# Analytics overview & the native data layer

**Category:** [Analytics](https://help.totalctrl.app/hc/totalctrl/totalctrl-help-center/en-US/categories/analytics-1)
**Updated:** 2026-08-19

The Analytics app builds dashboards from two kinds of data: a built-in **native data layer** that reads directly from your other TotalCtrl apps, and **external sources** you connect (data warehouses and analytics tools).
## Native Data

Native metrics need no setup — they query your live app data. Analytics ships metrics across **16 apps**, including Surveys, CRM, Newsletter, Projects, Issue Tracking, Support, Accounting, Time Tracking, CSM, Document Signing, Community, Product Requests, Ads, Session Replay, Product Tours and Consent. You only see metrics for the apps you have access to.
## External sources

Connect Snowflake, BigQuery, Datadog or Google Analytics to chart warehouse data alongside your native metrics. See [connecting external sources](connect-external-sources).

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## Related Articles

- [Build a dashboard and add panels](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/build-a-dashboard)
- [Explore the built-in app dashboards](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/explore-built-in-dashboards)
- [Connect external data sources](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/connect-external-sources)
- [Share a dashboard](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/share-a-dashboard)
- [Analytics Overview](https://help.totalctrl.app/en-US/articles/analytics-overview)

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