An Introduction to Creating Interactive Dashboards with Excel

Introduction

Dashboards are a valuable tool for viewing and making sense of data. They give an overview of important information and allow organizations to make data-driven decisions quickly. Excel based dashboards are a popular way to create interactive reports that display critical data in an organized and user friendly format.

An Excel based dashboard report is an effective way to analyze complex data rapidly and accurately. It allows users to interact with the data and uncover insights that can be used to improve operations and make better business decisions. There are several advantages to leveraging Excel to create interactive dashboard reports such as:

• Visualization of data that can help identify trends and patterns
• Efficient data manipulation
• Customizable options for reporting and data formatting
• Ability to share data easily with others

Gathering and Structuring Data

The first step in creating a dynamic dashboard with Excel is to gather, organize and structure the data. Depending on the data source, there can be different formats and ways to transform it into a usable format. For the most accurate results, it’s important to have accurate and up-to-date information that you can rely on. To make it easier to update the data in the future, it is a good idea to keep your source data stored in a single, easily accessible place that can be used for any changes or updates.

Choosing a Chart Type

The next step in creating an interactive dashboard with Excel is to choose an appropriate chart type for the given data set. Excel has more than 25 available chart types, including line, bar, column, area, surface, radar, bubble and combination charts. Each chart type offers different features and benefits depending on the data you are working with. By selecting the correct chart type, you can indicate to the reader the most suitable visual data representation for the given set of data.

Manipulating Data

Once you have the data gathered and structured, you can begin to manipulate it to get the most meaningful results. This can involve sorting, filtering, editing, and calculating values to find underlying trends or correlations in the data. For best results, you can also use functions like IF, SUBTOTAL and AVERAGE to perform calculations on large datasets.

Setting Up the Layout

Setting up the layout of the dashboard is an important step in creating a successful interactive dashboard. The layout of the dashboard should be organized in such a way that the content being presented is clear and easy to read. It is important to think about where the visualizations, slicers and other elements should be placed in order to create an effective information hierarchy. The layout should also consider the user's experience, with elements such as text, visuals and legends placed in the most obvious and logical positions.

Adding Slicers

Slicers are one of the more powerful features available in Excel for creating interactive dashboards. Slicers allow you to quickly filter and segment data without having to manually type in a search query. By adding slicers to the dashboard, users can quickly switch between different categories of data in order to find the information they need. Slicers can also be used to highlight and compare different data points which can improve the readability and uncover interesting patterns in the data.

Adding Visualizations

The final step in creating an interactive dashboard with Excel is to add any visualizations that can help to explain or present the underlying data in a more meaningful way. This could include graphs, tables, maps, or other visuals that are appropriate for the data being presented. Adding these types of visuals can help to provide context to the data, make it easier to read, and create more engaging visuals for the dashboard.

Interactive Data Visualisation Through Excel's Conditional Formatting Feature

Utilising ‘Conditional Formatting’ in Excel enables users to make the data they are working with more visually engaging, and can provide a more visually impactful story than could otherwise be achieved through basic data handling.

Setting a Range

When creating an interactive dashboard with Excel, users are first required to select a range of cells they wish to apply the conditional formatting to. This can be done by selecting the range of cells manually, or by using one of Excel’s pre-defined ranges such as ‘This Row’ for the active row, or all rows in the active column.

Applying Conditions to Color Cells

After selecting a range, users can then apply conditions or formulas to certain colors of cells. This can be done by selecting one of Excel’s pre-defined conditions from a drop-down menu, or users can create their own condition and set different colors for cells that meet the condition. For example, if a user was wanting to emphasise high or low values, they could set a condition to highlight cells in shades of green if they are above average, and shades of red if they are below average.

Adding Changeable Color Schemes

The final step in creating an interactive dashboard with Excel is to set the color scheme of the cells. Excel’s pre-defined color schemes are already set and come with various options such as ‘White to Black’, ‘Green to Red’ etc. Custom color schemes can also be set manually, allowing users to create bespoke designs and increase the engagement of their reports.

The ability to choose different color schemes for cells, combined with the ability to set conditions for those cells, allows users to create interactive and visually engaging reports with minimal effort and time.

How by Setting an Action, Dashboards are Easily Customizable

Microsoft Excel remains a popular and highly-regarded tool for data analysis, especially when creating interactive dashboard reports. Through the use of its comprehensive suite of features and functions, users can quickly and easily customize their dashboards with just a few clicks. Let's discuss further how to set an action in order to customize the dashboard.

Inserting Buttons

Using buttons helps the user make their dashboard interactive. In order to String this type of action, users can create very simple buttons, each one designed to perform an individual command. This helps to both simplify the dashboard and allow for easy customization. To achieve this, users need only to open the Developer tab, click on Insert, and then choose the command button.

Applying VBA Codes

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a powerful language for advanced Excel users. By applying VBA codes to the custom buttons created above, users can create more elaborate commands and commands for their dashboard. This requires a more advanced knowledge of Excel, so it is best reserved for more experienced users.

Creating Charts/Tables via a Button

One of the most popular uses of interactive dashboards is to create charts and tables to help visualize the data. Excel provides users with the ability to easily generate these visuals through the same scripting used to set the action. By adding a simple code in the command button, users can quickly generate dynamic visuals that will update with the new data in the dashboard.

