FAQ
Questions about building and publishing data stories
Start with the common answers below. If your organization has a specific technical or procurement question, contact us directly.
Getting started
What is Simpler Story?
Simpler Story is a no-code platform for creating complete interactive data stories with charts, maps, text, annotations, and reader controls.
Who is it for?
It is designed for people and teams who need to explain data clearly, including publishers, public-sector teams, researchers, educators, nonprofits, and independent creators.
Do I need to know how to code?
No. You can add data, create visualizations, arrange the narrative, and publish without writing code.
What can I create?
You can create hosted interactive stories, embedded explainers, chart-led reports, maps, comparisons, scrollytelling experiences, and visual exports.
Data and AI
How can I add data?
You can paste a table, upload spreadsheet data, connect a Google Sheet, or begin with public data from the built-in catalog.
Can published stories update when the data changes?
Professional and Enterprise plans support connected sources and automatic data updates. A stable source structure makes recurring updates more reliable.
Does the AI Assistant change my source data?
No. The AI Assistant works from field names, types, and safe summaries to suggest directions and draft supporting content. The underlying source values stay unchanged.
Can I edit what AI creates?
Yes. Titles, annotations, narrative suggestions, images, and icons created with AI remain editable. You can refine them or build manually instead.
Can I build stories from Claude or another AI app?
Yes. Connect Claude, or another AI app that supports custom connectors (MCP), by adding https://app.simplerstory.com/api/mcp as a custom connector and approving the connection. You can then ask it for a story in plain words, and it sends you a link to the draft in Simpler Story. It is available on every plan.
What can a connected AI app do with my account?
It can read your stories and their data, import data, and create and edit stories. It cannot publish: publishing always stays with you. You can see every connected app and disconnect it at any time from Connect to AI apps in your account menu.
Publishing
Can I publish by link or embed?
Yes. All plans support publishing by hosted link or responsive embed.
Can I use my own domain?
Custom-domain publishing is available on the Enterprise plan.
Can I export my work?
Static export options include PNG, with SVG available on paid plans. Professional plans also include video export, while Enterprise adds offline download.
What happens to published stories if I cancel?
Published stories stay online. Editing and automatic data updates stop when the relevant subscription ends.
Plans, teams, and security
Can a team collaborate?
Professional and Enterprise plans include a shared team workspace. Enterprise adds advanced access and publishing controls.
Are stories private before publishing?
Yes. Data stories remain private before you publish them.
Can I password-protect a story or use single sign-on?
Password protection and single sign-on are available on the Enterprise plan.
Where can my security team ask detailed questions?
Email contact@simplerstory.com. We can address deployment, data handling, access, and procurement questions during evaluation.
Ready to make it clear?
Still have a question?
Tell us what you are trying to publish and we will help you find the right path.