Grafana Text Panel: HTML Examples
Hey guys! Ever been stuck trying to make your Grafana dashboards look snazzy and informative? You know, beyond just pretty graphs? Well, you're in the right place, because today we're diving deep into the awesome world of the Grafana Text Panel and how you can use HTML to really make your dashboards sing! We'll be exploring some super cool Grafana text panel HTML examples that will have you customizing your dashboards like a pro in no time. Forget boring, static text – we're talking about dynamic, interactive, and visually appealing information that complements your data beautifully. Whether you're a seasoned Grafana guru or just getting started, this guide is packed with practical tips and tricks to elevate your dashboard game. So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and let's unlock the full potential of your Grafana visualizations!
Why Use HTML in Grafana Text Panels?
So, why bother with HTML in your Grafana text panels, you ask? Great question, guys! While Grafana's default text panel is functional, it's pretty basic. If you want to go beyond simple descriptions or notes, HTML is your secret weapon. Using HTML allows you to style your text, create links, embed images, and even build simple tables right within your dashboard. This means you can provide context, highlight critical information, or guide users through complex data in a way that's much more engaging and intuitive. Think about it: instead of just listing metrics, you can use HTML to create a visually appealing summary that explains what those metrics mean. You can use different font sizes, colors, and weights to emphasize key points. Need to link to external documentation or another dashboard? Easy peasy with HTML. Want to include a company logo or a relevant icon? You got it! The power of HTML in Grafana text panels transforms a standard dashboard into a rich, informative experience. It’s all about making your data not just visible, but truly understandable and actionable. Plus, it allows for a level of branding and personalization that can make your dashboards feel truly yours. This capability is crucial for teams that need to present data in a specific, standardized format, or for individuals who want to add a personal touch to their monitoring setups. We're talking about taking your dashboards from functional to fabulous!
Getting Started with Basic HTML
Alright, let's get our hands dirty with some basic HTML for your Grafana text panel. Don't worry if you're not a web development wizard; we'll keep it simple and practical. The Grafana text panel supports a good chunk of standard HTML tags, which is fantastic news for us! For starters, you can use bold text with the <b> or <strong> tags, and italic text with the <i> or <em> tags. This is super handy for emphasizing important keywords or phrases within your text. Want to create headings to structure your information? Use heading tags like <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, and so on. Remember, <h1> is the largest, and the numbers go down from there. For lists, you've got <ul> for unordered (bulleted) lists and <ol> for ordered (numbered) lists. Each item in a list is wrapped in <li>. For example, to create a simple bulleted list of key metrics, you could write:
<ul>
<li>CPU Usage: High</li>
<li>Memory Usage: Normal</li>
<li>Disk I/O: Low</li>
</ul>
See? Pretty straightforward, right? You can also create links to other websites or even other dashboards using the <a> tag with the href attribute. For instance, to link to the Grafana documentation, you'd use:
<a href="https://grafana.com/docs/">Grafana Documentation</a>
And if you want to make that link open in a new tab, just add target="_blank":
<a href="https://grafana.com/docs/" target="_blank">Grafana Documentation</a>
Crucially, remember that Grafana text panels use Markdown by default, but you can switch to HTML mode. Look for the dropdown menu at the top of the text panel editor – it usually says 'Markdown' and you can change it to 'HTML'. This is key to making your HTML tags actually render! So, practice these basics, and you'll be well on your way to creating much more dynamic and informative panels.
Advanced HTML Techniques for Dashboards
Okay, you've mastered the basics, and now you're ready to level up your Grafana text panel HTML game! Let's talk about some more advanced techniques that can make your dashboards truly stand out. One of the most powerful ways to enhance your text panels is by using CSS styling. While Grafana's text panel has some built-in styling capabilities, you can inject custom CSS directly using the <style> tag to gain granular control over the appearance of your text. Think changing font families, text colors, background colors, adding borders, and even creating complex layouts. For example, let's say you want to highlight a critical alert status with a bright red background:
<div style="background-color: #f8d7da; color: #721c24; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #f5c6cb;">
<strong>ALERT: High CPU Usage Detected!</strong>
</div>
This snippet uses inline styles within a <div> to create a visually distinct alert box. You can get really creative here, defining classes within the <style> tag and then applying those classes to your HTML elements for consistency across your panel. Another cool trick is embedding images. This is perfect for adding logos, icons, or even charts from external sources. You use the <img> tag for this. For example, to display your company logo:
<img src="/path/to/your/logo.png" alt="Company Logo" width="100">
Make sure the image path is accessible to Grafana (e.g., hosted on a web server or within Grafana's own asset directory if configured). You can also use data URIs for smaller, self-contained images, though this can make your panel content quite verbose. Creating tables is another fantastic use of HTML. While Grafana has table panels, sometimes you just need a quick, formatted list of key stats within a text panel. Use <table>, <tr> (table row), <th> (table header), and <td> (table data) tags:
<table>
<tr>
<th>Metric</th>
<th>Value</th>
<th>Status</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CPU Load</td>
<td>85%</td>
<td><span style="color: orange;">Warning</span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Memory Free</td>
<td>2GB</td>
<td><span style="color: green;">OK</span></td>
</tr>
</table>
Remember to wrap your HTML code within the text panel's editor and ensure you've selected 'HTML' as the content type. Experimenting is key here, guys! The more you play around with these Grafana text panel HTML examples, the more you'll discover what's possible.
