From your dashboard, click Customize this Page.
Select a widget (such as a chart, report, or search bar) from the widget tray.
Drag and drop the widget all the way to the far-left edge of your screen.
Move your cursor until you see a green checkmark saying "Add this to the sidebar" and release.

Understanding Quickbase's Global & App Navigation Sidebar

This left-hand sidebar—updated to replace the legacy top-bar navigation—gives you more horizontal screen space and faster access to your apps and tables.

Quick Access: Instantly access App Home, App Users, and Pipelines.
Settings Shortcuts: Hover over a table name in the sidebar and click the three dots to open a shortcut menu. This lets you access Fields, Relationships, and Advanced Settings in just two clicks.
Workspace Management: Use the pin icon at the top of the sidebar to hide it and free up screen space, or hover on the edge and drag to

How to Manage Quickbase Sidebar Widgets?

Rearrange: You can drag and drop your sidebar widgets up or down relative to each other.
Expand Views: Sidebar items can be expanded for a closer look, or to present data clearly to your team.
Remove: To take an item out of the sidebar, simply drag it back onto the main dashboard canvas.

Utilizing the Global Sidebar NavigationAside from dashboard-specific widgets (see above), Quickbase features a persistent, app-wide sidebar.

Collapse/Expand: Use the arrow to collapse or expand the sidebar. The state will persist as you navigate.
Resize: Click and drag the inner edge of the sidebar to resize it.
Settings: Hover over App Settings or a Table name and click the "more" (three-dot) menu for quick access to most commonly used settings

Author: April Barragan
Title: Solution Consultant | Quickbase
Email: abarragan@quandarycg.com
Date Updated: May 12, 2026

Top FAQS about Utilizing the Dashboard Side Bar in Quickbase

1. What is the Dashboard Sidebar in Quickbase?

The Dashboard Sidebar in Quickbase is a navigation panel that helps users quickly access reports, charts, tables, forms, pipelines, and key business tools from one centralized location within a dashboard.

The sidebar improves workflow efficiency by organizing frequently used resources into an easy-to-navigate structure.

Businesses commonly use the Quickbase Dashboard Sidebar for:

Project management
CRM navigation
Operations tracking
Team reporting
Workflow automation

2. How do I customize the Dashboard Sidebar in Quickbase?

To customize the Dashboard Sidebar in Quickbase:

Open your dashboard
Select “Customize Page” or “Edit Dashboard”
Add reports, buttons, charts, or links
Organize widgets into logical sections
Save your dashboard layout

You can personalize sidebars by:

User role
Team
Department
Workflow stage

Popular sidebar items include:

My Tasks
Open Projects
Approval Queues
KPI Reports
Shortcuts to forms

3. What are the benefits of using the Dashboard Sidebar in Quickbase?

The Quickbase Dashboard Sidebar helps users:

Navigate faster
Reduce clicks
Access key reports quickly
Improve productivity
Streamline workflows

Benefits include:

Better user experience
Personalized navigation
Faster reporting access
Improved operational visibility
Simplified dashboard organization

For growing organizations, sidebars help centralize daily workflow actions in one location.

4. Can the Quickbase Dashboard Sidebar be personalized for different users?

Yes. Quickbase allows dashboard personalization using:

Roles and permissions
User-filtered reports
Team-specific dashboards
Dynamic navigation widgets

Examples:

Sales teams see pipeline reports
Operations sees fulfillment dashboards
Executives see KPI summaries
Project managers see active project tracking

This creates a cleaner and more relevant user experience for every department.

5. What should I include in a Quickbase Dashboard Sidebar?

The best Quickbase Dashboard Sidebars typically include:

Frequently used reports
Quick-add buttons
Workflow shortcuts
KPI widgets
Calendar links
Team dashboards
Notifications
Pipeline statuses

Recommended sections:

My Works
Team Reports
Approvals
Analytics
Shortcuts
Admin Tools

Well-organized sidebars improve navigation and user adoption.

6. How do I improve navigation using the Quickbase Sidebar?

To improve Quickbase navigation with the sidebar:

Group similar reports together
Prioritize frequently used items
Minimize clutter
Use clear naming conventions
Create role-specific sections
Add direct links to forms and workflows

Example structure:

My Tasks
Team Metrics
Open Requests
Reporting Tools
Administration

This reduces time spent searching for information and increases workflow efficiency.

7. Can I use the Dashboard Sidebar for workflow automation in Quickbase?

Yes. Many businesses use the Dashboard Sidebar as a workflow hub within Quickbase.

You can add:

Pipeline monitoring reports
Approval queues
Automation triggers
Task management reports
Workflow status dashboards

This helps teams manage operational processes from a centralized workspace.

Common use cases:

Sales pipeline tracking
HR onboarding workflows
IT ticket management
Project approvals
Client onboarding

8. How do Quickbase roles affect Dashboard Sidebar visibility?

Quickbase Roles determine which sidebar items users can access.

Administrators can configure:

Dashboard visibility
Report permissions
Form access
Table access
Workflow controls

Examples:

Admins see configuration tools
Managers see team dashboards
Employees see personal task reports

This improves both usability and data security.

9. What are common mistakes when setting up a Quickbase Dashboard Sidebar?

Common Quickbase Sidebar mistakes include:

Too many navigation items
Poor organization
Generic report names
Unfiltered report
Duplicate widgets
Overloading dashboards with charts

Avoid clutter by:

Limiting unnecessary widgets
Using concise labels
Prioritizing daily workflows
Creating separate dashboards for different departments

A clean sidebar improves performance and user engagement.

10. Why is the Dashboard Sidebar important for Quickbase user adoption?

The Dashboard Sidebar plays a major role in Quickbase user adoption because it simplifies navigation and helps users quickly find the tools they need.

When dashboards are organized effectively: