Looker Studio Tutorial #9 — How to Create Pages and Add Navigation

I walk you through a simple, practical approach to turning a single Looker Studio report into a clean, multi-page dashboard. If you prefer a visual step-by-step walkthrough, I recorded a video tutorial you can follow along with: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3-xgfDBdR0

Step 1: Decide how many pages you actually need

Dashboards feel like books or presentations. A single endless page becomes hard to scan, and many tiny pages feel incomplete. I aim for pages that are long enough to give context but short enough that a reader can find what they need quickly.

Rule of thumb: group related elements on one page — for example, KPIs on the overview page, acquisition metrics on a second page, and channel-specific deep dives on separate pages. This keeps each page focused and readable.

Step 2: Add a new page and preserve header/footer consistency

Click the Add Page control to create a new page. When you add pages, Looker Studio will copy your theme and layout, including the header and footer, which saves a lot of time.

That copied header/footer shows that your report stays consistent across pages, so users always know where to find the title, date range, and navigation.

Step 3: Rename pages clearly

Use short, descriptive page titles so people know what to expect. I name the first page “KPI overview” and the second one “Acquisition” in this project. Simply click the page title and type the name you want.

Tip: Keep names one or two words long for cleaner navigation labels.

Step 4: Organize pages with sections, headers, and dividers

If your report grows beyond a handful of pages, organize them by grouping similar pages into sections. Looker Studio lets you add sections, dividers, and headers into the page navigation. A section might be “PPC Traffic” with several pages nested under it. A divider is a thin line that visually separates clusters of pages.

Use headers for broader categories like “Traffic Report” or “Acquisition” so readers can scan the navigation structure quickly.

Step 5: Choose the navigation layout that suits your audience

You can place navigation at the top (tabs) or vertically on the left. Vertical navigation scales better for many pages because you can collapse or group items. If you prefer tabs, limit the number of pages so the tabs remain readable.

Step 6: Use icons carefully — be consistent

Icons add a friendly visual cue, but inconsistency can be confusing. If you assign an icon to one page, either add icons for all pages or none. When navigation uses tabs, icons appear prominently, so pick icons that match the page purpose (for example, a chart icon for “Overview” and a funnel icon for “Acquisition”).

Step 7: Duplicate similar pages instead of rebuilding

When you need several pages with similar layout — for example, channel-specific acquisition pages for Organic, Paid, and Referral — use the Duplicate feature. It preserves layout, styling, and sometimes component placements so you only need to swap data sources or filters.

• Duplicate saves time and ensures consistency.
• After duplicating, update the page title and data configuration.

Step 8: Hide pages while you work

During development you may want pages visible in edit mode but hidden from end users. Use the “Hide page in view mode” option. This allows me to prototype or keep a staging page without exposing half-finished content to stakeholders.

Step 9: Adjust per-page settings when needed

Each page has its own settings menu where you can:

• Set a default data source that applies to components on that page.
• Change page background to override the global layout background for a specific section.
• Modify page size if a specific page needs a different canvas (for long tables or printable reports).

For example, I sometimes use a darker background for a KPI-heavy page to make scorecards pop, while keeping the rest of the report on a light background. Remember that per-page background overrides the layout background.

Step 10: Practical layout and navigation tips

• Balance content density: Avoid cramming too many widgets on one page. Aim for 4 to 8 meaningful elements per page depending on size.
• Use consistent spacing: Align charts and scorecards to the same grid to make scanning easier.
• Label pages for action: Instead of “Page 3,” use “Acquisition — Channels” or “Performance — Weekly.”
• Use the navigation order intentionally: Place the most important pages first and related deep dives next.

“If you set up an icon for one page, I recommend you to add icon for each page.” — I follow this rule to keep navigation visually consistent.

Quick checklist before publishing

1. All pages have clear, concise titles.
2. Header and footer are consistent across the report.
3. Icons are applied consistently or not used at all.
4. Unfinished pages are hidden from view mode.
5. Per-page data sources and background settings are adjusted where needed.

Tools I Use

Windsor.ai — easy connector for GA4, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and more.
Use promo code gaillereports for 10% off any plan.
Supermetrics — robust connector for bigger datasets and agency workflows.

If you manage Meta Ads or multi-channel reports, read this comparison:
Top Facebook Ads Connectors for Looker Studio — How to Choose the Right One

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• How to Set Theme and Layout in Looker Studio and Connect Your GA4 Data

• Looker Studio Report Tutorial #5 — Add Scorecards with KPIs (Setup, Styling & Metrics Explained)

• Build Professional Tables in Looker Studio — Setup, Styling & Best Practices

• How to Visualize Data Over Time in Looker Studio Reports (Time Series Tutorial #6)

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Summary

Pages and navigation are small details that make a huge difference. A clean structure helps readers move through your dashboard without guessing where things live. Group pages by topic, keep headers and footers consistent, and use sections or dividers when you have many pages.

Duplicate pages that share the same layout, hide pages while you’re working, and adjust per-page settings only when you need exceptions.

With a clear navigation structure in place, you can scale your report confidently — new pages, new sections, new layouts — all while keeping a simple reading flow.