Fix common problems – missing menus, empty widgets, access errors, and more.
Overview
Most Advance Dashboard issues fall into a few categories: installation and access (cannot see the app or a dashboard), empty or wrong data (widgets show zero or errors), and configuration mistakes (date filters, SQL queries, or permissions). This chapter lists the most common problems and how to fix them step by step.
Work through the checklist from top to bottom – many issues are resolved by refreshing the browser, checking permissions, or setting a date filter field on a widget.
How It Works
Advance Dashboard reads data from your Odoo database in real time. If something looks wrong, the cause is usually one of: the app is not fully installed, the user lacks permission, the related Odoo app (Sales, HR, etc.) is not installed, the widget is missing a date filter field, or a Custom SQL query has an error. The tables below help you match your symptom to the right fix.
Step-by-Step – General Fixes
Refresh your browser
- Press F5 or Ctrl+R. Many permission and menu issues clear after a refresh.
Check your user role
- Settings → Users → your account → Access Rights → Advance Dashboard. You need at least User to view dashboards.
Confirm the app is installed
- Apps → search “Advance Dashboard” → should show Installed.
Check dashboard access
- If you see Overview but not a specific dashboard, it may be restricted. Ask a Manager to add you to Allowed Users or Groups.
Verify the related Odoo app
- A Sales dashboard needs the Sales app installed. Empty widgets often mean the source app is missing.
Set the widget Date Filter Field
- If date filtering seems ignored, open the widget form and set Date Filter Field.
Preview SQL queries
- For Custom SQL widgets showing errors, open the widget and click Preview Query to see the exact error message.
Contact your administrator
- If none of the above helps, provide the error message, dashboard name, and widget name to your Odoo admin.
Problem & Solution Reference
| Problem | Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
Advance Dashboard menu not visible |
App not installed or user lacks permission |
Install the app; assign Advance Dashboard → User role; refresh browser |
Cannot find app in Apps search |
Addon not on server or apps list not updated |
See Setting Up Advance Dashboard – restart Odoo, enable developer mode, Update Apps List |
“You do not have access to this dashboard” |
Dashboard restricted to specific groups/users |
Ask a Manager to add you to Allowed Groups or Allowed Users |
Dashboard list is empty |
No dashboards created or none shared with you |
Manager: create a dashboard or import demo data from Settings |
Widget shows 0 or empty chart |
No matching records, wrong date period, or missing Odoo app |
Change date filter; confirm source app installed; check widget filters |
Date filter has no effect on widget |
Date Filter Field not set on the widget |
Edit widget → set Date Filter Field (e.g., date_order, create_date) |
Widget shows red error message |
Invalid SQL, wrong model, or missing field |
Open widget form; for SQL click Preview Query; for Model check field names exist |
SQL query failed message |
Syntax error or forbidden SQL statement |
Only SELECT allowed; use Preview Query; check {#MYCOMPANY} and {#DATE_FROM} placeholders |
Drill-down not available |
Widget uses Custom SQL or List View type |
Use Odoo Model data source for drill-down; see Drill-Down into Records |
Cannot create or edit dashboards |
User has User role, not Manager |
Administrator assigns Advance Dashboard → Manager role |
Demo dashboards show no data |
Related app not installed (e.g., Sales, HR) |
Install the matching Odoo app; import demos again from Settings |
Import JSON failed |
Invalid or corrupted file |
Re-export from source system; check file is valid JSON from Advance Dashboard export |
Dashboard failed to load |
Network error or dashboard deleted |
Refresh page; confirm dashboard is Active in Overview list |
PDF or email not working |
Mail server not configured in Odoo |
Administrator configures outgoing email in Settings → Technical → Email |
Widgets overlap on screen |
Grid layout issue after import or upgrade |
Manager: open dashboard in edit mode and rearrange; or re-import demo grid fix via upgrade |
TV Mode shows stale numbers |
Auto Refresh not enabled |
Set Auto Refresh on dashboard form to 1–5 minutes |
Field Explanations
Advance Dashboard menu not visible
The app icon missing from the Odoo home screen. Usually fixed by installing the module and assigning the User security role, then refreshing the browser.
You do not have access to this dashboard
The dashboard has Allowed Groups or Allowed Users set and your account is not included. Managers can always open every dashboard.
Widget shows 0 or empty chart
Often means no records match the current filters and date period – not necessarily a bug. Try widening the date range or checking if the source Odoo app has data.
Date Filter Field not set
Without this field on the widget, the dashboard date picker does not filter that widget’s data. Each widget needs its own Date Filter Field configured.
SQL query failed
Custom SQL widgets run read-only SELECT queries. Errors appear on the widget and in Preview Query. Common causes: typos, wrong table names, or using UPDATE/DELETE (not allowed).
Drill-down not available
Only widgets with Odoo Model data source support drill-down. SQL widgets and List View widgets behave differently – see the drill-down chapter.
Demo dashboards show no data
Demo layouts connect to real Odoo data. If the Sales app is not installed, Sales demo widgets have nothing to display. Install the app first, then import demos.
Import JSON failed
The uploaded file must be a valid Advance Dashboard export. Files edited manually or from other tools may fail. Re-export from a working dashboard.
Tips
- Keep a test user with only “User” role to verify what regular employees see.
- Use Preview Query on every SQL widget before saving – it catches most SQL errors early.
- When widgets show zero, first change the date filter to “No Filter” to see if data exists at all.
- After any module upgrade, refresh the browser and re-open dashboards before assuming something broke.
- Export JSON backups of important dashboards before major changes or upgrades.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming zero means broken – Often there is simply no data for the selected period. Widen the date range first.
- Only fixing the user account when the app is not installed – Permissions do not help if Advance Dashboard is not activated in Apps.
- Editing SQL without Preview Query – Always preview SQL widgets before publishing to a shared dashboard.
- Ignoring multi-company settings – Widgets may filter by company. Switch company in Odoo top bar and check again.
- Reporting issues without details – When asking for help, include dashboard name, widget name, error text, and date filter used.