Dynamic Data with Variables and HTML
Now, let's talk about making your Grafana text panels dynamic! This is where things get really exciting, guys. Grafana's templating features, particularly variables, can be combined with HTML to create dashboards that are not only informative but also interactive and context-aware. Imagine having a text panel that automatically updates its content based on a selected server, environment, or time range. This is achieved by referencing Grafana's built-in variables within your HTML content.
Using Built-in Variables
Grafana provides several useful variables that you can inject directly into your HTML. Some common ones include:
$__interval: The calculated interval between data points.$__timeFilter(): Represents the currently selected time range.$datasource: The name of the currently selected data source.$my_variable_name: If you've defined custom template variables (e.g., for selecting a server or an application).
Let's see how we can use these in an HTML text panel example. Suppose you want to display a title that includes the currently selected time range and data source. You could write:
<h1>Dashboard Summary</h1>
<p>
Displaying data for the time range: <strong>$__timeFilter()</strong><br>
Using data source: <strong>$datasource</strong>
</p>
When a user changes the time range or data source via the dashboard variables dropdown, this text panel will automatically update to reflect the new selections. How cool is that?
Custom Variables for Enhanced Context
Custom variables offer even more power. Let's say you have a variable named server that allows users to select a specific server from a dropdown list. You can then use this variable in your text panel to provide context specific to that server:
<h2>Server Performance Overview</h2>
<p>Showing metrics for server: <strong style="color: blue;">$server</strong></p>
<p>This panel displays key performance indicators for the selected server, updated automatically based on the chosen time range: <em>$__timeFilter()</em>.</p>
<hr>
<p>For detailed troubleshooting, please refer to the <a href="/d/your_other_dashboard_id?var-server=$server" target="_blank">Server Deep Dive Dashboard</a> (opens in new tab).</p>
Notice how we’ve embedded $server directly into the text and even used it in a link to another dashboard, dynamically filtering that dashboard by the selected server. This creates a seamless user experience. The combination of HTML and Grafana variables is incredibly potent for building dashboards that are not just data displays but interactive tools. Remember to define your custom variables in the dashboard settings (usually under the gear icon -> Variables). Experiment with different variables and HTML structures to see what works best for your specific use case. This dynamic capability is what truly transforms a static dashboard into a living, breathing monitoring system.
Practical Examples and Use Cases
Alright folks, let's tie it all together with some practical Grafana text panel HTML examples and real-world use cases. These scenarios will show you just how versatile and powerful this feature can be when you move beyond basic text.
1. Alert Status Summaries
Imagine you have multiple alert rules firing. Instead of just seeing a list of alerts, you can use an HTML panel to create a summary that visually categorizes them. For example:
<style>
.alert-ok { color: green; font-weight: bold; }
.alert-warning { color: orange; font-weight: bold; }
.alert-critical { color: red; font-weight: bold; }
</style>
<h3>Current Alert Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Database Connection: <span class="alert-ok">OK</span></li>
<li>API Latency: <span class="alert-warning">Warning</span></li>
<li>CPU Utilization: <span class="alert-critical">CRITICAL</span></li>
</ul>
<p><em>Last checked: $__unixEpochSeconds()</em></p>
This uses a simple CSS style block to color-code the status, making it instantly scannable. The inclusion of $__unixEpochSeconds() shows when the status was last updated.
2. Service Health Dashboards
For microservices or application monitoring, you can create a panel that gives a high-level health check. You could use icons (via <img> tags or even emoji) and links to detailed dashboards for each service:
<h2>Service Health Overview</h2>
<p>
<strong>Frontend App:</strong> <span style="color: green;">✅ Healthy</span> |
<a href="/d/your_frontend_dash?var-service=frontend" target="_blank">View Details</a>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Backend API:</strong> <span style="color: orange;">⚠️ Degraded</span> |
<a href="/d/your_backend_dash?var-service=api" target="_blank">View Details</a>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Database:</strong> <span style="color: red;">❌ Unhealthy</span> |
<a href="/d/your_db_dash?var-service=database" target="_blank">View Details</a>
</p>
This provides a quick glance at the health of different components and easy access to more granular information.
