How often Dashboard data updates depends on the dashboard or website being displayed and whether it refreshes automatically once loaded.
ScreenCloud’s Dashboards feature captures and displays content by taking periodic screenshots of a selected web page or section. You can set the refresh interval to match your needs - as frequently as every hour or as infrequently as every half day - ensuring your content stays updated on the schedule you prefer.
Default Refresh Intervals
By default, most dashboards refresh every 5 minutes, provided the source website itself has updated data. However, dashboards are not recommended for highly dynamic or real-time data, as they rely on static screen captures. For live updates, we recommend using Links, the Embed app, or the Playgrounds app instead.
Session refresh rate settings
If the source website does not refresh on its own, you can adjust the Session Refresh Rate (found under the Manage Session step). This setting controls how often ScreenCloud reloads the page to pull in new data.
Default value: 10 minutes
Custom values: You can shorten or extend this interval, but be mindful of performance and system resource usage. For guidance, please see this article before making changes.
Interval-based vs. real-time updates
It’s important to distinguish between interval-based updates and real-time display:
Interval-based: Periodic screen captures of static pages (ideal for dashboards where instant updates aren’t critical).
Real-time: Dynamic and interactive data visualization using apps like Links, the Embed app, or the Playgrounds app. Note that most of these apps require the content to be publicly accessible and not password-protected.
Best use cases
Dashboards work best when real-time interaction isn’t required. This approach avoids unnecessary resource strain while still ensuring content remains reasonably up to date. For scenarios where live data is critical, opt for real-time apps instead.
Don't see ScreenCloud Dashboards in your account? This feature can be added to your account with an upgrade to the Pro or Enterprise plan. Please reach out to ScreenCloud support or your account manager to get help with this.