Insights is Handshake's current reporting tool, powered by Omni. It replaced Analytics, Handshake's previous reporting tool powered by Looker.
Insights and Analytics share some reporting capabilities but differ in several ways, outlined below.
Note: Analytics was retired on August 17, 2026, and is no longer accessible.
What is the same in Insights and Analytics?
Insights retains several reporting capabilities from Analytics:
- Handshake data: Both tools use Handshake data to generate reports. Reporting data refreshes nightly.
- Reporting fields: Fields previously available in Analytics are also available in Insights. Insights includes additional fields.
- Reporting areas: Insights includes the same reporting subject areas previously available in Analytics. In Insights, these starting data sets are called topics.
- Legacy reports: Handshake-created reports from Analytics are available in the Handshake - Legacy Reports folder in Insights.
What is different in Insights?
How are reports organized?
Analytics saved each report separately. Insights organizes reporting content in workbooks.
A workbook can contain multiple queries and dashboards, which appear as separate tabs. This structure allows you to keep related reporting content together.
Are default filters applied to new reports?
Analytics automatically applied default filters when you created a report.
Insights does not apply default filters. When creating a query, select the filters needed for your reporting goal.
How are reports saved and shared?
Analytics provided shareable report links. Insights uses folders to store and organize workbooks.
You can share workbooks with other users in Insights. You can also share dashboards with people who do not have Handshake accounts.
Can I create custom dashboards?
Analytics provided prebuilt dashboards. Insights allows you to create custom dashboards from your queries.
For instructions, review Insights: How to Create a Custom Report and Dashboard.
What additional reporting features are available in Insights?
Insights includes additional tools for creating and customizing reports:
- Use the optional AI Assistant to answer questions, define terms, and build queries.
- Perform functions such as XLOOKUP.
- Access additional options for customizing reports.
For more information about the AI Assistant, review How to Use AI in Insights.
How does Analytics terminology map to Insights?
| Looker | Omni | Definition |
| Explore/Report Type/Template | Topics | The starting data set used to create a report, such as Students, Jobs, Appointments, or Fairs |
| Dashboard | Dashboard | A page containing one or more data visualizations |
| Report | Query | A set of report results created by your institution or Handshake |
| N/A | Workbook | A collection of queries and dashboards organized into tabs |
| Reports tab | Folders | The location where Handshake-created reports are stored and shared |
| Duplicate | Explore (action) | Creates a copy of a report. In Analytics, Duplicate saved the copy automatically. In Insights, Explore creates an editable copy that you must save by selecting File > Save |
| Schedule | Deliveries & Alerts | The option used to begin setting up a scheduled report |