How to improve reports loading time (filter, split, caching, data cube)

If a report or dashboard requires a long time to calculate, this page outlines the available options to improve performance.

In general, the calculation time of a report is strongly influenced by the number of data points. The number of data points is determined by multiplying the number of interviews included in the report by the number of variables in the survey.

A report with approximately 2,500,000 data points typically requires around 10–15 seconds to calculate and load.

Filter data on the report level (all report types)

Global report filters available in all report types allow to pre-filter data before calculations are performed.

Applying report filters can significantly reduce report calculation time, for example by limiting the scope to completed interviews (when many in-progress or not-responded interviews are present) or by restricting the dataset to a recent period (when working with extensive historical data).

Dashboards only: if interviews cannot be limited at the global report level, but dynamic filters are used within the dashboard, it is also possible to define a default value for a dynamic report filter. This ensures that a reduced dataset is loaded initially, while report viewers retain the option to adjust the filter manually.

Example: Report Filter in Report Wizard:

Example: Report filter in Dashboard:

Split the report (all report types)

It is easy to create a large report, especially when using report wizards. Larger reports may require more time to load.

To improve loading times, one of the ways is to split the report into several smaller ones.

For example, instead of creating one Expert Report with five segmentations and all questions included, it is possible to split it into five reports, each containing one type of segmentation. Alternatively, all segmentations can remain in place, but each survey section can be presented in a separate report.

Enable page by page calculation

These option aim to reduce the initial loading time of a report, especially when it contains a large dataset. When it’s is enabled, the report loads faster at the beginning because only the first page is calculated immediately. Additional pages are calculated only when the user navigates to them. This means switching between pages may take slightly longer.

You can enable page by page calculation at the individual report level in Expert Reports and Dashboards.

Calculation settings in Expert Reports:

Calculation settings in Dashboards:

Adjust how report results are stored (report caching)

Caching controls whether the system stores previously calculated report results.
Its goal is to make all future loads of the same report significantly faster and ensure consistent results for all users.

When to use caching 

Use Enable caching when: 

• The dashboard design is finished and no longer changes 
• Survey data collection is finished or 
• The dashboard does not use dynamic report filters. 

In these cases, caching ensures fast and consistent report loading for all users. 

When not to use caching

Each dynamic filter combination selected by a viewer is treated as a separate report cache. This means:

• Every filter combination is calculated for the first time using the data available at that moment 
• If you survey is still collecting data, different filter combinations may be calculated and cached on different underlying data sets 
• Users may see inconsistent results, depending on when each filter combination was first calculated. 

⚠️ Exception for advanced users. See Tips & Tricks to learn more.

How to enable caching

You can enable caching at the individual report level in Expert Reports and Dashboards.

Caching settings in Expert Reports:

Caching settings in Dashboards:

When Enable caching is turned on: 

• The report is calculated once and saved (when the first person opens it).
• All users see the same saved version of the report.
• Report loading is significantly faster.

The cached version is used until: 

• The cache expires automatically (based on the validity period), or 
• The cache is manually cleared using Purge Cache.

Advanced caching settings

After enabling caching, you can use these additional settings to control how cached results are managed and refreshed.

Enable calculation in the background

This setting calculates the report in the background without requiring the user to wait on the screen. Once the calculation is complete, the user receives an email notification. It is useful for large reports and helps prevent browser timeouts during processing.

Cache validity period

The cache validity period can be set:

• globally at the workspace level:

• overridden at the survey level:

• overridden for individual report level (Expert):

• overridden for individual report level (Dashboard):

Two modes are available:

• Cache valid for time period – the cache expires automatically after X hours.
• Cache valid until manual purge – the cache stays active until someone clears it.

Enable pre-calculation of file exports

When enabled, export files (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are pre-generated in the background during the main report calculation. As a result, exporting the report becomes much faster because the file is already prepared.

Set global time zone for report cache

This option ensures that all cached results use a single, consistent time zone. It helps avoid creating multiple cached versions based on different viewers’ time zones. If disabled, each time zone may trigger a new calculation and a new cached version.

Purge cache now

This action clears the cache immediately at the selected level (workspace, survey, or report). The next time the report is opened, it is fully recalculated with the most up‑to‑date data

Availability of caching settings by location 

The table below shows which report caching options are available in each area of Survalyzer: 

Data Cube (Dashboards)

Data Cube is a premium technical solution available for accounts with Expert licenses. It enables significantly faster processing of data for selected surveys and reports. For example, more than 10,000,000 data points can be calculated in under 10 seconds.

Currently, Data Cubes can only be purchased and activated through direct contact with the Account Management or Customer Success Management team.

When to use

Data Cubes are typically used for surveys that collect large volumes of data over extended periods, such as:

• Trackers (e.g. NPS tracker survey)
• Transactional or event-based surveys (e.g. customer service feedback)
• Template master surveys, where the same survey is reused multiple times with different configurations (e.g. event feedback surveys)

Important information

• One Data Cube can be enabled per survey, and it will apply to all reports within that survey (activation required by CSM).
• Each report must have the Data Cube calculation setting enabled for the cube to be used in that report (activation required by CSM).
• The Expert License subscription includes 1 Data Cube.
• The Dashboard Extension subscription includes 2 additional Data Cubes.

If a Data Cube needs to be enabled or purchased for a survey and its related reports, please contact the Account Management or Customer Success Management team.

Data Cube synchronization

Data Cubes are synchronized automatically once per day overnight. This daily sync keeps dashboard data updated while reducing background system load.

If you need the latest available data before the next automatic sync, you can start a manual sync from the Analyze sidebar.

To do this, open the Data cube section and click Sync data cube now. The sync may take a couple of minutes, depending on the data volume. When the sync is complete, the Last data cube sync date will be updated.

Tips & Tricks

Advanced caching set-up for dashboard with dynamic report filters on live survey:

For advanced users only:
You can use caching even when a survey is still collecting data and the dashboard has dynamic report filters. This requires a custom setup. To make sure all dynamic filter combinations are calculated using the same dataset, do the following:

• Add a global report filter:
  “Include interviews created before {{date}}”.
  You can:
  • use a fixed date (for example, if you plan to clear the cache manually each month), or
  • use a dynamic date placeholder, such as {{beginningofthismonth}}.
• Make sure the cache is cleared on the same schedule as the date filter:
  • either manually, or
  • automatically, based on the cache validity settings.