FAQ

Everything You Need to Know

Answers to our most frequently asked questions.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, just email us.

What is Datastory?

Datastory is a visual, no-code platform that helps you turn data into interactive stories, dashboards, or full websites.

If you’re trying to:

  • Show your research in an interactive way
  • Impress clients with visual reports
  • Help the public or stakeholders understand data
  • Create no-code reusable tools and dashboards

Datastory was made for you.

Who is it for?

For Consultants, Agencies, and Corporate Comms

  • Need to create polished client deliverables fast?
  • Want to stand out with interactive dashboards or reports?
  • Don’t have time (or devs) to build custom sites from scratch?
  • You’re in the right place.

For NGOs, Journalists, and Policy Communicators

  • Need to visualize program impact or research findings?
  • Want to combine your data with open data for deeper insight?
  • Need a quick way to build public-facing data stories or portals?
  • You’re in the right place, too.
What Can I Do With Datastory?

With Datastory, you can create:

  • Dashboards for KPIs, research, or survey results
  • Interactive articles and explainers with charts & maps
  • Thematic websites or microsites for donors or campaigns
  • Tools like survey explorers, climate simulators, or budget trackers

All with no code. Just drop in your data, choose a template, and publish.

What’s Included?

Studio – Drag-and-drop visual editor

Build rich, interactive pages using charts, text, video, maps, and more.

CMS – Manage content and data in one place

Upload Excel, CSV, time series, or media. Everything stays connected.

Open Data Library – 500+ curated datasets

Enrich your work with trusted data (e.g., climate, economy, demographics).

Open Blocks – Ready-made templates

Maps, story sections, and charts you can remix instantly.

I’m Not Technical. Can I Still Use It?

Absolutely. Datastory is designed for people who know their data but don’t want to code. Just drag, drop, write, and publish.

Bonus for developers: Use APIs, custom blocks, and integrations. (Click here or See below)

Can I Collaborate With My Team?

Yes. On paid plans, you can:

  • Work in real time
  • Invite team members
  • Assign user roles (Editor, Reviewer, Admin)
  • Share templates and components
  • Leave comments and track changes

Great for agencies or research teams who need consistency and speed.

How Does Publishing Work?
  • Hit “Publish” to generate a shareable link
  • Use your own domain (e.g. impact.yourorg.org) on paid plans
  • Embed charts or stories on your existing site
  • Charts auto-update when your data changes
What Chart Types Can I Use?

Datastory supports:

  • Bar, line, pie, bubble & race charts
  • Maps (choropleth, point, tile-based)
  • Tables, timelines, filters, and sliders
  • New visual formats added regularly

Plus: add tooltips, annotations, and filters to guide readers.

What If My Data Changes?

No problem. If your data is in the CMS, any published visual updates automatically. Perfect for recurring reports or live dashboards.

Can I Use My Own Data?

Yes. Drag in your CSV, Excel file, time series, or survey data. Datastory interprets it automatically and suggests visuals.

Plus, you can combine it with open datasets for extra context.

What About Security and Privacy?
  • GDPR compliant
  • EU hosting available
  • Role-based access control
  • On-prem or private cloud available for enterprise use
How is This Different from BI Tools or Web Builders?

Power BI / Tableau:

  • Focus: Internal analytics
  • Datastory’s Edge: Datastory is made for external, visual storytelling

Wix / Webflow:

  • Focus: Website design
  • Datastory’s Edge: Datastory is built for data storytelling, with charts, maps, and structured data

Flourish / Datawrapper:

  • Focus: Chart tools
  • Datastory's Edge: Datastory includes a full CMS, website builder, open data, and AI support
Can I Try It for Free?

Yes! Start with our free plan no time limit. Great for solo consultants, junior analysts, journalists, or policy staff testing ideas.

Paid plans unlock:

  • Team collaboration
  • Custom branding & domains
  • Advanced analytics & export options
Bonus for Non-Profits and Civic Projects

Datastory.org supports civic tech, transparency, and data literacy. NGOs and journalists can apply for discounted licenses, training, and ambassador programs.

👉 Learn more at [datastory.org]

Enterprise & Consulting Support

Need help scaling up or integrating Datastory into your organization?

We offer full-service support, from first prototype to full deployment.

We support teams with:

  • Data strategy & semantic modeling
  • Custom visual design & UI/UX theming
  • CMS and system integrations
  • Training, workshops, and narrative consulting
  • Secure hosting (EU, private cloud, or on-prem)

  • Learn more here about our full-service support (click here or see below )
Datastory Academy & Ambassadors

Datastory Academy

Free learning hub with tutorials, workshops, and templates.

Perfect for NGOs, schools, and civic organizations.

Ambassador Program

For journalists, educators, and data literacy advocates.

Get early access, share feedback, and collaborate on public-interest projects.

👉 Apply at [Datastory.org]

What Is Datastory.org?

Datastory.org is our non-profit branch, focused on civic tech and public-interest data stories.

It combines the Datastory platform with open data, editorial content, and learning resources to make critical topics accessible to all.

Most content is published under open licenses and available for reuse.

