--- title: Explorations slug: analytics/docs/explorations docTags: createdAt: 2026-07-20T15:45:37.924Z --- Analytics offers a library of templates for building explorations, which are key elements for performing product and behavioral analysis, and visualizing the results in Analytics. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/7K-8fHbqlvHgmnn_a95lE_home-home-page-explorations-list.png) The following templates are available: ### Report Report templates are used for specific structured analyses such as event segmentation and retention. - [Event segmentation](docId\:bCEI60aIv_KTuI4rQ5K6k) – Enables the study of specific events initiated by distinct user groups, showing their actions within a product. - [Retention](docId\:kv9dcSI5HR7B86-ivrZBO) – Enables the study of behavioral patterns of actors, such as users, to drive retention and reduce churn. - [Impact](docId\:c_RyV7OZO3AyBIwSnB9i9) – Helps increase product adoption by analyzing the proportion of actors that return to use your product. - [Funnel](docId\:bkloohLqfgFRIYlSbFTYw) – Maps the flow of website visitors to specific funnel steps that result in conversions or signups. - [Paths](docId\:UN2vBGjxhDjG8_IrszmpA) – Provides a unified view of users' paths through the product. Report templates in Analytics follow a common structure using the following modules: - **Measures** – Enables the selection of metrics to be analyzed. - **Events** – Enables the specification of user activities and interactions to be used as a basis for analysis. The configuration of this section varies based on the template type. Hover an event in the selector to see how often it is received and queried. See [Event taxonomy](https://support.optimizely.com/hc/en-us/articles/33913907774093-Event-taxonomy). - **Segmentation** – Enables comparative analysis using different cohorts and attributes. - **Visualization** – Enables the execution, viewing, and customization of the visualization representing the exploration results. :::hint{type="info"} **Note** The segmentation and visualization modules are consistent across templates, while the measure and event modules may vary based on the template type. ::: ### Ad hoc analysis Ad hoc analysis templates are used for arbitrary, unstructured exploratory analysis. - [SQL](docId\:oAsxeEwYAKJQ-GEzoaXtC) – Provides comprehensive support for [SQL](https://calcite.apache.org/docs/reference.html) (Structured Query Language) and enables you to create explorations based on the results of a SQL query. - [NetScript](docId\:WR0bZ1UaE2iEUOqbPHfN_) – Facilitates a NetScript-based query-building experience that you can use when there is a need for complex, code-based analysis. - [Universal exploration](docId\:krJNSvb99vcXCke-9hhvg) – Lets you slice and dice multiple measures, using attributes, filters, and segments by seamlessly combining BI and event analytics. - [Experiment scorecard](docId:7A_-hkbjJKMcUYA4-VZ-d) – Enhances experimentation results by integrating Optimizely Experimentation data with additional insights from your data warehouse. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/xd_m03OHL9z1dccsBe0aU_search-for-an-exploration-type-exploration-type-selection-modal.png) ## Basic actions in explorations In addition to the regular creation and configuration flow, exploration templates in Analytics also have other options available to users. ## Prerequisites[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#pre-requisites) If you are new to Analytics, you must do a few things before creating an analysis. Here’s a [Quick Start Guide](docId:1cHv2h5-4d73lsNfP_CYP) to help you start the process. Also, here are some basic [Terms and Concepts](docId:_qYUzPHaq-0idJcVCKWLP) in Analytics that you can familiarize yourself with. ## Create an exploration[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#create-an-exploration) You can create an exploration in Analytics in the following ways: - Click **+** on the navigation panel and choose the exploration of your choice. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/wvXtgWQWlgTHi2DLZr1rC_explorations-sidebar-new-exploration-menu.png) - Click **+ New** and choose the exploration of your choice. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/6SS3G6Ldc_ZKO4yJcJfo9_explorations-new-button-exploration-menu.png) - Select the exploration of your choice from the quick actions section on the home page. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/3SjSlIXSiFMZZbXRRO5Xf_home-exploration-quick-start-cards.png) - Go to **Catalog** (folder icon) **>** **Explorations >** **+ New** on the navigation panel and select the exploration of your choice. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/XVK-uyJ4bsfVTLmjnElxg_catalog-catalog-explorations-folder-new-menu.png) ## Edit exploration[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#edit-an-exploration) 1. Go to the exploration you want to edit on the home page and click **More (⋮) >** **Edit**. 2. Make necessary edits and click **Save**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/RMWGEKkYVTGYG6KyKVRA9_edit-edit-exploration-option.png) 3. Click **Run** the update the exploration. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/aeGokpP3_HY1MTNNebjUP_query-changed-query-changed-run-banner.png) You can edit an exploration's configuration while a query runs. Analytics preserves your changes until the next run rather than discarding them when results return. When edits are not yet applied, a banner displays a run option. ## Duplicate exploration[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#duplicate-an-exploration) 1. Open the exploration you want to edit and click **More (⋮) >** **Save As**. 2. Add a name and description for the duplicate, choose the folder you want to add, and click **Apply**. 3. Click **Save**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/QwEyj7HiQvL99bavTJp_f_save-duplicate-as-save-duplicate-as-dialog.png) ## Add exploration to dashboards[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#add-an-exploration-to-a-dashboard) 1. Open the exploration you want to add to a dashboard. 2. Click **More (⋮) >** **Add to Dashboard** and choose from two options: - **Pick a Dashboard** - **New Dashboard** ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/aDiTHyJl7fiS3EJsFDp8l_add-to-dashboard-add-exploration-to-dashboard-menu.png) ## Configure sampling[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#configure-sampling-for-an-exploration) 1. Click the lightning icon in the visualization window and choose a sampling mode: - **Enabled – Faster Response** - **Enabled – Higher Precision** - **Disabled** 2. Click **Apply**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/vxSaM7wY_zij6EIQAs8mf_sampling-mode-sampling-mode-options.png) ## Refresh exploration[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#refresh-exploration) Click the refresh icon in the visualization window. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/cv4rByrCYYNV2SrRGvgzn_refresh-query-refresh-query-button.png) ## Delete exploration[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#delete-an-exploration) There are two ways to delete an exploration.[​](https://app.netspring.io/documentation/docs/Explore%20Data/basic_actions#option1) 1. Click **More (⋮) >** **Delete** on the home page. Click **Delete** in the confirmation dialog. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/enhaAbn6SqFoy4n-LySfH_delete-delete-exploration-option.png) 2. Open the exploration you want to delete and click **More (⋮) >** **Delete** Click **Delete** in the confirmation dialog.