Spotter Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Spotter.
Training and coaching Spotter
- How do I train Spotter effectively?
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The key is to gather reference questions from your end users, as they may use Spotter differently than expected. You should collect questions that reference different metrics, dimensions, and formulas, then group related questions together. Consider different user personas, as terminology can vary between business users and leadership teams.
- Should I enable Spotter for all users at once?
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No, we recommend using a phased approach. Start with a core group to coach Spotter on 20 to 50 questions, then release it to a pilot group. This allows you to identify gaps and coach Spotter again before rolling it out to all customers or end users.
- Does Spotter learn from edits I make to its responses?
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Yes, if you edit the information that Spotter provides after it interprets a question inappropriately, Spotter learns from your edit.
Technical capabilities and limitations
- Can I use column sets while coaching Spotter?
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This feature is not currently available, but it is a common request that ThoughtSpot is working on.
- Can Spotter create formulas on the fly?
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Yes, Spotter can create formulas automatically. For example, it can calculate the difference between measures like duration of stay compared to expected duration.
- How does Spotter handle conversational interactions?
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Spotter is conversational, meaning you can say things like “Change to last month” or “filter to last month” to adjust the view without starting over. You can also reset and ask completely new questions.
Data model requirements
- What helps Spotter successfully answer questions?
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Most of Spotter’s success is based on how well your data model is set up, including having correct synonyms, keywords, proper joins, and good foundational structure. The Model should use business terms that your team actually uses.
- How is Spotter enabled?
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Spotter is enabled at three layers– platform level (decides if Spotter is available on the platform at all), Model level (Model must have Spotter enabled), and user privilege level (user must have can preview thoughtspot sage privilege).
Usage and best practices
- What’s the best way to ask questions in Spotter?
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While there’s no strict format, common effective patterns include “Show me x, y, and z”, “What are…”, and “Who is…” questions. Avoid using vague terms like “my team” or “my group”. You can also train Spotter with reference questions to respond to specific verbiage your users prefer.
- Can Spotter answer why questions?
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Yes, Spotter can answer why questions, providing change analysis, trend analysis, and some forecasting capabilities. To enable this feature, contact your administrator.
