Google Analytics: How to create a report on Google Analytics using Free Form

Created by Glen Barnes, Modified on Wed, 31 Jan at 7:10 AM by Glen Barnes

Google Analytics offers powerful tools for tracking and analyzing user data, allowing you to gain valuable insights into user behavior. One way to enhance your data analysis is by creating custom reports using the Free Form feature. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up custom dimensions, creating a Free Form report, and sharing it with your team.

Step 1: Adding Custom Dimensions

Log in to your Google Analytics account.
From the main screen, click on the Settings cog icon, then select "Custom Definitions."
Choose "Create Custom Dimensions."
Create custom dimensions that match the following specifications:

Scope	Parameter name	Dimension name	Description
event	collection	Collection	The Collection name
event	item_name	Item Name	The name of the lightboxed item
event	language_selected	Language selected	The currently selected Language setting
event	media_current_time	Media Current Time	The current index position in seconds of the playhead
event	media_duration	Media_Duration	Total duration of the playback in seconds
event	media_percent	Playback Threshold	The playback threshold that has been reached
event	media_title	Media Title	The name of the media
event	media_type	Media Type	The type of media
event	method	Method	The method used to select the stop ie "map", "keypad", "qr-code", "hamburger", "search"
event	screen_section	Screen Section	The section of the screen
user	device_id	Device ID	Firebase's user_pseudo_id

**You can just add Collection if you are only concerned about the collection usage.

Step 2: Creating a Free Form Report

To see individual trail downloads within the app, use the "Explore" option and choose "Free form."
Customize the report by adding dimensions and metrics:
- Dimensions: Add Collection and Device category.
- Metrics: Add Active Users, User Engagement, and Sessions (or other desired metrics).

1. Drag and drop the Collection dimension to the "Rows" section.
2. Drag and drop the Device category to the "Columns" section.
3. Optional - Further refine the report by adding or removing metrics in the "Value" section (for example, Active Users, Users engagement and Sessions).

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Step 3: Sharing the Report

When you first create an exploration, only you can see it. You can share your insights with your colleagues:

In the upper right, click Share exploration . To share an exploration, you must have at least an Analyst role in the property.
Shared explorations can be viewed, but not edited, by anyone who has the Viewer role to the property. You must duplicate or copy a shared exploration in order to edit it.