> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://basedash.com/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # FAQ > Frequently asked questions about Basedash Feature pages have their own FAQ sections for detailed questions. If something isn't working, see [Troubleshooting](/docs/help/troubleshooting). ## General questions > **What is Basedash?** > > Basedash is an AI-native business intelligence platform that lets you > create beautiful charts and dashboards using natural language. Instead of > writing SQL queries or using complex chart builders, you can simply describe > what you want to see in plain English. > **How does Basedash differ from traditional BI tools?** > > Basedash uses AI to handle the technical aspects of data analysis, allowing you to: > > * Create [charts](/docs/features/charts) using natural language > * [Chat with your data](/docs/features/chat) to get insights > * Get instant visualizations without manual configuration > * Collaborate with your team easily > **Is Basedash secure?** > > Yes, Basedash takes security seriously. We are SOC 2 Type II compliant and > implement comprehensive security measures. For more details, see our > [security documentation](/docs/administration/security). ## Getting started > **How do I get started with Basedash?** > > 1. [Sign up](https://charts.basedash.com/signup) for an account > 2. Connect your data sources > 3. Start creating [charts](/docs/features/charts) using natural language > 4. [Invite your team](/docs/getting-started/invite-team) to collaborate > > See the [Quickstart](/docs/getting-started/quickstart) for a step-by-step guide. > **What data sources can I connect to?** > > Basedash supports a wide range of data sources including: > > * SQL databases ([PostgreSQL](/docs/data-sources/databases/postgres), [MySQL](/docs/data-sources/databases/mysql), etc.) > * Data warehouses ([BigQuery](/docs/data-sources/warehouses/bigquery), [Snowflake](/docs/data-sources/warehouses/snowflake), etc.) > * 750+ SaaS connectors through Fivetran, synced into [Basedash Warehouse](/docs/data-sources/warehouses/basedash-warehouse) > * [Google Sheets](/docs/data-sources/connectors/google_sheets) and [Google Drive](/docs/data-sources/connectors/google_drive) > **Do I need technical expertise to use Basedash?** > > No, Basedash is designed to be useful for even non-technical teammates. You > can create charts and analyze data using natural language, without needing > to write SQL or understand complex data structures. Database and technical > knowledge are helpful in understanding more complex requests and charts, but > it's not a requirement. > **Can I try Basedash before committing?** > > Yes, you can sign up for a 14-day free trial to explore Basedash's features > and see if it's right for your needs. If you need more time, you can contact > us to extend the trial. ## Features > **How does the AI chart creation work?** > > Simply describe what you want to see in plain English, and Basedash's AI will: > > * Understand your request > * Write the appropriate SQL query > * Choose the best visualization type > * Format the chart appropriately > **Can I customize the charts?** > > Yes, you can customize various aspects of your charts including: > > * [Chart types](/docs/features/chart-types/introduction) > * Data formatting > * Labels and titles > **How do I create a variable or filter?** > > Ask for charts in open-ended terms, like "revenue over time" or "sales by > region", and Basedash adds the matching filters for you. See [Filters and > variables](/docs/features/filters-and-variables) for the filter types and how to > edit them. > **How can I be confident that the data in chats isn't hallucinated?** > > Every number in a chat answer comes from a SQL query that Basedash runs > against your data, not from the AI's memory. Open **Sources** under an > answer to see each query's SQL and results. Basedash also runs internal > evaluations with every new AI model release to check error rates. See > [Accuracy and trust](/docs/features/accuracy-and-trust) for how answers are > generated and how to check them. > **Is Basedash read-only or can it edit data?** > > The AI is read-only by default. On Postgres, Redshift, and Supabase, people > with **Can edit** access to a data source can ask chat to make a change, > and the AI proposes a single `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, or `DELETE` statement that > only runs after they approve it. To rule out changes completely, connect > with a read-only database user. See [Accuracy and > trust](/docs/features/accuracy-and-trust#read-only-by-default). > **How do I share dashboards with my team?** > > You can share dashboards by: > > * Inviting team members to your workspace > * Setting appropriate access permissions > * Sharing direct links to [dashboards](/docs/features/dashboards) > * Exporting to CSV, JSON, Excel, or PDF depending on context > > See [Export and share](/docs/features/export-and-share). > **How can I restrict access to data?