Excel Dashboard TipsWhen you are building an Excel dashboard, be sure to show key information clearly, and highlight important data |
Tip 3) Clean & simple layoutA dashboard should show a streamlined summary of the key information -- don't try to include everything in a small space. Dashboard MistakeThis dashboard is packed with charts and tables, and as a result, nothing stands out. Dashboard FixThis dashboard shows the key data, with highlights at the top, and a button to view detailed data, if necessary. Tip 4) Clear chartsKeep dashboard charts clear and simple, so they get the information across quickly. Remove background colors, unnecessary gridlines and pictures. Dashboard MistakePie charts rarely work well, and avoid 3-D chart type effects, which distort the data. Dashboard FixThese line, bar and column charts use simple color schemes and white backgrounds, so the data stands out, and is easy to read.. Tip 5) Interactive controlsFor a dynamic dashboard, add simple interactivity controls on the spreadsheet, so users can change the focus. Dashboard MistakeThis dashboard has a few charts, and key points at the top, but no way to adjust the view. Dashboard FixInclude a few simple controls, such as option buttons, check boxes, scroll bars, drop-down lists, and slicers. With those controls, people can sort or filter the dashboard charts and formulas, to focus on specific data More Dashboard ProblemsTo see a list of problems that people have when building Excel dashboards, go to the Excel Dashboard Problems Survey Results page. It's the results of a dashboard survey that I posted on my Contextures blog, and compiled to share with you. First, I asked if people build Excel dashboards, and for those who said Yes, the follow up question was "What problems do you have with dashboards?" |
Video: Show Chart or Data on DashboardThis will save some space on your dashboards. Select "Chart" or "Chart Data" from a drop down list, to show either a Microsoft Excel chart or the chart's data on your dashboard. There are no macros in the workbook -- this tip uses named ranges and a linked picture. This video shows you the simple setup steps, and there are written details on the Contextures Blog. |
More Dashboard ResourcesNote: I am an affiliate for the products mentioned below, and earn a commission on the sales. Excel Dashboard Course offered by Mynda Treacy from My Online training Hub -- an amazing course that will take you from the beginning steps, up the advance dashboard techniques Excel Charting Tools by Jon Peltier-- great tools for quickly creating complex charts |
Last updated: October 26, 2022 1:35 PM