3. Runbook Links and Documentation
When users see an issue, they need quick access to solutions. You can embed links to your internal runbooks or documentation directly into the dashboard:
<h3>Troubleshooting Guide</h3>
<p>Seeing a <strong>CRITICAL</strong> alert? Check out our runbook for common <a href="/link/to/high_cpu_runbook" target="_blank">High CPU</a> issues.</p>
<p>For <a href="/link/to/disk_space_runbook" target="_blank">Disk Space issues</a>, please consult the relevant documentation.</p>
<img src="/static/img/help_icon.png" alt="Help" width="30" style="float: right;">
This adds significant value by guiding users on how to respond to specific conditions shown on the dashboard.
4. Simple Data Tables
Sometimes, a small table of key performance indicators (KPIs) is more effective than a graph. You can construct these using HTML tables:
<h4>Key Performance Indicators</h4>
<table style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;">
<tr style="background-color: #f2f2f2;">
<th style="padding: 8px; text-align: left;">Metric</th>
<th style="padding: 8px; text-align: left;">Current Value</th>
<th style="padding: 8px; text-align: left;">Threshold</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 8px;">Request Rate (RPM)</td>
<td style="padding: 8px;">1500</td>
<td style="padding: 8px;">2000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 8px;">Error Rate (%)</td>
<td style="padding: 8px;">0.5</td>
<td style="padding: 8px;">1.0</td>
</tr>
</table>
These practical examples demonstrate how you can use HTML to enhance clarity, provide context, and improve the overall usability of your Grafana dashboards. Don't be afraid to experiment and combine these techniques to create dashboards tailored to your specific needs!
Tips and Best Practices
Alright guys, we've covered a lot of ground on using HTML in your Grafana text panels. Before you go off and build the most amazing dashboards ever, here are a few essential tips and best practices to keep in mind. These will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your panels are both functional and maintainable.
First off, keep it readable. While you can go wild with HTML and CSS, remember that the primary purpose of a dashboard is to convey information quickly. Overly complex HTML or gaudy styling can be distracting. Use HTML to enhance clarity, not to obscure it. Stick to consistent formatting, sensible font sizes, and a color palette that aligns with your branding or the data itself. Think about your audience – what information do they need, and how can HTML help them see it at a glance?
Second, leverage Grafana variables. As we discussed, combining HTML with variables like $__interval, $timeFilter, or custom variables ($server, $environment) makes your panels dynamic and much more useful. This avoids the need to create multiple static panels and allows users to interactively explore the data. Always try to incorporate relevant variables where possible.
Third, test your HTML. Grafana's text panel rendering is generally good, but complex HTML or CSS might behave differently than you expect. Use your browser's developer tools to preview your HTML if possible, or simply test changes iteratively within Grafana. Pay attention to how the panel looks on different screen sizes if responsiveness is a concern.
Fourth, be mindful of performance. While it's rare for simple HTML to cause issues, embedding very large images (especially via data URIs) or excessively complex DOM structures can potentially slow down dashboard loading times. Stick to efficient HTML and optimize images where possible. If you're embedding external resources, ensure they are readily available and load quickly.
Fifth, use Markdown alongside HTML when appropriate. Grafana's text panel allows you to switch between Markdown and HTML. For simple text formatting, links, and basic lists, Markdown is often quicker and cleaner. You can even mix them – Grafana often renders HTML within Markdown content. However, for more complex structures, styling, or dynamic elements, switching to pure HTML mode is necessary. Understand when each is most effective.
Finally, document your panels. If you're building complex panels with custom HTML and CSS, add comments within the HTML editor (using <!-- Your comment here -->) or add a brief explanation in a separate text panel. This helps your future self and your colleagues understand how the panel works, especially when it comes to dynamic variable integrations. By following these best practices for Grafana text panels, you’ll be creating dashboards that are not only visually appealing but also highly effective and easy to manage. Happy dashboarding, guys!
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks! We've journeyed through the world of Grafana text panel HTML examples, starting from the absolute basics and moving all the way up to dynamic content and practical applications. You've learned how to use simple tags like <b> and <i>, create lists and links, and even inject custom CSS for styling and embed images. We've seen how powerful combining HTML with Grafana's templating variables can be, allowing for truly interactive and context-aware dashboards. From alert summaries and service health checks to runbook links and data tables, the possibilities are vast. Remember, the key is to use HTML not just for decoration, but to enhance the clarity and usability of your data. Keep experimenting, keep exploring, and don't be afraid to get creative! By mastering these techniques, you can transform your Grafana dashboards from simple data displays into powerful, informative tools that significantly boost your team's ability to monitor and understand their systems. Go forth and make those dashboards shine!