** > > Admins can use [data source access > control](/docs/administration/data-source-access-control) to choose who can > view or edit each data source, and hide specific schemas, tables, or > columns from members and groups. [Row-level > security](/docs/administration/row-level-security) limits which rows each user > sees. You can also share individual dashboards only with specific > [groups](/docs/administration/groups), such as a dashboard only your support > team can open. > > On the Enterprise plan, we also support [SAML SSO](/docs/administration/sso), > allowing you to manage user authentication through your existing identity > provider. ## Data management > **How do I restore archived or deleted charts?** > > Open the **Charts** page, click the filter dropdown next to the search box > (it shows **All charts** by default), and choose **Recently deleted**. > Charts are permanently deleted after 30 days. > > ![The Charts page filtered to Recently deleted, listing three deleted charts with the dashboard each came from](https://mintcdn.com/basedash/aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n/images/help/faq/recently-deleted-charts.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n\&q=85\&s=e739799be857707f25a8dfe9137c13b1) > > To restore a chart, right-click it in that list, choose **Restore to**, and > pick a dashboard. You can also open the chart, click **Restore to** at the > top, and pick a dashboard. > **How do I restore archived or deleted dashboards?** > > In the sidebar, click the **Filter** button next to the **Dashboards** > heading and choose **Recently deleted**. The sidebar then lists your > deleted dashboards. Dashboards are permanently deleted after 30 days. > > ![The sidebar's dashboard list filtered to Recently deleted, with Restore and Permanently delete in the menu for the Holiday campaign 2025 dashboard](https://mintcdn.com/basedash/aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n/images/help/faq/recently-deleted-dashboards.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n\&q=85\&s=3e2b42f5e9184cfcd84867d06207a963) > > To restore a dashboard, right-click it in that list and choose **Restore**, > or open the dashboard and click **Restore** in its header. > **Can I restore deleted chats?** > > No, deleted chats cannot be restored. Once a chat is deleted, it's > permanently removed from the system. > **How do I export data from my queries?** > > **From charts:** > > * Right-click on any chart and select **Export** to choose between Markdown, CSV, JSON, or Excel formats > * Open a chart, go to the **Response** tab, and click the export button in the bottom right corner of the footer > > ![A chart's right-click menu with Export highlighted and the Markdown, CSV, JSON, and Excel formats](https://mintcdn.com/basedash/aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n/images/help/faq/export-chart-menu.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n\&q=85\&s=d0417a7783256253ed7cbd21d42629bf) > > ![The Response tab of a chart page with the export menu open from the footer, offering copy and export as Markdown, CSV, JSON, or Excel](https://mintcdn.com/basedash/aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n/images/help/faq/export-chart-page.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n\&q=85\&s=2735c36af14e4088462d8e1f4329c058) > > **From data tables:** > > * Go to the **Data** page and select the export button in the footer of the data tables > > **From dashboards:** > > * Click the overflow menu (three dots) next to the dashboard name in the header > * Select **Export to PDF** to export the entire dashboard > > ![The dashboard menu with Export to PDF highlighted](https://mintcdn.com/basedash/aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n/images/help/faq/export-dashboard-pdf.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aH3kb-Bl5OLwdg2n\&q=85\&s=8b48aea17009c6e033bddad065c1bf90) > > Exports contain the raw response data, so formatting you see in Basedash, > like currency symbols or date formats, may not be preserved. > **Can I upload my own CSVs of data?** > > Yes, you can attach files to a [chat](/docs/features/chat) and ask questions > about them. Supported files include CSV and TSV, Excel, PDF, Word, > PowerPoint, JSON, text, and images, up to 50 MB per message. > > Attached files are only available in that chat. To use a file as a table > across charts and dashboards, connect a file storage service like [Google > Drive](/docs/data-sources/connectors/google_drive), > [Dropbox](/docs/data-sources/connectors/dropbox), [Google > Sheets](/docs/data-sources/connectors/google_sheets), > [OneDrive](/docs/data-sources/connectors/one_drive), and [Azure Blob > Storage](/docs/data-sources/connectors/azure_blob_storage). If a CSV is in the > folder you connect, it will be shown and used as a table within Basedash > under that connection. > **Is there a limit to how much data I can analyze?** > > Basedash can handle large datasets, but specific limits depend on your plan > and data source. Contact us for specific details about your use case. ## Support > **How can I get help?** > > * Read the [Troubleshooting](/docs/help/troubleshooting) guide and the FAQ on > each feature page - Email support at > [support@basedash.com](mailto:support@basedash.com) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.