build with the App Builder, an AI assistant or code, which gives you more control over layout, branding and interaction. Both read from the same semantic layer and the same governed data, so the numbers match.
Workbooks are the legacy way to build in Astrato. If you have existing Workbooks, see Rebuilding a Workbook as an app.
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How do I build a Data App?
Section titled “How do I build a Data App?”There are two main routes:
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App Builder: describe the app to Nash, Astrato’s AI agent, watch a live preview, and publish from the same screen. App Builder is in Private Preview and is off by default, so ask your Astrato contact if you cannot see it.
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Your own AI assistant or code: connect an assistant such as Claude over MCP, or work in your own project with the Astrato CLI.
Choose how to build helps you pick, and the Data App quickstart covers the code route.
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Do I need a semantic layer to build a Data App?
Section titled “Do I need a semantic layer to build a Data App?”Yes. A Data App reads its measures and dimensions from a semantic layer, and previews use published items only. Connect your data, create a semantic layer, and publish the measures and dimensions the app needs before you build. See Semantic layer workflows.
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Where is a Data App hosted, and how do I publish it?
Section titled “Where is a Data App hosted, and how do I publish it?”Where publications are enabled, Astrato hosts your Data App for you. You publish it from the App Builder, or with astrato publish for a local project. Publishing keeps the same URL when you publish updates, and a failed upload leaves the current version running. Alternatively you can build an externally hosted app and deploy it yourself.
Publishing is in preview and needs an enabled environment and publish permission. See Manage Data Apps.
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Who can open a Data App?
Section titled “Who can open a Data App?”By default, people sign in with their Astrato account and need access to the app. If your administrator enables public access and external embed links, you can also share a Data App with anyone who has the link. Public access only works when the semantic layer and its data connection are open to everyone, and when the connection uses one shared credential. See Public access and embedding.
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Does a Data App store my data?
Section titled “Does a Data App store my data?”No. Like the rest of Astrato, a Data App sends queries to your data warehouse and shows the results, so your data stays where it lives. The app’s files are stored with your tenant’s existing Astrato storage. See Tenant ownership and sign-in.