> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/features/automations/dashboard-summary.md).

# Dashboard Summary

The Dashboard Summary automation reads a dashboard, has the AI write a narrative covering what's on it, and emails the result. Optionally, it also saves a snapshot of the dashboard alongside the summary.

Best for stakeholders who don't want to log in but want the gist.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Example Dashboard Summary email showing a headline paragraph, three bullet points, and a thumbnail link to the dashboard.

### Configuration

#### Pick the dashboard

In the **Select Dashboard** dropdown, pick which dashboard to summarize. Only dashboards in the current project show up.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Configuration form with Dashboard dropdown open and three dashboards listed.

#### Custom prompt (optional)

The **Prompt** field lets you guide the AI's tone, focus, or format. Examples:

* "Keep it under 150 words and lead with the biggest change."
* "Focus on what changed week-over-week. Don't mention overall averages."
* "Write in 繁體中文 for our Hong Kong clients."
* "Include a one-line recommendation at the end."

Leave blank for the default behavior — a balanced summary across all charts.

#### Schedule

Daily, Weekly, or Monthly. Weekly is the most common cadence for stakeholder summaries.

#### Recipients

Standard email list.

### Output

* Email to recipients with the AI-written narrative.
* A dashboard snapshot (so the recipient can click through to see the actual charts at the time the summary was written).
* In-app snapshot view under the automation's Snapshots tab.

### When to use vs Daily Brief

| Use Dashboard Summary when...                   | Use Daily Brief when...            |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- |
| You have a specific dashboard you want narrated | You want a cross-platform digest   |
| Audience is a stakeholder, not an operator      | Audience is the marketing operator |
| Cadence is weekly or monthly                    | Cadence is daily                   |

You can run both — they serve different audiences and answer different questions.

### Tier availability

* **Growth, Scale, Agency** — fully available.
* **Starter** — limited to one Dashboard Summary automation.

### Tips

* **Match dashboard to audience.** Client dashboards get client-focused summaries. Internal dashboards get internal-style summaries.
* **Lock the date range on the source dashboard.** The summary inherits whatever date range the dashboard has — if your dashboard defaults to "Last 7 days," the summary will be a weekly view.
* **Iterate on the prompt.** First few runs, the AI may emphasize things you don't care about. Refine the prompt over a few cycles.

### Troubleshooting

* **Summary looks generic** — write a more specific custom prompt. "Summarize this dashboard" gets generic output; "What changed week-over-week and what should I do about it?" gets focused output.
* **Wrong date range** — the source dashboard's date range, not the schedule, determines what gets summarized.

### Related

* [Daily Brief](/documentation/features/automations/daily-brief.md) — cross-platform digest.
* [Generate report from dashboard](/documentation/features/reports/generate-from-dashboard.md) — one-shot polished report instead of a recurring summary.
* [Reports](/documentation/features/reports.md) — for .pptx-style deliverables.