home / skills / anthropics / knowledge-work-plugins / interactive-dashboard-builder
This skill helps you build self-contained interactive HTML dashboards with Chart.js and filters, delivering shareable reports without server setup.
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---
name: interactive-dashboard-builder
description: Build self-contained interactive HTML dashboards with Chart.js, dropdown filters, and professional styling. Use when creating dashboards, building interactive reports, or generating shareable HTML files with charts and filters that work without a server.
---
# Interactive Dashboard Builder Skill
Patterns and techniques for building self-contained HTML/JS dashboards with Chart.js, filters, interactivity, and professional styling.
## HTML/JS Dashboard Patterns
### Base Template
Every dashboard follows this structure:
```html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Dashboard Title</title>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/[email protected]" integrity="sha384-jb8JQMbMoBUzgWatfe6COACi2ljcDdZQ2OxczGA3bGNeWe+6DChMTBJemed7ZnvJ" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/[email protected]" integrity="sha384-cVMg8E3QFwTvGCDuK+ET4PD341jF3W8nO1auiXfuZNQkzbUUiBGLsIQUE+b1mxws" crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
<style>
/* Dashboard styles go here */
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="dashboard-container">
<header class="dashboard-header">
<h1>Dashboard Title</h1>
<div class="filters">
<!-- Filter controls -->
</div>
</header>
<section class="kpi-row">
<!-- KPI cards -->
</section>
<section class="chart-row">
<!-- Chart containers -->
</section>
<section class="table-section">
<!-- Data table -->
</section>
<footer class="dashboard-footer">
<span>Data as of: <span id="data-date"></span></span>
</footer>
</div>
<script>
// Embedded data
const DATA = [];
// Dashboard logic
class Dashboard {
constructor(data) {
this.rawData = data;
this.filteredData = data;
this.charts = {};
this.init();
}
init() {
this.setupFilters();
this.renderKPIs();
this.renderCharts();
this.renderTable();
}
applyFilters() {
// Filter logic
this.filteredData = this.rawData.filter(row => {
// Apply each active filter
return true; // placeholder
});
this.renderKPIs();
this.updateCharts();
this.renderTable();
}
// ... methods for each section
}
const dashboard = new Dashboard(DATA);
</script>
</body>
</html>
```
### KPI Card Pattern
```html
<div class="kpi-card">
<div class="kpi-label">Total Revenue</div>
<div class="kpi-value" id="kpi-revenue">$0</div>
<div class="kpi-change positive" id="kpi-revenue-change">+0%</div>
</div>
```
```javascript
function renderKPI(elementId, value, previousValue, format = 'number') {
const el = document.getElementById(elementId);
const changeEl = document.getElementById(elementId + '-change');
// Format the value
el.textContent = formatValue(value, format);
// Calculate and display change
if (previousValue && previousValue !== 0) {
const pctChange = ((value - previousValue) / previousValue) * 100;
const sign = pctChange >= 0 ? '+' : '';
changeEl.textContent = `${sign}${pctChange.toFixed(1)}% vs prior period`;
changeEl.className = `kpi-change ${pctChange >= 0 ? 'positive' : 'negative'}`;
}
}
function formatValue(value, format) {
switch (format) {
case 'currency':
if (value >= 1e6) return `$${(value / 1e6).toFixed(1)}M`;
if (value >= 1e3) return `$${(value / 1e3).toFixed(1)}K`;
return `$${value.toFixed(0)}`;
case 'percent':
return `${value.toFixed(1)}%`;
case 'number':
if (value >= 1e6) return `${(value / 1e6).toFixed(1)}M`;
if (value >= 1e3) return `${(value / 1e3).toFixed(1)}K`;
return value.toLocaleString();
default:
return value.toString();
}
}
```
### Chart Container Pattern
```html
<div class="chart-container">
<h3 class="chart-title">Monthly Revenue Trend</h3>
<canvas id="revenue-chart"></canvas>
</div>
```
## Chart.js Integration
### Line Chart
```javascript
function createLineChart(canvasId, labels, datasets) {
const ctx = document.getElementById(canvasId).getContext('2d');
return new Chart(ctx, {
type: 'line',
data: {
labels: labels,
datasets: datasets.map((ds, i) => ({
label: ds.label,
data: ds.data,
borderColor: COLORS[i % COLORS.length],
backgroundColor: COLORS[i % COLORS.length] + '20',
borderWidth: 2,
fill: ds.fill || false,
tension: 0.3,
pointRadius: 3,
pointHoverRadius: 6,
}))
},
options: {
responsive: true,
maintainAspectRatio: false,
