Visualize PostgreSQL® data with Grafana®
========================================

PostgreSQL® can hold a wide variety of types of data, and creating visualisations helps gather insights on top of raw figures. Luckily, Aiven can set up the Grafana® and the integration between the two services for you.


Integrate PostgreSQL and Grafana
--------------------------------

1. On the **Overview** page for your Aiven for PostgreSQL service, go to **Manage integrations** and choose the **Monitor Data in Grafana** option.

2. Choose either a new or existing Grafana service.

   - A new service will ask you to select the cloud, region and plan to use. You should also give your service a name. The service overview page shows the nodes rebuilding, and then indicates when they are ready.
   - If you're already using Grafana on Aiven, you can integrate your PostgreSQL as a data source for that existing Grafana.

3. On the **Overview** page for your Aiven for Grafana service, select the **Service URI** link. The username and password for your Grafana service is also available on the service's **Overview** page.

Now your Grafana service is connected to PostgreSQL as a data source and you can go ahead and visualise your data.

Visualize PostgreSQL data in Grafana
------------------------------------

In Grafana, create a new dashboard and add a panel to it.

The datasource dropdown shows ``--Grafana--`` by default, but you will also find your PostgreSQL service listed here.

.. image:: /images/products/postgresql/grafana-pg-logo.png
   :alt: Screenshot of a Grafana panel showing PostgreSQL logo

With your PostgreSQL service selected, the "Query" section will show the metrics from the database in its dropdown.

.. tip::
   If no metrics are shown, check that there is data in the database

Once you are happy with your panel, give it a title and click "Save" in the top right hand corner.

.. image:: /images/products/postgresql/view-data-postgresql-grafana.png
   :alt: Screenshot of a Grafana panel

.. tip::
    Grafana expects a Time column in the query, if you don't have any, use the function ``NOW()`` which generates the up-to-date timestamp.

To get to know Grafana better, try the `Grafana Fundamentals <https://grafana.com/tutorials/grafana-fundamentals/?pg=docs>`_ page on the Grafana project site.