Table of Contents
1.1 Introduction to Qlik
Qlik is a powerful business intelligence (BI) platform that allows users to create interactive visualizations, dashboards, and analytical apps. Unlike traditional BI tools that follow a predefined path of questioning, Qlik's associative analytics engine enables users to explore data freely, making discoveries and finding insights that would otherwise be missed.
What makes Qlik special is its associative data indexing approach. Rather than relying on predefined queries or hierarchies, Qlik maintains the relationships between all data points in memory. This means when you make a selection, all related data is instantly highlighted, while unrelated data is shown as such, helping you understand not just what's directly related, but also what's unrelated to your selection.
Why Learn Qlik? In today's data-driven world, the ability to analyze and visualize data quickly and effectively is increasingly valuable. Qlik is used by thousands of organizations worldwide to transform their raw data into actionable insights. As a Qlik developer, you'll be able to create powerful analytics solutions that help businesses make better decisions.
1.2 Qlik Versions and Offerings
Before we dive into installation, it's important to understand the different Qlik products available:
| Product | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Qlik Sense Desktop | Free personal version for Windows | Individual learning, personal projects |
| Qlik Sense Enterprise | Full-featured business version | Organizations, team collaboration |
| Qlik Sense Cloud | SaaS version with subscription | Quick deployment, minimal IT overhead |
| QlikView | Older guided analytics platform | Guided analytical applications |
In this tutorial series, we'll primarily focus on Qlik Sense, which is Qlik's modern self-service analytics platform. Specifically, we'll use Qlik Sense Desktop for our examples as it's free to use and perfect for learning.
Note: Qlik Sense Desktop is only available for Windows. If you're using a Mac or Linux, you can either set up a Windows virtual machine or use Qlik Sense Cloud, which offers a free trial period.
1.3 Installing Qlik Sense Desktop
Let's get started by installing Qlik Sense Desktop on your computer:
1Download Qlik Sense Desktop
Visit the Qlik Sense Desktop download page and click on the download button. You'll need to create a free Qlik account if you don't already have one.
2Run the Installer
Once the download is complete, run the installer file (QlikSenseDesktop.exe). Accept the license agreement and follow the installation wizard's instructions.
3Complete the Installation
Choose the installation location (the default is usually fine) and complete the installation process. When it's finished, you'll have the option to launch Qlik Sense Desktop immediately.
4Launch Qlik Sense Desktop
When you launch Qlik Sense Desktop for the first time, it will start a local server on your machine. You'll see a system tray icon indicating that Qlik Sense is running, and your default web browser will open, connecting to the local Qlik Sense hub.
The URL will typically be something like: http://localhost:4848/hub
Qlik Sense Desktop runs as a local web application. Even though it's using your web browser, all processing happens locally on your computer, and you don't need an internet connection once it's installed.
1.4 Understanding the Interface
Now that you have Qlik Sense Desktop installed, let's familiarize ourselves with the main interface components:
The Hub
The Hub is your starting point in Qlik Sense. It's where you'll see all your apps and have the option to create new ones. Think of it as your app library or homepage.
Key elements of the Hub:
- Create new app button - Used to create a new Qlik Sense app
- App cards - Visual representations of your existing apps
- Collections - Ways to organize your apps (in Qlik Sense Enterprise)
App Overview
When you open an app, you'll first see the App Overview. This gives you a birds-eye view of all the sheets in your app. From here, you can:
- Open existing sheets
- Create new sheets
- Access the Data Manager and Data Load Editor (in Edit mode)
Sheet View
Sheets are where your visualizations live. Each sheet can contain multiple charts, tables, and filters that work together to provide insights.
In Sheet View, you can:
- Interact with visualizations by making selections
- Filter data using filter panes
- Use the selections tool to view and clear your current selections
- Navigate between sheets using the sheet navigator
Edit Mode
Edit mode is where you create and modify your Qlik Sense app. To enter Edit mode, click the "Edit" button in the top right corner when viewing a sheet.
In Edit mode, you'll have access to:
- Assets panel - Contains all available charts, visualizations, and master items
- Sheet grid - The layout area where you can place visualizations
- Properties panel - Used to configure selected visualizations
- Data Manager - For loading and preparing data visually
- Data Load Editor - For scripting more complex data loads
1.5 Creating Your First Qlik App
Now that you understand the basics of the interface, let's create your very first Qlik Sense app:
1Create a New App
From the Hub, click the "Create new app" button. Enter a name for your app, such as "My First Qlik App," and optionally add a description. Click "Create" to proceed.
2Open Your New App
Click on your newly created app to open it. You'll be taken to the App Overview, which is currently empty since we haven't added any sheets yet.
3Add Sample Data
For this first app, we'll use some sample data that comes with Qlik Sense. Click on "Add data" and then select "Sample data" from the options.
Choose the "Sales" sample data file and click "Add data" to load it into your app.
4Create Your First Sheet
From the App Overview, click "Create new sheet." Give your sheet a name like "Sales Overview" and click "Create."
5Add Your First Visualization
In Edit mode, you'll see the Assets panel on the left. From the "Charts" section, drag a "Bar chart" onto your sheet.
In the properties panel that appears on the right:
- Under Dimensions, add "Product Category"
- Under Measures, add "Sum(Sales)"
You should now see a bar chart showing sales by product category.
6Add a Filter
Drag a "Filter pane" from the Assets panel onto your sheet. In the properties panel, add "Region" as a dimension.
Now you can filter your bar chart by selecting different regions.
7Save and Done
Click "Done" in the top right corner to exit Edit mode. Your sheet will be saved automatically.
Congratulations! You've just created your first Qlik Sense app with a visualization and a filter. Try selecting different regions in the filter pane and watch how your bar chart updates instantly.
1.6 Next Steps
Now that you have a basic understanding of Qlik Sense and have created your first simple app, you're ready to dive deeper into the world of Qlik. In the next chapter, we'll explore data loading in more detail, including:
- Understanding different data sources
- Using the Data Manager for simple data loading
- Introduction to the Data Load Editor and script basics
- Creating associations between tables
Practice Exercise: Try expanding your first app by adding more visualizations to your sheet. Experiment with different chart types like pie charts, line charts, and tables. Try using different dimensions and measures to see how they affect your visualizations.