Grafana Reporting Breaks Down Information Silo

Grafana reporting is the best way to stop data silos from hurting your team. While Grafana Dashboards show great data, they are often hard for executives and clients to access. Therefore, you need a simple way to share these insights automatically.

To be precise, this process helps you export a Grafana dashboard to PDF or Excel without manual work. Instead of making charts by hand, a tool reuses your existing dashboard data. Consequently, everyone stays updated with less effort.

Why You Should Automate Your Reports

Many managers and clients do not have time to check live Grafana dashboards. For example, they may be busy with meetings, fieldwork, or simply running their business. Consequently, they miss important updates.

By using automation, you give people data they can actually use. Furthermore, common examples include:

• Systems: Sending weekly health stats to your boss and clients.
• Networks: Giving daily status updates to field teams.
• Factories: Tracking production for floor leads.

Top 2 Tools for Grafana Reporting in 2026

Open-source Grafana does not have built-in reporting. In fact, you must choose between these two popular tools:

1. Skedler Reports

Specifically, Skedler Reports is a powerful enterprise tool for Grafana and Elasticsearch-Kibana. Initially, the team built it for the Elastic Stack. However, customers soon began asking for a way to export Grafana Dashboard to PDF and Excel as well.  Consequently, the Skedler team added Grafana reporting to meet this demand from the very beginning days of Grafana.

Today, Skedler is the first reporting tool ever made for both platforms. Because of its long history, thousands of users worldwide trust it. Furthermore, it remains the leading name for automated data distribution.

Key Features:

• File Types: First, you can create PDF, Excel, CSV, and HTML reports.
• Smart Distribution: Additionally, you can send reports via Email, Slack & S3 bucket.
• Custom Layouts: Use flexible designs that look professional.
• Burst Reporting: Specifically, you can send unique data to different people from one dashboard.
• Error Handling: It alerts you if a report fails so you can fix it fast.
• Pause/Resume: Also, you can easily manage your schedules.
• Always Updated: It supports the newest Grafana versions within weeks.

Limitations:

However, Skedler is not a plugin inside Grafana. Instead, it runs as a separate application. Therefore, you will need a quick, separate installation.

Who should consider Skedler Reports

Skedler Reports is an excellent fit for teams and organizations that prioritize flexibility, cost control, and comprehensive reporting functionality beyond the basic features of Grafana Enterprise. This includes smaller teams and startups using Grafana Open Source (OSS), companies needing to generate professional, custom-branded reports in various formats like Excel, CSV, and PDF, and large organizations that require sophisticated data distribution via channels like Slack and advanced features such as Burst Reporting for sending personalized data to many different stakeholders without incurring expensive per-user licensing fees.

2. Grafana Enterprise Stack

The Grafana Enterprise Stack is a proprietary offering. It includes many enterprise plugins and collaboration features. Additionally, it provides advanced security tools like enhanced LDAP. Furthermore, you get round-the-clock support from their team.

Furthermore, reporting is a key feature of this stack. According to the official website, there are two distinct options available for users. First of all, you can export the Grafana Dashboard to PDF and email it on a schedule.  Secondly, you can save these PDFs directly to a local file. Consequently, this process helps you keep accurate internal records for your team.

Key Features:

Specifically, the Enterprise version offers several built-in tools for your team:

• Native: Firstly, it is already included in your existing Enterprise setup.
• Simple: Moreover, it is very easy to install and send out standard Grafana Dashboards.
• Reliable: Furthermore, it always stays in sync with the latest Grafana updates.
• Dashboards: Additionally, it serves the primary purpose of sending out standard dashboards.

Limitations:

Unfortunately, the Enterprise stack has many gaps. For instance, it only offers four fixed layouts. Also, you cannot create custom branded reports. In addition, it has these issues:

• No Excel: You cannot create Excel or CSV files.
• Basic Email: Specifically, it only uses SMTP email and lacks Slack support.
• No Bursting: You cannot send unique reports to many people at once.
• Simple Scheduling: It does not support specific business days or annual reports.
• No Error Alerts: Users cannot see why a report failed.
• Cost: Finally, you must pay for a full Enterprise license, which is very expensive.

Skedler vs. Grafana Enterprise (Feature Comparison)

Feature	Skedler (Best Value)	Grafana Enterprise
Automated Reports	Yes	Yes
Scheduled PDF Exports	Yes	Yes
Scheduled Excel/CSV Reports	Yes	No
Email Report Delivery	Yes	Yes
Custom Designer & Layouts	Yes	No
Branded Templates	Yes	No
Per-User Licensing Fees	No	Yes (Expensive!)
Flat Pricing (No Per-User Fees)	Yes	No
Works with Grafana OSS	Yes	No
Easy Setup & Deployment	Installs in Minutes	Requires Enterprise License

Other Options

Beyond the comprehensive solutions of Skedler Reports and Grafana Enterprise Stack, other options for Grafana reporting are generally not recommended due to severe limitations. Since open-source Grafana lacks native reporting features, teams often resort to manual workarounds, such as taking screenshots or manually exporting data, which are time-consuming, prone to error, and unsustainable for regular reporting needs.
Furthermore, while various community-built or small, unmaintained plugins exist, they frequently lack essential enterprise features like reliable custom layouts, flexible distribution channels (e.g., Slack), advanced scheduling, or critical professional support. Consequently, teams are best served by one of the two dedicated, popular, proven tools that provide automation, stability, and feature sets necessary for professional data delivery.

Why You Should Consider Skedler Reports for Grafana

Specifically, Skedler Reports for Grafana is a compelling choice for your business requirements. You should choose this solution if you meet the following criteria:

• Firstly, your focus is exclusively on Grafana reporting. You may not need the high-cost features found in the Grafana Enterprise Stack.
• Furthermore, you seek a powerful reporting tool that provides many customization options. Specifically, you need a system that adapts to your unique business needs.
• Additionally, cost-efficiency is a major priority for your team. Therefore, you require a solution that aligns strictly with your budget.
• To minimize your risk and total cost of ownership, you need a proven, widely deployed, and trusted solution by teams of small, medium, and large organizations worldwide. 
• Finally, you value high-quality support. You want a partner who can help you address your technical concerns effectively.

Conclusion: Save Time Now

In conclusion, data should be easy to reach. When you automate your Grafana reporting, you stop wasting time on manual work. As a result, your team and clients stay informed and happy.

Want to stop taking screenshots? Try Skedler’s 15-Day Free Trial and export the Grafana Dashboard to PDF and Excel automatically today.