Building an IoT Dashboard – Visualizing Data

How Arduino IoT Dashboards Work

Every Thing (virtual device) you create in the Arduino IoT Cloud can have its own dashboard.
Each variable you define (like temperature, pressure, or switch status) can be linked to a widget — a visual control or display element.

Here’s the flow:

📡 ArduinoIoT Cloud Variable → Dashboard Widget → User View

Your dashboard automatically updates as the data changes. No refresh button needed!


⚙️ Step-by-Step: Creating an Arduino IoT Dashboard

  1. Log in to your Arduino IoT Cloud account.
  2. Go to Dashboards → Create Dashboard.
  3. Click Add Widget and choose a type:
    • Gauge – for live sensor values
    • Chart – for trends over time
    • Switch – to turn things ON or OFF
    • LED – to show states (like connection status)
    • Slider – to send adjustable values (like motor speed)
  4. Link each widget to a Thing variable.
  5. Arrange and resize them as you like — your dashboard is now live!

Pro tip 💡: Try using multiple dashboards for different devices or data types (e.g., “Weather Monitor” and “Energy Tracker”).


🧩 Example: Real-Time Temperature Dashboard

Here’s how a simple project looks in the dashboard:

  • Variable: temperature (float)
  • Widget: Gauge
  • Range: 0–100°C
  • Update Rate: Every 2 seconds

You’ll see a live dial move as your sensor reports data — and you can even display history charts to see how readings change over time.


🌈 Personalizing Your Dashboard

Make your dashboard your own!

  • Add labels, icons, and colors to organize data.
  • Use multiple pages for large projects.
  • Enable mobile view for quick access on your phone.
  • Combine multiple boards in one view (like sensors, lights, and relays).

A good dashboard isn’t just functional — it’s fun to look at!


💬 Why Dashboards Matter

  • They bring projects to life visually.
  • Make troubleshooting easier (you see the data).
  • Enable remote monitoring and control.
  • Help you understand trends and behavior over time.
  • They’re the heart of every IoT system — from a home project to industrial automation.

“If IoT is the brain, the dashboard is the face.”