---
title: "AI Dashboards: Attributes v. Metrics"
slug: "r365-intelligence-attributes-v-metrics"
description: "Attributes (blue) group data like dates and locations; metrics (orange) measure performance like gross sales. Learn attribute forms and elements."
updated: 2026-02-25T06:21:48Z
published: 2026-02-25T06:21:48Z
canonical: "docs.restaurant365.com/r365-intelligence-attributes-v-metrics"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.restaurant365.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Dashboards: Attributes v. Metrics

Dashboards are built using two core data types: attributes and metrics. Attributes define how data is grouped. Metrics define what is calculated. Together, they determine what appears in a dashboard visualization.

---

## Attributes

Data objects labeled with teal/blue colored icons ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/c97af845-8ed6-477f-a53b-2aae53f47d7e.png) are called attributes. Attributes are business concepts that provide context for reporting and analysis. In the dataset, Attributes are labeled with teal or blue icons.

Attributes group data. On a dashboard, they act as labels that organize Metrics.

Examples of Attributes include:

- Dates
- Months
- Years
- Quarters
- Weeks
- Locations
- ID numbers
- Times
- Accounts
- Menu items
- Order mode

When only an attribute is added to a visualization, the system displays the attribute and its elements without calculated values.

### Attribute Elements

Attributes are made up of attribute elements that are the individual values within the attribute.

| **Example** The **Order Mode** Attribute is made up of the following Attribute Elements: - Delivery - Dine-In - Pick Up/To Go | The **Months** Attribute is made up of the following Attribute Elements: - January - February - March - April, etc. |
| --- | --- |

### Attribute Forms

Some attributes include additional descriptive fields called attribute forms. Forms provide more detail about an attribute.

| **Example** The **Location** attribute contains different informational descriptors for Location. This attribute may have the following forms: - Location name - Location number |
| --- |

Attributes are automatically created when data is imported.

---

## Metrics

Data items labeled with orange/yellow colored icons ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/3d7c5661-8f69-4867-a567-30197e1393d6.png) are called metrics. Metrics are calculations performed on dataset values. In the dataset, metrics are labeled with orange or yellow icons.

Metrics measure performance. They return numeric results in a visualization.

Examples of metrics include:

- Gross sales
- Guest count
- Forecasted sales
- Sales per hour
- Sales per labor hour (SPLH)
- Labor hours

When a metric is added to a visualization that includes an attribute, the system calculates the metric for each attribute element.

Metrics are automatically created when data is imported. Metrics can also be created. Learn more about [creating new Metrics.](/doc/docs/r365-intelligence-creating-metrics)

---

## Attributes and Metrics on a Visualization

In the example below, the attributes are on the horizontal axes. In the left visualization, the attribute used is the **Date**. On the right, the attribute is the **Day of Week**. The metrics used are **Net Sales** (left) and **Gross Sales** (right).

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-AF4FS07N.png)