Extending Qlik

Two types of add-on let you customize what Qlik Cloud Analytics looks like and how it works for your users.

Visualization extensions are custom visualization objects built with standard web technologies. You add them to a sheet in the same way as any native chart. Each extension receives data from the Qlik Associative Engine, responds to selections made anywhere in the app, and can read the active theme. Typical uses include custom chart types, third-party library integrations, and specialized data presentations that the native objects do not cover.

Themes are JSON-based configurations that control the visual appearance of an app: colours, typography, spacing, and the look of native charts. A theme applies at the app level. Extensions can read the active theme through the Theme API, so they adapt automatically when a user or administrator switches theme.

Both types of add-on are uploaded and managed through the Qlik Cloud Management Console and are available to all apps on the tenant once deployed.

Visualization extensions

Read the development guidelines before writing any code. They explain the rendering boundary, which APIs are supported, what to avoid, and how to choose the right framework.

Build with nebula.js

nebula.js is the recommended framework for all new visualization extensions on Qlik Cloud.

Legacy extension frameworks

If you have an existing solution built with the Extension API or picasso.js, take a look at the technology overviews and tutorials. Consider migrating to nebula.js if you are starting a significant update.

Themes

Customize the appearance of your charts and Qlik Cloud Analytics applications.