Format Scorecard Comparisons in Data Studio

Watch the step-by-step walkthrough below, then follow along with the guide to add comparison indicators to your Data Studio scorecards — set period-over-period, fixed value, or metric comparisons and style the display to match your report.

Follow the Steps Book Training
Book a Session

Book 1-on-1 Training

Need help improving campaign performance?
Book a 120-minute training session and we’ll optimise your campaigns together.

📅
2-Hour Deep Working Session We’ll review your campaign performance together
✅
Performance Guarantee Improve campaign performance within 2 weeks, or get a free account review.

Fix your Performance Marketing Campaigns in 2-Hours

01

Roadmap to Success

  • Define what success looks like for your account
  • Business Objectives: 3, 6 & 12 month roadmap
  • Tracking Template tailored to your business
02

Funnel Optimisation

  • Hook, Offer, Follow-up optimisation
  • Landing page and funnel optimisation action items
03

Campaign Optimisation

  • Which campaigns to keep / pause / optimise
  • Creative and Ad copy optimisation actions
  • Campaign optimisation actions
✅

Performance Guarantee: Improve campaign performance within 2 weeks, or get a free account review.

Your Digital Marketing Instructor

Sotirios Seridis
Sotirios Seridis Ex-WPP Ex-Omnicom Ex-HAVAS

15+ years in Digital Marketing · General Assembly · Skills Union · RevoU · Experience Effect · LightHouse Media

LinkedIn ↗
Step by Step

Format Scorecard Comparisons in Data Studio

Follow these steps alongside the video to add and style comparison indicators on your scorecards.

1

Select the Scorecard

2

Select the Comparison date range (under the Setup column)

  • The most common comparison is with the previous period
3

Under Other comparison options, you can select an alternative comparison type

  • Value — compare against a fixed number (e.g. a target or budget)
  • Metric — compare against another metric in your data source
4

Navigate to the Style column (right-hand side)

5

Under Comparison fields, adjust the display options

  • Change the colour of the comparison indicator (e.g. green for positive, red for negative)
  • Adjust decimals to control how many decimal places are shown
  • Show absolute (numerical) difference instead of or alongside the percentage change

Need 1-on-1 help with Data Studio?

Book a 90-minute training session and we'll build your Data Studio dashboard together!

Book a Training Session
Keep Learning

Related Data Studio Tutorials

More step-by-step guides to get more from your Data Studio dashboards.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about scorecard comparison indicators in Data Studio (Looker Studio).

What is a scorecard comparison in Data Studio?

A scorecard comparison adds a secondary value and a percentage change indicator below the main metric on a scorecard. It lets viewers immediately see whether a metric is up or down compared to a previous period, a target, or another metric — without needing to cross-reference a separate chart or table.

What comparison date range options are available?

Data Studio offers several built-in comparison date ranges including Previous period (same duration, immediately before), Previous year (same dates one year ago), and Same period last year. The most commonly used is Previous period, which automatically adjusts to match whatever date range the report's date control is set to.

How do I compare a metric against a target or budget instead of a date period?

In the Setup panel under Other comparison options, select Value and enter your target number. This is useful for KPI scorecards where you want to show how actual performance compares to a fixed goal — for example, showing that 1,200 leads were generated against a target of 1,000.

Can I reverse the colour logic so that a decrease shows as green?

Yes. In the Style panel under Comparison fields, there is a toggle to reverse the colour direction. This is essential for cost metrics like CPA or CPC — a decrease in cost is a positive result, so you want it to display in green even though the value went down.

What is the difference between showing percentage change and absolute difference?

Percentage change shows how much a metric moved relative to the comparison value (e.g. +15%). Absolute difference shows the raw numerical change (e.g. +180 conversions). You can display both simultaneously in Data Studio. Absolute difference is often more meaningful for stakeholders who think in units rather than percentages.

Does the comparison update automatically when the date range filter changes?

Yes. When you use Previous period as the comparison type, it automatically recalculates whenever the report's date range control is adjusted. So if a viewer changes the date filter from "last 7 days" to "last 30 days", the comparison value updates to reflect the prior 30-day period automatically — no manual reconfiguration needed.

Book Training WhatsApp YouTube Newsletter