Prerequisites

Metabase Instance - A running Metabase instance (cloud or self-hosted) with configured dashboards and data

Admin Access - Admin access to your Metabase instance for API key generation and permissions

Dashboard Data - Existing dashboards and questions in Metabase with historical data for analysis

Network Access - Metabase instance accessible from Datapad (internet or VPN connectivity)

Connection Methods

Metabase API Key

Secure connection using Metabase API key with read-only access to your dashboards and questions.

Session-Based Authentication

Connect using username/password authentication for direct access.

Connection Guide

Step 1: Access Metabase Integration

Navigate to Integrations in Datapad and select Metabase:

Metabase connect screen on Datapad UI

Step 2: Generate Metabase API Key

Create an API key in your Metabase admin settings:

Metabase API key generation

Steps to Generate API Key:

Go to Metabase Admin → Settings → Authentication
Generate a new API key
Set appropriate permissions (read-only recommended)
Copy the API key for Datapad connection

Store your Metabase API key securely. This key provides access to your dashboard data and should not be shared publicly.

Step 3: Configure Metabase Connection

Enter your Metabase instance URL:

Metabase connection form

Required Fields:

Find your Metabase Instance URL

Step 4: Enter Your Metabase Credentials

Choose which Metabase content you want to analyze:

Metabase dashboard selection

Enter Your Credentials and Click on Connect

Example Queries

Here are some example questions you can ask once your Metabase data is connected:

"What trends are emerging across my key business metrics in Metabase?"

"Which dashboard metrics are most correlated with revenue growth?"

"What anomalies or unusual patterns appear in my dashboard data this month?"

"How do different business units perform based on their dashboard KPIs?"

"Which metrics should I focus on to predict upcoming business challenges?"

"What story does my data tell about customer behavior and business performance?"

💬 Dashboard Analysis Tips

Focus on metric relationships rather than individual dashboard values

Ask about data quality and consistency across different Metabase questions

Request trend analysis that spans multiple dashboards for comprehensive insights

Use predictive analysis to identify future opportunities and risks

Behind the Scenes

Datapad connects to your Metabase instance via the Metabase API to access dashboard data, question results, and metadata. Our AI analyzes patterns across your dashboards, identifies correlations between metrics, and provides strategic insights that help you understand the story your data is telling and what actions to take based on dashboard trends.

Troubleshooting

Connection failed

If Metabase connection fails:

Verify your Metabase instance URL is correct and accessible
Check that the API key is valid and hasn't expired
Ensure Metabase is running and responsive
Test connectivity using the same URL and credentials in a browser

Authentication error

If authentication fails:

Verify the API key has the necessary permissions
Check that the username/password combination is correct (if using session auth)
Ensure the user account has access to the required dashboards and collections
Try generating a new API key if the current one isn't working

Missing dashboard data

If dashboard data is incomplete:

Verify the selected dashboards contain data and are not empty
Check that underlying data sources are properly connected in Metabase
Ensure dashboard questions are properly configured and executing
Contact support if specific dashboards or metrics appear to be missing

Performance issues

If data sync is slow:

Check your Metabase instance performance and resource usage
Verify network connectivity between Datapad and your Metabase instance
Consider optimizing complex Metabase questions for better performance
Adjust sync frequency settings if real-time updates aren't critical