A Microsoft Excel dashboard is a visual, interactive tool that brings your most important data together in one place. Instead of scrolling through static reports, dashboards display key metrics and performance indicators (KPIs) in easy-to-read charts, tables, and visual summaries. With an Excel dashboard, you can filter, slice, and drill into data in real time, helping you move from raw numbers to clear insights.
The problem is, creating an Excel dashboard can often feel frustrating and overwhelming. The good news? In this guide, I’ll show you how to build a dashboard in Excel in nine simple steps. Plus, I’ll share some of my favorite Excel dashboard templates so you can get started right away.
How to create a dashboard in Excel
Here’s my simple step-by-step guide on how to create a dashboard in Excel.
Step 1: Prepare your data
First, make sure your data is ready to go. The best way to do this is to format your data as an Excel Table.
Select any cell in your data.
Go to the Insert tab and click Table.
Make sure the "My table has headers" box is checked, then click OK.
Formatting your data as a table is important because it makes it easy for your PivotTables to automatically include new data you add later.
Step 2: Create the main PivotTable
We'll start by making one primary PivotTable that we can use as a template for the others.
Select any cell inside your new Excel Table.
Go to the Insert tab and click PivotTable.
Choose New Worksheet and click OK.
In the PivotTable Fields pane, drag the fields you want to analyze into the different areas (Rows, Columns, Values, Filters).
Now is the time to format it exactly how you want it to look—adjust the layout, number formatting, and sorting. For example, if you're analyzing sales by category, you might want to sort it from highest to lowest sales.
Once this first PivotTable is perfect, you can copy and paste to create your other tables.
Step 3: Duplicate and rename the PivotTables
Instead of creating each PivotTable from scratch, you can save time by copying and pasting the first one.
Copy the entire PivotTable you just made.
Paste it into a new, empty area on the same worksheet. Make sure there's plenty of space between the tables so they don't overlap when you add or filter data.
Repeat this process until you have as many PivotTables as you need for your dashboard.
To avoid confusion later, it's a good idea to give each PivotTable a unique, descriptive name. Select each table, type a new name in the PivotTable Name box.
Step 4: Create the PivotCharts
Now let's turn your data into visuals.
Click anywhere inside your first PivotTable.
Go to the PivotTable Analyze tab and click PivotChart.
Choose the chart type you want (e.g., a bar chart, line chart, or combo chart) and click OK.
Adjust the size and formatting of the chart using the PivotChart Analyze, Design, and Format tabs.
Repeat this process for each of your PivotTables.
Just like with the PivotTables, you can rename your charts by selecting one and using the Chart Name box on the PivotChart Analyze tab.
Step 5: Add Slicers and a Timeline
This is where your dashboard becomes interactive. Slicers and Timelines are visual filters that let you control which data is displayed.
Click on any of your PivotTables.
Go to the PivotTable Analyze tab, and in the Filter group, click Insert Slicer.
A dialog box will appear with a list of all your data fields. Check the boxes for the fields you want to use as filters, such as Category, Employee, or Customer.
Click OK. The slicers will appear on your sheet. You can move, resize, and arrange them as you like.
To make a slicer control all your PivotTables and charts, you need to connect them. Right-click on a slicer and choose Report Connections. Check the box next to every PivotTable you want to filter. Repeat for all your slicers.
If your data has a date field, you can add a Timeline. Click on a PivotTable, go to the PivotTable Analyze tab, and click Insert Timeline.
Select your date field. This will add a timeline control that you can use to filter your data by months, quarters, or years. Connect it to your PivotTables just like you did with the slicers.
Step 6: Refine and finalize your dashboard
Now that everything is in place, you can make your dashboard look professional and easy to use.
Add a title and other text boxes.
You can turn off the gridlines and row/column headings to give it a clean look. Go to the View tab and uncheck Gridlines and Headings.
Arrange your charts, tables, and filters so they are easy to read and understand.
Test all your slicers and the timeline to make sure they work correctly and don't cause any errors. If a PivotTable gets too big and tries to overlap another, you'll need to move them further apart.
Once you're happy with how it looks and works, your dynamic dashboard is ready to be shared with others!
At this point, you’ve got a working, interactive dashboard in Excel — clean, easy to navigate, and ready to share.
Best practices for building an Excel dashboard
Follow these key rules to create Excel dashboards that are clear, effective, and easy for anyone to use.
1. Follow the 5-second rule
Your user should be able to understand the main takeaways of the dashboard within five seconds.
How to Test It: Show the dashboard to a colleague unfamiliar with the project. If they can't quickly grasp the key insights, you need to simplify your design.