Still Have Questions?
  • Explore [Datastory Academy] for guides and tutorials
  • Join our [community forum]
  • Contact [support or sales] for help, demos, or quote
Can I integrate external data sources or connect my own databases?

Yes. Our GraphQL and REST APIs let you push data into the CMS or fetch data from it. We also have built-in connectors for popular databases.

Which programming languages are supported?

Any language that can make HTTP requests can integrate with Datastory. We provide code examples in Python, Node.js, and more.

Can I schedule automated data updates?

Yes. Use cron jobs or scripts on your side to push new data via the API. We also support data refresh triggers—contact us for details.

Does Datastory allow direct SQL queries?

Typically, you interact with our system through APIs. For enterprise projects, we can discuss custom database connections.

What is the semantic layer in Datastory?

It’s our method for defining and managing “governed metrics” so you don’t have to redefine them across different stories or datasets. We leverage linked-data principles for flexibility.

Why is semantic layer helpful?

You can define “Total Emissions by Region” (as an example) once, then reuse it in various charts or sites. This avoids inconsistencies and duplications.

Do I need to be an expert on data modeling?

Not for basic usage. Upload CSVs as usual. The semantic layer mostly benefits large or complex organizations that need consistent definitions across multiple projects.

Can I merge data from multiple departments?

Yes. The semantic layer excels at bringing together diverse datasets under shared definitions or categories, preventing fragmented or duplicated data.

What kind of consulting services does Datastory offer?

Datastory provides a range of professional services—from data strategy and custom visualization design to system integration and training. Whether you need help connecting Datastory to your internal databases, refining data workflows, or building entire data-driven portals, our team can guide you every step of the way.

What does a typical project look like?

Projects generally begin with a discovery phase, where we clarify objectives, data sources, and user needs. Next comes the brainstorming and concept development phase, where we refine designs and data flows in close collaboration with the client. Finally, we deploy the finished product, provide documentation and training, and ensure ongoing support. Typical timelines can range from a few weeks to several months, depending on scope and complexity.

How much does a project with Datastory cost?

Costs vary depending on factors like dataset complexity, custom features, and overall timeline. We’re happy to provide detailed quotes after an initial consultation.

Can I integrate Datastory into my current website?

Yes. You can embed Datastory’s interactive charts, pages, or full apps into your existing site via iframes or custom blocks. For seamless experiences, many clients use custom domains (e.g., stories.yoursite.com) so the final product feels native to your brand. Deeper integration (e.g., single sign-on, API-level customizations) is also possible with our enterprise package.

Can I reach out for questions or advice free of charge?

Absolutely. We offer an initial discovery call or email consultation at no cost, so you can explore whether Datastory suits your needs. For ongoing advisory support, training sessions, or deeper project work, we’ll propose a consulting package tailored to your objectives.

How does Datastory handle large or sensitive datasets?

We use secure cloud infrastructure with industry-standard encryption in transit (HTTPS) and at rest. For sensitive or regulated data, we can discuss private cloud or on-prem solutions. Our data modeling approach (including semantic standards and RDF under the hood) ensures consistent, validated data handling across complex datasets.

Do you offer custom branding or theming?

Yes. We can match your organization’s look and feel—from logos and color palettes to more advanced UI/UX customizations. This includes styling your entire Datastory workspace or each individual data-driven application.

Can you migrate data from our existing systems or legacy databases?

Yes. Our solutions team can assist in data migration, whether from CSV exports, SQL databases, or specialized systems. We’ll ensure the data is properly modeled and synchronized so you can quickly start building visualizations or apps in Datastory.

Do you provide training or workshops for enterprise teams?

We do. Our training programs cover every aspect of Datastory—Studio fundamentals, CMS workflows, data best practices, and advanced features like the semantic layer. Sessions can be held on-site or remotely, tailored to different skill levels within your organization.

What if we need on-premises or private cloud hosting?

While Datastory is primarily SaaS, for larger enterprise clients we can explore private cloud or on-premises setups, starting around [$$ / typical budget threshold]. This option is useful for organizations with strict security or compliance requirements.

Can Datastory’s consultants help with data storytelling strategy?

Yes. Beyond technical integrations, we can also advise on narrative structure, design best practices, and data interpretation to ensure your project tells a clear, engaging story that resonates with your audience.

Is Datastory GDPR-compliant and privacy-focused?

We store data in secure regions (often within the EU, if required) and maintain compliance with GDPR regulations. Our consulting engagements can also include data-privacy reviews to confirm alignment with your internal policies.

If I want to update our data later on, how does it work?

Keeping your application relevant and up to date is key to long-term value. Too often, data-driven tools become outdated because they’re treated as one-off projects. To avoid this, we import your data into Data Manager, a tool within the Datastory Platform that makes it easy to edit and update your data over time. There are a couple of ways we handle data updates, depending on your needs.

  • Automated updates: We can set up a custom database connection with scheduled import jobs (cron jobs) that pull updates from your system automatically.
  • Manual updates: We can simply load it once into Data Manager, and you can log in to Data Manager and make updates manually whenever needed.

The right setup depends on how often your data changes and the volume of updates. We’ll help you estimate the most cost-effective and practical solution for your situation.