1. Type
The very first thing to note about Excel dashboards are that there are numerous different types available, from project management- centric Excel dashboards to KPI dashboards and more. It is prudent to figure out your objective before you select the type of Excel dashboard you wish to create. So take your time and figure out what it is you hope to personally achieve out of creating your own excel dashboard.
2. Templates
Instead of having to spend time designing from the ground up, why not take a look at the available ready to use sections and see if there are any you would like to use? Resource sites like Chandoo.org contain sources that allow users to download templates for free. If there are any aspects you would like to change, you can consider add ins and other assorted free material. Go ahead and download some templates to try.
3. Add Ins
As mentioned above, add ins are additional features, functions that are created for Excel users to integrate into their workbooks for further convenience. For further sense of security, Microsoft excel themselves contain a list on their main website full of recommended certified add ons for users to integrate and play around with. Create your own Excel dashboard by fiddling around with these add ins and alter your dashboard to your convenience.
4. Resources
A good Excel dashboard would more or less contain chart and formula functions best suited to the individual using them. Beyond that however, one must know how to run an excel dashboard successfully. Seek inspiration in books like Information Dashboard Design by Stephen Few and Perceptual Edge or Dashboard Spy by Tricia Aanderud and more!
5. Test
As with all changes, one should always take the time to sit down and test out their final product. Give your Excel dashboards a try and see if they are performing smoothly. A good Excel dashboard should have everything you could possibly need to perform your everyday tasks without hassle and provide you an ease of convenience. Have you achieved that? Are there anything else you want to add?
