- On your computer, create a new folder inside C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Qlik\Sense\Extensions and name it after your extension (for example, my-custom-chart).
- Inside that folder, create a file named my-custom-chart.qext - this is the manifest file that Qlik Sense reads to register the extension.
- Open the .qext file in your text editor and add the required JSON metadata, including name, description, type set to visualization, and version.
- Create a second file in the same folder named my-custom-chart.js - this is the main script file where your extension logic lives.
- In the .js file, define the extension using define(["qlik"], function(qlik) { ... }) and include an initialProperties block and a paint function that renders your visualization.
- Restart Qlik Sense Desktop and open an app in Edit mode - your extension will appear under Custom Objects in the Assets panel.
- Drag your extension onto a sheet to confirm it renders correctly.
How to Create a Qlik Sense Extension
📌 Why this matters
Why this matters
Building your own Qlik Sense extension gives your team the ability to create visualizations that match your exact analytical and branding requirements - something no off-the-shelf chart can fully deliver. Custom extensions are especially valuable in enterprise environments where dashboards are client-facing and need to reflect specific design standards. Understanding the extension framework also makes it easier to evaluate and modify community-built extensions rather than using them as black boxes. Over time, a library of internal extensions becomes a competitive asset, reducing dependency on third-party tools and keeping your analytics stack tightly integrated with your data model.
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