Interactive Data Explorer

Credible Explorer is a no-code, visual query builder built on top of the Malloy semantic modeling language. It provides a seamless interface for exploring data, analyzing key business metrics, and building reusable queries — all without writing code. Under the hood, every action in the Explorer generates valid Malloy, ensuring semantic consistency & trust while enabling flexible data exploration.

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Key Benefits

• Semantic-first foundation – Queries run against governed Malloy models with defined business logic
• No-code interface – Build queries visually with dimensions, measures, and charts
• Nested analysis – Drill into multi-level breakdowns using Malloy’s native nesting

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Interface Overview

Credible Explorer is organized into three main panels:

1. Source Panel – Browse available dimensions, measures, and views from the semantic model.
2. Query Panel – Assemble and refine your query using a clean visual editor.
3. Results Panel – View results as tables or charts, and inspect the underlying Malloy and SQL.

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Source Panel

The Source Panel is where exploration begins. It presents the structure of the selected Malloy model — typically organized around a central transactional or fact table — and surfaces all the fields and reusable logic available for analysis. The panel is organized into three sections:

• Dimensions – Attributes you can group by, filter on, or sort with.
• Measures – Predefined metrics you can aggregate, filter on, or sort with.
• Views – Saved queries or perspectives authored in the model and ready to run.

Hovering over a field or view in the Source Panel will show actions you can take to add it to your query - selections will immediately appear in the Query Panel, ready to run or modify.

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Dimensions

The Dimensions section lists descriptive fields — such as IDs, dates, categories, and derived attributes — from both the primary model and any joined sources. Dimensions are grouped by their source. For example, in a query centered around order_items, you might also see dimensions from joined models like users, inventory_items, or products. Hovering over a dimension reveals contextual actions:

• Add as Group By – Segment the result by this dimension.
• Add as Filter – Apply a filter based on the field.
• Add as Sort – Sort the result set by this value.

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Measures

The Measures section contains all aggregated metrics available in the current model. These are grouped by source and include calculations such as totals, averages, counts, and ratios. Hovering over a measure provides the following actions:

• Add as Aggregate – Include the metric in the result set.
• Add as Filter – Use the measure to restrict the result set.
• Add as Sort – Sort results based on the metric value.

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Views

The Views section surfaces saved queries defined in the underlying Malloy model. These views often represent curated KPIs, commonly-used explorations, or analytical building blocks. Views can be a good starting point for your queries, or may be useful to nest within your query to dive deeper. Hovering over a view provides the following actions:

• Add to Query – Add the view to your query.
• Add as Nested Query – Add the view to your query as a nested query.

Clicking a view loads its full query into the Query Panel, where it can be run, modified, or used as a base for deeper exploration. If a query is already open, the view will be added to the query as a nested query.

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Query Panel

The Query Panel is where queries come together. It provides a structured, visual representation of your query — and supports far more than basic field selection.

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Top Components

• Run Button – Executes the query and displays the result.
• Clear Button – Removes the current query configuration.
• Source – Displays the source the query is running against.
• Main query
  • Add Query Element (+)
  • More Actions Menu (...) – Includes:
    • Clear Query
    • Nest Query (used to add subqueries — see below)
  • Chart Type Selector – Select the type of chart to display the results.
  • Query display – Displays the current query you’ve built.

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Add Query Element (+)

This menu allows you to add fields and logic by operation, rather than by data source. Categories include:

• Add Group By
• Add Aggregate
• Add Filter
• Add View
• Limit
• Order By
• Add Blank Nested Query

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Display Format Selector

Choose how to visualize your results. Available formats include:

• Table
• Bar Chart
• Dashboard
• Line Chart
• JSON
• List / List Detail
• Dashboard
• Point Map
• Scatter Chart
• Segment Map

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Query Configuration

Your current query is displayed using clearly labeled sections:

• Group By
• Aggregate
• Filter By
• Order By
• Limit

Each section reflects the logic of your query and is fully editable. Hovering over a section will show another way to add elements to the query.

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Nested Queries

Malloy’s nesting feature enables rich, multidimensional analysis — and the Explorer gives you a no-code way to use it. To add a nested query, either:

• Select Nest Query from the Query Panel More Actions menu.
• Hover over a view in the Source Panel and select Add as Nested Query.

Each nested block can have its own groupings, aggregates, filters, ordering and even additional nests. Use nesting to:

• Break down results by subgroups
• Create expandable subtables or charts
• Explore deep, layered data relationships

Reference: Malloy Nested Views Documentation

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Results Panel

The Results Panel displays your query output whenever you click Run. Results are rendered according to your selected chart type and include support for nested results.

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Visual Output

The Results Panel renders results in the format specified by in the query above (e.g., table, chart, dashboard, etc.). Nested queries produce expandable sub-tables or inline charts that show multidimensional breakdowns per row.

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Code Transparency

Malloy Tab – Shows the Malloy query generated by your visual configuration. SQL Tab – Displays the fully compiled SQL sent to the database. This transparency gives developers, analysts, and AI systems full access to inspect, reproduce, or extend any query.

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