How to Customize Metrics in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Detail Reports

• August 21, 2023
• admin
• Business, Data Visualization, Google Analytics, Google Analytics 4 - GA4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) provides robust reporting capabilities to help you analyze and understand your website’s performance. One of the key features is the ability to customize metrics in detail reports. This tutorial will guide you through the process of adding, removing, and organizing metrics in the table header of a detail report. Additionally, you’ll learn how to set a default sorting metric for the entire table.

Prerequisites:

• Access to a Google Analytics 4 account.
• Editor or administrator permissions to customize metrics in detail reports.

Steps to Customize Metrics in GA4 Detail Reports:

Step 1: Access the Detail Report

1. Log in to your Google Analytics 4 account.
2. Navigate to the desired property and view where you want to customize the metrics.
3. Click on the “Reports” section to access your reports.

Step 2: Open the Customize Report Menu

1. Within the detail report you’re viewing, locate the “Customize report” option in the top right corner. If you don’t see this option, ensure you have the necessary permissions to customize detail reports.

Step 3: Choose Metrics

1. Under the “REPORT DATA” header, find and click on the “Metrics” option. Note that if you see a “CARDS” header instead of “REPORT DATA,” you’re likely looking at an overview report, not a detail report. Make sure you’re in the right report.

Step 4: Manage Metrics

1. Under the “PRIMARY DIMENSIONS” header, you’ll see the metrics that appear in the table header.
2. To add a metric, click “Add metric.” You can either enter the metric’s name or select it from the drop-down menu. If the metric list is long, you might need to scroll to see the “Add metric” option.
3. To change the order of metrics, drag the “Drag indicator” next to a metric to reorder it in the table header.
4. To remove a metric from the table header, click “Remove.”

Step 5: Set Default Sorting Metric

1. Click on a metric you want to set as the default sorting metric for the entire table.
2. Click on the icon (usually an arrow) next to the metric. This action sets the chosen metric as the default sorting metric. Users who access the report can temporarily change this default metric for their analysis.

Step 6: Apply Changes

1. After customizing the metrics and default sorting, click “Apply” to apply the changes to the current report.

Step 7: Save Changes

1. To permanently save the changes you’ve made, click “Save” and select “Save changes to current report.” This ensures that your customized metrics are retained for future use.

Conclusion: Customizing metrics in Google Analytics 4 detail reports empowers you to tailor your analysis to your specific needs. By adding, rearranging, and setting default sorting metrics, you can optimize your reporting experience and gain deeper insights into your website’s performance.

Remember that these customization options enhance your ability to extract meaningful insights from your GA4 data, enabling you to make informed decisions for your website’s growth and success.