Dashboard & Statistics

The dashboard is the first thing you see after logging in. Right now it shows a couple of default widgets. Let's make it your own and give it some real data to display.

# Rearrange the Widgets

The dashboard ships with a Welcome widget and a System Status widget. Try rearranging them:

1. Click and hold the title bar of the System Status widget.
2. Drag it above the Welcome widget.
3. Release. The widgets swap positions and the new layout is saved automatically.

Feel free to drag widgets into any order that makes sense to you.

# Remove a Widget

Let's clean up by removing the Welcome widget. You won't need it once you know your way around.

1. Hover over the Welcome widget.
2. Click the × icon in the top-right corner of the widget.
3. Confirm the removal when prompted.

The widget disappears. Don't worry, removing a widget doesn't delete any data, it just hides the panel.

# Reset the Layout

Changed your mind? You can always start over.

1. Click the Manage widgets button on the dashboard toolbar.
2. Click Reset to default (or the reset option in the menu).
3. Confirm. Your dashboard returns to the default layout with all the original widgets restored.

# Add Traffic Statistics

October CMS includes a built-in statistics plugin that tracks page views. Let's turn it on and generate some sample data.

1. Navigate to Settings → Internal Traffic Statistics in the main menu.
2. Click the Generate Data button to create some sample traffic data. This fills the statistics widget with fake page views so you can see how it looks.
3. Go back to the Dashboard by clicking the Dashboard link in the top menu.

You should now see a traffic chart on your dashboard. If it doesn't appear automatically, click Manage widgets, add the Traffic overview widget, and save.

# Next Steps

Your dashboard is set up. Next, let's create another administrator account and explore roles. Continue to Managing Administrators.