---
layout: default
title: Analyzing data
nav_order: 20
has_children: true
redirect_from:
- /dashboards/discover/index-discover/
---
# Analyzing data
To analyze your data in OpenSearch and visualize key metrics, you can use the **Discover** application in OpenSearch Dashboards. An example of data analysis in **Discover** is shown in the following image.
## Getting started
In this tutorial, you'll learn about using **Discover** to:
- Add data.
- Interpret and visualize data.
- Share data findings.
- Set alerts.
Before getting started, make sure you:
- Install [OpenSearch Dashboards](https://opensearch.org/downloads.html).
- Add sample data or import your own data into OpenSearch. Go to the [OpenSearch Dashboards quickstart guide]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/dashboards/quickstart/) to learn about adding sample datasets. Go to [Managing indexes]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/im-plugin/index/) to learn about importing your own data.
- Have a foundational understanding of [OpenSearch documents and indexes]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/im-plugin/index/).
## Defining the search
To define a search, follow these steps:
1. On the OpenSearch Dashboards navigation menu, select **Discover**.
2. Choose the data you want to work with. In this case, choose `opensearch_dashboards_sample_data_flights` from the upper-left dropdown menu.
3. Select the {::nomarkdown}
{:/} icon to change the time range of your search and then select **Refresh**.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
## Analyzing document tables
In OpenSearch, a document table stores unstructured data. In a document table, each row represents a single document, and each column contains document attributes.
To examine document attributes, follow these steps:
1. From the data table's left column, choose the {::nomarkdown}
{:/} icon to open the **Document Details** window. Select the {::nomarkdown}
{:/} icon to close the **Document Details** window.
2. Examine the metadata. You can switch between the **Table** and **JSON** tabs to view the data in your preferred format.
3. Select **View surrounding documents** to view data for other log entries either preceding or following your current document or select **View single document** to view a particular log entry.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
To add or delete fields in a document table, follow these steps:
1. View the data fields listed under **Available fields** and select the {::nomarkdown}
{:/} icon to add the desired fields to the document table. The field will be automatically added to both **Selected fields** and the document table. For this example, choose the fields `Carrier`, `AvgTicketPrice`, and `Dest`.
2. Select **Sort fields** > **Pick fields to sort by**. Drag and drop the chosen fields in the desired sort order.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
## Searching data
You can use the search toolbar to enter a [DQL]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/dashboards/discover/dql/) or [query string]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/query-dsl/full-text/query-string/) query. The search toolbar is best for basic queries; for full query and filter capability, use [query domain-specific language (DSL)]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/query-dsl/index/) in the [Dev Tools console]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/dashboards/dev-tools/index-dev/).
For more information, see [Discover and Dashboard search toolbar]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/dashboards/index/#discover-and-dashboard-search-bar).
## Filtering data
Filters allow you to narrow the results of a query by specifying certain criteria. You can filter by field, value, or range. The **Add filter** pop-up suggests the available fields and operators.
To filter your data, follow these steps:
1. Under the DQL search bar, choose **Add filter**.
2. Select the desired options from the **Field**, **Operator**, and **Value** dropdown lists. For example, select `Cancelled`, `is`, and `true`.
3. Choose **Save**.
4. To remove a filter, choose the {::nomarkdown}
{:/} icon to the right of the filter name.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
## Saving a search
To save your search, including the query text, filters, and current data view, follow these steps:
1. Select **Save** on the upper-right toolbar.
2. Add a title, and then choose **Save**.
3. Select **Open** on the upper-right toolbar to access your saved searches.
## Visualizing data findings
To visualize your data findings, follow these steps:
1. Select the {::nomarkdown}{:/} icon to the right of the field you want to visualize.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
2. Select the **Visualize** button. When the **Visualize** application is launched, a visualization appears.
The resulting view is shown in the following image.
## Setting alerts
Set alerts to notify you when your data exceeds your specified thresholds. Go to [Alerting dashboards and visualizations]({{site.url}}{{site.baseurl}}/observing-your-data/alerting/dashboards-alerting/) to learn about creating and managing alerts.