• Using buttons helps the user make their dashboard interactive.
• VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a powerful language for advanced Excel users.
• One of the most popular uses of interactive dashboards is to create charts and tables to help visualize the data.

Making Exciting Visualizations by Enhancing Dashboard Appearance

Enlivening data representation is every business venture's primary goal. An engaged clientele is key to success and organized data graphics improves a business's overall success rate. Excel is well equipped to help create customized visuals and reports perfectly tailored to better tell the story of a business. The following highlights just a few of the powerful ways Excel can help create compelling data dashboards.

Presenting Data via Maps

One clever way to represent data via dashboard is to create maps. Excel is well equipped to help create such maps. Its pre-built data mapping capabilities allow users to create their own maps with just a few clicks. Using the layer and formatting settings, it is possible to vary the colors, labels and patterns. Combining data points and geographical coordinates allows users to create dynamic map visuals. This can be a great way to punch up a dashboard presentation.

Utilizing Picture Graphics

For Excel, it is incredibly easy to make savvy graphic representations out of data points. As an example, a series of icons can be used to represent each data point, providing a concise summary of the data. Icon sets are an exciting way to punch up any graph, as well as showcase important aspects of the data being presented. It is also possible to pick from a variety of shapes and colors, combining any number of twos, threes and fours for more complicated visuals as need-be.

Connecting #'s to Visualization

Using the Connect Map feature, users can pair numerical data with user-generated visuals, frames and colors. There are many options to choose from, making it a very customizable setting. Using Cross Table Joins, it is possible to emphasize important elements of the data being presented, while creating visuals that are pleasing to the eye. Visualizing data will enable viewers to easily understand the important information being presented.

Crafting Bulk Outlets via Icon Sets

Utilizing bulk icon sets is a great way to pull together multiple data points within a single visual. There are a variety of icon sets available, such as colored dots, proportional sizes, bars and comparisons. This is a great tool for quickly displaying both comparative and absolute data. The icons and colors can be varied, allowing for the data to be represented in a more intuitive way. This helps viewers to quickly interpret the data being presented.

Compiling Accurate Data Representation

Excel's premium features also helps users to create data representations that are visually accurate and informative. By using Compile Graph, it is possible to better visualize larger datasets, while keeping accurate data representation. Also, combining scatter charts and hex editor tabs is a great way to create visuals of metrics that are based on formulas. This is an easy way to provide viewers with a richer data representation.

Choice between Static, Automated and On Demand Reports

When it comes to creating dashboards with data from Excel, there are many choices of report types. Static reports provide an overall picture of data, such as totals and averages. Automated reports are set up to refresh automatically and capture up-to-date information. On demand reports are generated when needed and capture data at the exact time of request. Depending on the purpose of your dashboard, one type of report may be better than the others.

Benefits of Static Reports

Static reports are the most basic type of Excel dashboard reports. They are good for providing a summary of data or presenting information that is unlikely to change. They provide a snapshot of the data, which can help in understanding trends. In addition, static reports can take less time to create than automated reports and don’t require additional steps to keep them updated.

Automated vs. On Demand Updates

Automated reports are set up to pull information from the source data automatically. Data is updated on a set schedule (daily, hourly, etc.). This helps to ensure that dashboard data is up-to-date. On demand reports can be generated as needed, however, they will only capture data up to the time of the request. This can be beneficial for reports that require real-time information.

Use of PivotTables

Excel pivot tables are an effective way to turn raw data into data summaries and reports with a few clicks of the mouse. They provide a concise view of data, helping to summarize and quickly analyze information. Using pivot tables can help to make static, automated, and on demand dashboards faster to create.

• Static reports provide a snapshot of data that can help in understanding trends.
• Automated reports are set up to pull information from the source data automatically.
• On demand reports can be generated as needed, however, they will only capture data up to the time of the request.
• Pivot tables are an effective way to turn raw data into data summaries and reports quickly.

Conclusion

Excel is a powerful tool for communicating data and providing insights on actionable items to stakeholders. With the addition of interactive dashboard reporting, Excel continues to be a highly effective tool for office professionals in a wide variety of industries. In this article, we discussed the benefits of using Excel to create interactive dashboard reports, as well as the steps to creation.

Outlook on Future of Excel

Excel is a staple for data analysis and insights, with more features and capabilities being added to the software. As Excel continues to grow, it will likely become an even more essential tool for teams to create interactive dashboard reports from data. The increasing availability of data, as well as higher demands for data-driven decisions, puts Excel in a great position for future use.

Benefits of Interactive Dashboards

Using an interactive dashboard allows users to understand and process data more efficiently. Dashboards use visuals that appeal to users, while still remaining informative and detailed. Dashboards also provide users with the ability to filter and manipulate data, enabling stakeholders to focus on specific aspects of the data that’s most relevant to them. Finally, dashboards are highly customizable, allowing all users to explore data in a way that suits their individual preferences.

Final Thoughts

Excel, as a software, has consistently evolved over the years and will continue to be an important tool for businesses and individuals looking to quickly analyze data and create informative and meaningful data visualizations. By leveraging interactive dashboard reporting, users are able to more quickly draw insights and actionable items from data. Excel, coupled with the addition of interactive dashboard reports, offers one of the most comprehensive and comprehensive ways to further explore and share data.