In today’s data-driven world, businesses need to be able to access and analyze their data quickly and easily. LookML and Looker are two powerful tools that enable self-service analytics and help businesses make data-driven decisions. In this post, we’ll explore LookML and Looker in more detail, and explain how they can help you get the most out of your data.

Understanding LookML

LookML is a modeling language used to define data models in Looker. LookML allows users to define data models in a way that is more intuitive and efficient than traditional SQL queries. LookML files are organized into models, explores, and views. Models define the connection to your database, explores are used to generate queries on your data, and views define how the data is presented. LookML also supports dashboards and visualizations, allowing users to create interactive reports that can be customized to their specific needs.

Overview of Looker

Looker is a cloud-based business intelligence platform that allows users to explore, analyze, and share data in real-time. Looker provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily create and share reports and dashboards. Looker also has robust data modeling capabilities, allowing users to create custom data models using LookML. Looker’s exploration and visualization tools allow users to drill down into their data and uncover insights that would otherwise be difficult to find.

Benefits of LookML and Looker

One of the key benefits of LookML and Looker is that they enable self-service analytics. Users can create their own reports and dashboards without relying on IT or data analysts. This allows business users to make data-driven decisions faster and more efficiently. Looker’s collaborative features also allow users to share insights and collaborate on reports and dashboards. Looker is used by businesses in various industries, including e-commerce, healthcare, and finance, to drive data-driven decision-making.

Getting started with Looker

Getting started with Looker is easy. Users can create their own data models using LookML, or they can use one of Looker’s pre-built data models. Looker’s support and resources are also extensive, with documentation, training videos, and a community forum. To get the most out of Looker, users should optimize their data models and dashboards for performance, and use Looker’s collaboration and sharing features to work more efficiently.

Power BI vs Looker/LookML

While Power BI and Looker/LookML both offer self-service analytics and data modeling capabilities, there are some key differences between the two tools. Power BI is a Microsoft product and is tightly integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure and Office 365. Looker/LookML, on the other hand, is a cloud-based tool that is more platform agnostic.

One of the main advantages of Looker/LookML over Power BI is its data modeling capabilities. Looker/LookML’s LookML language allows for more flexible and customizable data modeling, while Power BI relies on a more rigid data model. Looker/LookML also has more advanced exploration and visualization tools, allowing for deeper data analysis.

Feature	Power BI	Looker/LookML
Data Modeling	Relies on a rigid data model	Offers more flexible and customizable data modeling with LookML language
Exploration and Visualization Tools	Provides basic data exploration and visualization tools	Offers more advanced exploration and visualization tools, allowing for deeper data analysis
Integration	Tightly integrated with Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure and Office 365	More platform agnostic, but may require more manual integration with other tools and systems
Market Share and User Base	Has a larger market share and more established user base	Has a smaller market share and user base, but a strong following among data professionals
Cost	Offers both free and paid versions, with pricing based on user and data volume	Offers paid versions with pricing based on number of users and data volume

Conclusion

In addition Google is providing a great documentation like https://cloud.google.com/looker/docs/best-practices/how-to-write-sustainable-maintainable-lookml and WyTaSoft can also provide training on LookML in Looker

LookML and Looker are powerful tools that can help businesses make data-driven decisions faster and more efficiently. By enabling self-service analytics and providing a user-friendly interface, Looker can help businesses uncover insights that would otherwise be hidden. If you’re looking to get the most out of your data, Looker is a tool worth exploring.New reporting approach using LookML in Looker: The Power of Self-Service Analytics