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In this chapter we are going to cover a Looker Studio concept that falls under data modeling and report interaction: parameters.

Filters and controls do not model data or change the underlying calculation. This is where parameters come into play.

Parameters allow users to provide data to the calculated fields and charts.

We will cover in the following lessons how we can use controls to work with parameters to enable our report viewers to have an input in the way we transform data in Looker Studio.

Parameters can be used in:

User Provided Goals & Targets
Calculations with User-provided Values
Forecasting & Projection
Dynamic Metrics & Dimensions on Charts
Custom & Connected Calculators
Dynamic Queries against BigQuery

With above use cases, we see how parameters are flexible, powerful, and open-ended.

12.1. Introduction to Parameters

In our last session, we explored filters and controls, which allowed us to narrow down the information presented in our reports based on certain dimension values or metric ranges. We learned that filters are designed for editors and controls for viewers. Both perform the same functionality, but now we'll dive into controls and their relationship with parameters.

Parameters: Empowering Your Viewers

Parameters are an exciting addition to Looker Studio. For the first time, we can offer users the ability to influence how data is transformed and calculated.

This means the viewer of the report can have their input on how they want those calculations to be performed.

In Looker Studio, we can *connect* to external data sources and collect values from users using parameters. Parameters allow us to also *collect* data and provide it to calculated fields and charts, making them more relevant and useful to the viewer.

For example, let's say we have a metric coming from a data source like Google Analytics, BigQuery, or Google Sheets. We can combine this metric with a value provided by the viewer, perform some calculation, and present the result in a chart. This chart now has aspects that are customized by the viewer, making it more relevant and useful to them.

Imagine a scenario where a user wants to forecast revenue for the next quarter. They could provide a parameter (let's call it X) to adjust the forecast based on their expectations, such as doubling the revenue or increasing it by 20%. This way, users can directly influence the calculations in their reports.

The Power of Parameters

Parameters provide a level of customization and interactivity that hasn't been available in Looker Studio before. By allowing users to influence the underlying calculations, we can create more meaningful and personalized reports that cater to our clients’ unique needs and preferences.

In the next lessons, we'll dive deeper into parameters, explore how to create them, and learn how to use them in our data visualizations.