How to Create Custom Reports (Free-form Report) in GA4

Ready to streamline your GA4 reporting? Free-form reports enable you to:

• Build Custom Reports in your GA4 property

• Apply filters and segments quickly and easily

• Access key metrics faster than using the GA4 interface

  
  

This step-by-step guide will show you how to build custom free-form reportsin Google Analytics 4, quickly and easily!

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How to Create a Custom Report (Free-form Report) in GA4

Step 1: Create a Free form Report

1. Login to your Google Analytics account

2. Navigate to "Explore" in left-hand-side menu

3. Select "Free-form"

Step 2: Configure your Free-form report

Import Dimensions

1. Click "+" next to DIMENSIONS

2. Select desired dimensions

3. Click "Import"
   

Adding Metrics

1. Click "+" next to Metrics

2. Select desired metrics

3. Click "Import"
   

Building Your Report

1. Drag and drop dimensions under "Rows"

2. Drag and drop metrics under "Values"
   

Customizing your Report's Look and Feel

Choose from:

• Cell Type: Plain Text, Bar Chart, Heat Map

• Sort Order: Click columns to sort

Step 3: Add Filters and Segments (if needed)

Add Segments

1. Click "+" next to Segments

2. Choose Session or User segment

3. Set criteria

4. Save and Apply
   

Add Metric Filters

1. Go to Tab Settings > Filters

2. Click "Filters"

3. Create rule

4. Apply
   

Add Dimension Filters

1. Access Filters section

2. Select dimension

3. Set filter criteria

4. Apply

💡Pro Tips

• You can create multiple free form report tabs: Click "+" next to Free-form 1

• You can rename your Free form report, simply navigate Exploration Name (top-left-hand-side) and give your Free form report tab a new name

• You can download the report via clicking on the "Export data" button on the top-right-hand side

• You can share your free form reports with everyone who has access to your Google Analytics property! Simply click on the "Share exploration" button (top-right-hand-side) and select "Share"

Frequently Asked Questions on Custom Reports (Free-form Reports) in GA4

Are Free-form reports automatically saved?

Yes. GA4 automatically saves your Free-form reports every time you make changes. You'll see a "Saving..." indicator in the top-right corner when changes are being saved.

How can I download Free-form reports?

Download options:

1. Click the "Export data" button on the top-right-hand-side

2. You can download the Free form report as:

   • Google Sheets

   • TSV

   • CSV

   • Excel spreadsheet

   • PDF
     

     
     

How can I share Free-form reports?

1. Click the "Share exploration" button (top-right-hand-side)

2. Click "Share"

3. The report will be shared with all users of the exploration's property in read-only mode.

   
   
   
   

Who can see my Free-form reports?

Reports are not automatically visible to all users:

• Admin users see all reports

• Viewers see ONLY the reports shared with them

• Custom roles may have restricted access