interaction: {
mode: 'index',
intersect: false,
},
plugins: {
legend: {
position: 'top',
labels: { usePointStyle: true, padding: 20 }
},
tooltip: {
callbacks: {
label: function(context) {
return `${context.dataset.label}: ${formatValue(context.parsed.y, 'currency')}`;
}
}
}
},
scales: {
x: {
grid: { display: false }
},
y: {
beginAtZero: true,
ticks: {
callback: function(value) {
return formatValue(value, 'currency');
}
}
}
}
}
});
}
```
### Bar Chart
```javascript
function createBarChart(canvasId, labels, data, options = {}) {
const ctx = document.getElementById(canvasId).getContext('2d');
const isHorizontal = options.horizontal || labels.length > 8;
return new Chart(ctx, {
type: 'bar',
data: {
labels: labels,
datasets: [{
label: options.label || 'Value',
data: data,
backgroundColor: options.colors || COLORS.map(c => c + 'CC'),
borderColor: options.colors || COLORS,
borderWidth: 1,
borderRadius: 4,
}]
},
options: {
responsive: true,
maintainAspectRatio: false,
indexAxis: isHorizontal ? 'y' : 'x',
plugins: {
legend: { display: false },
tooltip: {
callbacks: {
label: function(context) {
return formatValue(context.parsed[isHorizontal ? 'x' : 'y'], options.format || 'number');
}
}
}
},
scales: {
x: {
beginAtZero: true,
grid: { display: isHorizontal },
ticks: isHorizontal ? {
callback: function(value) {
return formatValue(value, options.format || 'number');
}
} : {}
},
y: {
beginAtZero: !isHorizontal,
grid: { display: !isHorizontal },
ticks: !isHorizontal ? {
callback: function(value) {
return formatValue(value, options.format || 'number');
}
} : {}
}
}
}
});
}
```
### Doughnut Chart
```javascript
function createDoughnutChart(canvasId, labels, data) {
const ctx = document.getElementById(canvasId).getContext('2d');
return new Chart(ctx, {
type: 'doughnut',
data: {
labels: labels,
datasets: [{
data: data,
backgroundColor: COLORS.map(c => c + 'CC'),
borderColor: '#ffffff',
borderWidth: 2,
}]
},
options: {
responsive: true,
maintainAspectRatio: false,
cutout: '60%',
plugins: {
legend: {
position: 'right',
labels: { usePointStyle: true, padding: 15 }
},
tooltip: {
callbacks: {
label: function(context) {
const total = context.dataset.data.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0);
const pct = ((context.parsed / total) * 100).toFixed(1);
return `${context.label}: ${formatValue(context.parsed, 'number')} (${pct}%)`;
}
}
}
}
}
});
}
```
### Updating Charts on Filter Change
```javascript
function updateChart(chart, newLabels, newData) {
chart.data.labels = newLabels;
if (Array.isArray(newData[0])) {
// Multiple datasets
newData.forEach((data, i) => {
chart.data.datasets[i].data = data;
});
} else {
chart.data.datasets[0].data = newData;
}
chart.update('none'); // 'none' disables animation for instant update
}
```
## Filter and Interactivity Implementation
### Dropdown Filter
```html
<div class="filter-group">
<label for="filter-region">Region</label>
<select id="filter-region" onchange="dashboard.applyFilters()">
<option value="all">All Regions</option>
</select>
</div>
```
```javascript
function populateFilter(selectId, data, field) {
const select = document.getElementById(selectId);
const values = [...new Set(data.map(d => d[field]))].sort();
// Keep the "All" option, add unique values
values.forEach(val => {
const option = document.createElement('option');
option.value = val;
option.textContent = val;
select.appendChild(option);
});
}
function getFilterValue(selectId) {
const val = document.getElementById(selectId).value;
return val === 'all' ? null : val;
}
```
### Date Range Filter
```html
<div class="filter-group">
<label>Date Range</label>
<input type="date" id="filter-date-start" onchange="dashboard.applyFilters()">
<span>to</span>
<input type="date" id="filter-date-end" onchange="dashboard.applyFilters()">
</div>
```
```javascript
function filterByDateRange(data, dateField, startDate, endDate) {
return data.filter(row => {
const rowDate = new Date(row[dateField]);
if (startDate && rowDate < new Date(startDate)) return false;
if (endDate && rowDate > new Date(endDate)) return false;
return true;
});
}
```
### Combined Filter Logic
```javascript
applyFilters() {
const region = getFilterValue('filter-region');
const category = getFilterValue('filter-category');
const startDate = document.getElementById('filter-date-start').value;
const endDate = document.getElementById('filter-date-end').value;
this.filteredData = this.rawData.filter(row => {
