Fixed Layout vs. Automatic Layout in Bold BI
Bold BI offers two primary layout modes: Fixed and Automatic. Each is designed to help you build dashboards that suit your audience, use case, and display environment. This article explains both modes, compares their features, and provides clear guidance on when to use each.
Automatic Layout
Automatic Layout allows the dashboard to resize and rearrange widgets based on the viewer’s screen size and orientation (desktop, tablet, or mobile). It provides a responsive and adaptive viewing experience.
Key Benefits:
- Works well across a range of devices
- Adjusts automatically to screen size and orientation
- Requires less maintenance for cross-device compatibility.
- Ideal for dashboards accessed by users on various devices
- Recommended for mobile/tablet-friendly dashboards or customer-facing portals.
Limitations:
- Reduced control over exact widget dimensions and layout
- In complex dashboards, the rearranged layout may not always meet expectations
Fixed Layout
Fixed Layout locks the dashboard design to specific dimensions. This ensures a consistent appearance across all devices, as the layout does not adapt dynamically to screen size or orientation. The layout remains consistent regardless of the screen size, ensuring a pixel-perfect experience.
Key Benefits:
- Maintains exact layout and design
- Prevents widget movement or scaling
- Best for environments with known screen sizes or export requirements
- Full control over the layout’s visual structure.
Limitations:
- Not responsive; does not adjust to different screen sizes or devices
- May result in scrollbars or cut-off content on smaller screens
- Requires more effort to support multiple devices consistently.
When to Use Each Layout
| Scenario | Recommended Layout |
|---|---|
| Known screen size or embedded iframe | Fixed Layout |
| Multiple devices with varying screen sizes | Automatic Layout |
| PDF or image export | Fixed Layout |
| Performance optimization | Fixed Layout |
| Pixel-perfect design needed | Fixed Layout |
| Embedding in containers with unknown dimensions | Automatic Layout |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Fixed Layout | Automatic Layout |
|---|---|---|
| Responsive design | No | Yes |
| Widget resizing based on screen | No | Yes |
| Design consistency | Yes | No |
| Performance on large dashboards | Better | May impact due to frequent adjustments |
| Suitable for export | Yes | No |
| Use case | Known screens, exports | Varying screens, embedded dashboards |
Summary
Choosing the right layout depends on your dashboard’s purpose:
- Choose Fixed Layout when consistency, exact design, or export quality is essential.
- Choose Automatic Layout when responsiveness and accessibility across devices are the priority.
Additional Resources
