Hi and welcome!
Rather than offering a traditional introduction about myself and my journey into freelancing, I thought it would be more fitting to delve into something I have found recently: HubSpot datasets.
HubSpot is continually evolving, with new tools, features, and methodologies cropping up all the time. This dynamic nature keeps the platform exciting and endlessly fascinating. So, why not start a regular segment discussing these fresh discoveries? Today, I’d like to focus on one such tool that has recently captivated me: the datasets functionality.
Datasets allow you to compile custom samples of your data for use in the custom report builder. You might be wondering, what’s the purpose of this? Well, here are a few capabilities of Datasets that have truly impressed me:
1. Create Custom Calculated Fields
If you’ve used HubSpot’s custom report builder before, you’ll know it has certain limitations, especially when it comes to incorporating formulas and functions—standard fare in other reporting tools and Excel. Datasets address this by enabling the creation of custom formula fields using all standard formula functions. Whether you’re averaging a set of fields, using conditional IF statements, or calculating the number of days between two date fields, this feature is incredibly powerful and long overdue.
2. Save Time on Repetitive Filters
Anyone who has built numerous reports in HubSpot will be familiar with the tedium of setting filters repeatedly. Datasets streamline this process by allowing you to set filters at the dataset level, which then apply automatically to any reports built using that dataset. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency in your reporting.
3. Display Simple Values in Fields
Sometimes, you just need to display a numerical value in a field, whether for further calculations or as a reference. For instance, showing a sales team’s overall revenue goal in a table report. With custom formula fields in Datasets, you can easily input a number value and display it as a column, then use this field for other calculations. It’s a simple yet immensely useful feature that gave me a real “eureka” moment.
4. Utilise Summary Functions
One of the most exciting aspects of creating formula fields is the ability to use summary functions. This allows you to aggregate data across multiple rows and calculate ratios and conversion rates—tasks that previously seemed impossible in HubSpot. Not anymore! For those interested, there’s a comprehensive guide on these functions available for some, ahem, light reading.
In conclusion, Datasets are an impressive feature that will greatly benefit any HubSpot user looking to create more complex reports. It’s worth noting, however, that this feature is part of the Operations Hub Enterprise package, so it’s not immediately available to everyone. Nonetheless, if you’re at the stage where you need Ops Hub, you’ll likely find this tool to be a game changer.
Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more insights on HubSpot’s latest and greatest tools!