if (region && row.region !== region) return false;
if (category && row.category !== category) return false;
if (startDate && row.date < startDate) return false;
if (endDate && row.date > endDate) return false;
return true;
});
this.renderKPIs();
this.updateCharts();
this.renderTable();
}
```
### Sortable Table
```javascript
function renderTable(containerId, data, columns) {
const container = document.getElementById(containerId);
let sortCol = null;
let sortDir = 'desc';
function render(sortedData) {
let html = '<table class="data-table">';
// Header
html += '<thead><tr>';
columns.forEach(col => {
const arrow = sortCol === col.field
? (sortDir === 'asc' ? ' ▲' : ' ▼')
: '';
html += `<th onclick="sortTable('${col.field}')" style="cursor:pointer">${col.label}${arrow}</th>`;
});
html += '</tr></thead>';
// Body
html += '<tbody>';
sortedData.forEach(row => {
html += '<tr>';
columns.forEach(col => {
const value = col.format ? formatValue(row[col.field], col.format) : row[col.field];
html += `<td>${value}</td>`;
});
html += '</tr>';
});
html += '</tbody></table>';
container.innerHTML = html;
}
window.sortTable = function(field) {
if (sortCol === field) {
sortDir = sortDir === 'asc' ? 'desc' : 'asc';
} else {
sortCol = field;
sortDir = 'desc';
}
const sorted = [...data].sort((a, b) => {
const aVal = a[field], bVal = b[field];
const cmp = aVal < bVal ? -1 : aVal > bVal ? 1 : 0;
return sortDir === 'asc' ? cmp : -cmp;
});
render(sorted);
};
render(data);
}
```
## CSS Styling for Dashboards
### Color System
```css
:root {
/* Background layers */
--bg-primary: #f8f9fa;
--bg-card: #ffffff;
--bg-header: #1a1a2e;
/* Text */
--text-primary: #212529;
--text-secondary: #6c757d;
--text-on-dark: #ffffff;
/* Accent colors for data */
--color-1: #4C72B0;
--color-2: #DD8452;
--color-3: #55A868;
--color-4: #C44E52;
--color-5: #8172B3;
--color-6: #937860;
/* Status colors */
--positive: #28a745;
--negative: #dc3545;
--neutral: #6c757d;
/* Spacing */
--gap: 16px;
--radius: 8px;
}
```
### Layout
```css
* {
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
body {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, sans-serif;
background: var(--bg-primary);
color: var(--text-primary);
line-height: 1.5;
}
.dashboard-container {
max-width: 1400px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: var(--gap);
}
.dashboard-header {
background: var(--bg-header);
color: var(--text-on-dark);
padding: 20px 24px;
border-radius: var(--radius);
margin-bottom: var(--gap);
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 12px;
}
.dashboard-header h1 {
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: 600;
}
```
### KPI Cards
```css
.kpi-row {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(200px, 1fr));
gap: var(--gap);
margin-bottom: var(--gap);
}
.kpi-card {
background: var(--bg-card);
border-radius: var(--radius);
padding: 20px 24px;
box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}
.kpi-label {
font-size: 13px;
color: var(--text-secondary);
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.kpi-value {
font-size: 28px;
font-weight: 700;
color: var(--text-primary);
margin-bottom: 4px;
}
.kpi-change {
font-size: 13px;
font-weight: 500;
}
.kpi-change.positive { color: var(--positive); }
.kpi-change.negative { color: var(--negative); }
```
### Chart Containers
```css
.chart-row {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(400px, 1fr));
gap: var(--gap);
margin-bottom: var(--gap);
}
.chart-container {
background: var(--bg-card);
border-radius: var(--radius);
padding: 20px 24px;
box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
}
.chart-container h3 {
font-size: 14px;
font-weight: 600;
color: var(--text-primary);
margin-bottom: 16px;
}
.chart-container canvas {
max-height: 300px;
}
```
### Filters
```css
.filters {
display: flex;
gap: 12px;
align-items: center;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.filter-group {
display: flex;
align-items: center;
gap: 6px;
}
.filter-group label {
font-size: 12px;
color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);
}
.filter-group select,
.filter-group input[type="date"] {
padding: 6px 10px;
border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.2);
border-radius: 4px;
background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
color: var(--text-on-dark);
font-size: 13px;
}
.filter-group select option {
background: var(--bg-header);
color: var(--text-on-dark);
}
```
### Data Table
```css
.table-section {
background: var(--bg-card);
border-radius: var(--radius);
padding: 20px 24px;
box-shadow: 0 1px 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08);
overflow-x: auto;
}
.data-table {
width: 100%;
border-collapse: collapse;
font-size: 13px;
}
.data-table thead th {
text-align: left;
padding: 10px 12px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #dee2e6;
color: var(--text-secondary);
font-weight: 600;
font-size: 12px;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
white-space: nowrap;
user-select: none;
}
.data-table thead th:hover {
color: var(--text-primary);
background: #f8f9fa;
}
.data-table tbody td {
padding: 10px 12px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #f0f0f0;
}
.data-table tbody tr:hover {
background: #f8f9fa;
}
.data-table tbody tr:last-child td {
border-bottom: none;
}
```
### Responsive Design
```css
@media (max-width: 768px) {
.dashboard-header {
flex-direction: column;
align-items: flex-start;
}
.kpi-row {
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
}
.chart-row {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.filters {
flex-direction: column;
align-items: flex-start;
}
}
@media print {
body { background: white; }
.dashboard-container { max-width: none; }
.filters { display: none; }
.chart-container { break-inside: avoid; }
.kpi-card { border: 1px solid #dee2e6; box-shadow: none; }
}
```
## Performance Considerations for Large Datasets
### Data Size Guidelines
| Data Size | Approach |
|---|---|
| <1,000 rows | Embed directly in HTML. Full interactivity. |
| 1,000 - 10,000 rows | Embed in HTML. May need to pre-aggregate for charts. |
| 10,000 - 100,000 rows | Pre-aggregate server-side. Embed only aggregated data. |
| >100,000 rows | Not suitable for client-side dashboard. Use a BI tool or paginate. |
### Pre-Aggregation Pattern
Instead of embedding raw data and aggregating in the browser:
```javascript
// DON'T: embed 50,000 raw rows
const RAW_DATA = [/* 50,000 rows */];
// DO: pre-aggregate before embedding
const CHART_DATA = {
monthly_revenue: [
{ month: '2024-01', revenue: 150000, orders: 1200 },
{ month: '2024-02', revenue: 165000, orders: 1350 },
// ... 12 rows instead of 50,000
],
top_products: [
{ product: 'Widget A', revenue: 45000 },
// ... 10 rows
],
kpis: {
total_revenue: 1980000,
total_orders: 15600,
avg_order_value: 127,
}
};
```
### Chart Performance
- Limit line charts to <500 data points per series (downsample if needed)
- Limit bar charts to <50 categories
- For scatter plots, cap at 1,000 points (use sampling for larger datasets)
- Disable animations for dashboards with many charts: `animation: false` in Chart.js options
- Use `Chart.update('none')` instead of `Chart.update()` for filter-triggered updates
### DOM Performance
- Limit data tables to 100-200 visible rows. Add pagination for more.
- Use `requestAnimationFrame` for coordinated chart updates
- Avoid rebuilding the entire DOM on filter change -- update only changed elements
```javascript
// Efficient table pagination
function renderTablePage(data, page, pageSize = 50) {
const start = page * pageSize;
const end = Math.min(start + pageSize, data.length);
const pageData = data.slice(start, end);
// Render only pageData
// Show pagination controls: "Showing 1-50 of 2,340"
}
```
This skill builds self-contained interactive HTML dashboards using Chart.js, dropdown and date filters, sortable tables, and professional CSS. It produces single-file dashboards that run without a server and are easy to share. The patterns focus on reusable components: KPI cards, chart containers, filter controls, and update logic to keep visuals in sync.
Embed your dataset as a JavaScript constant and instantiate a Dashboard class that manages rawData, filteredData, and chart instances. The dashboard initializes filters, renders KPI cards, creates Chart.js charts (line, bar, doughnut), and renders a sortable table. Filter inputs call applyFilters(), which recomputes filteredData and updates KPIs, charts, and the table in place.
Can the dashboard handle large datasets?
Single-file dashboards are best for small-to-moderate datasets. Pre-aggregate or sample data before embedding for large volumes to keep browser performance responsive.
Do filters and charts require a backend?
No. Filters, chart updates, and sortable tables are implemented in plain JavaScript and run entirely in the browser without a server.