2. Don't overcrowd the dashboard
It’s tempting to include every piece of data, but this creates confusion, not clarity.
Focus only on the most important metrics (KPIs) that help drive decisions.
Move less critical details to a separate, more detailed report.
3. Keep your scales consistent
To allow for fair visual comparisons, charts showing similar data must use the same scale.
If you have two charts showing monthly sales, ensure the value axis (e.g., from $0 to $10,000) is identical on both. Inconsistent scales are misleading.
4. Plan for data updates
A dashboard is useless if the data is stale, so make sure to regularly update the data. Have a clear plan for keeping it current and ensuring all necessary data is included.
Define who updates the data and when (e.g., every Monday at 9 AM).
Clearly state the last refresh date on the dashboard.
Automate the refresh process whenever possible to ensure reliability.
5. Test for compatibility
Make sure your dashboard works correctly for everyone on your team.
Screen Size: Check how the dashboard looks on a smaller laptop screen, not just a large monitor.
Excel Version: If your colleagues use older versions of Excel, avoid using features that are only available in the newest release (like certain functions or chart types).
Final touches for a professional dashboard
Be transparent: Briefly document your data sources and any important calculations.
Create a simple guide: Explain how to use interactive features like filters and slicers.
Ask for feedback: Give users a way to suggest improvements.
Review and revise: Check the dashboard every few months to make sure it is still accurate and relevant to business goals.
Advanced Excel dashboard features
Ready to move beyond the basics? These advanced Excel features can help you handle massive datasets, create slicker interactions, and automate your workflow like a pro.
Handle huge datasets with Power Pivot
If your data has hundreds of thousands (or millions!) of rows, standard Excel can slow to a crawl. Power Pivot is the solution.
Think of it as a high-performance engine built inside Excel. It lets you load and connect multiple data tables to analyze them together, all without freezing your computer.
Create "drill-downs" for deeper insights
Don't clutter your main dashboard. Instead, let users click on a summary number or chart to "drill down" into the details on a separate, hidden sheet.
How it works: You simply create a hyperlink on a chart or shape that navigates the user to a hidden worksheet containing the detailed data. It’s like clicking a link on a website to get more information.
Make titles and labels dynamic
Make your charts smarter by having their titles update automatically based on what the user selects in a filter or slicer.
Example: Instead of a static title like "Sales Report," you can use a formula to create a title that changes to "Sales Report - West Region" when a user clicks the "West" slicer.
Set up automatic data refreshes
Tired of manually clicking "Refresh"? You can set your dashboard to update automatically.
This is perfect for data connected to an external source like a company database or a website. You can configure the connection to refresh every time the file is opened or at a set time interval (e.g., every 30 minutes).
Build alerts with conditional formatting
Instantly draw attention to numbers that require action. Use conditional formatting to create rules that automatically change a cell’s color based on its value.
For example, you can make a cell turn red if a value falls below a target or green if a goal is exceeded.
Other power tools to explore
Macros (VBA): Automate complex, repetitive tasks or build completely custom user features.
Form controls: Add interactive elements like drop-down menus, option buttons, and checkboxes for more advanced filtering.
Dynamic array formulas: (Available in Microsoft 365) Use modern functions like FILTER, SORT, and UNIQUE that process entire ranges of data instantly.
Types of dashboards
Here are a variety of common dashboards that businesses may create, and the components each includes, so that the dashboard covers all essential business metrics.
Sales performance dashboard
Tracks sales and revenue generation, plus sales team effectiveness.
Use this free template in Lark
Key components include:
Number of clients and new clients
Expected order value
Sales by region charts
Opportunities by stage donut chart
Clients by stage pie chart
Project management dashboard template
Displays project status and resource allocation.
Use this free template in Lark
Key components include:
Task deadline countdown widget
Project type donut chart
Project assignment by employee widget
Weekly report bar chart
Project status pie chart
HR analytics dashboard
Shows workforce metrics and employee performance.
Use this free template in Lark
Key components include:
Number of active and resigning employees
Employees by department column chart
Types of active employees pie chart
Salary disbursement trend chart
Employee turnover rate gauge
Marketing campaign dashboard
Tracks digital marketing effectiveness and ROI.
Use this template for free in Lark
Key components include:
Number of events
Event approval funnel
Event type bar chart
Budget approval bar chart
Even outcome word cloud widget
5 Excel dashboard templates
While you can create dashboards from scratch, I recommend at least exploring some of the pre-built dashboards available online.
1. Team status report dashboard
This KPI dashboard template is a great way to monitor your team's progress. It provides a clear overview of individual tasks, deadlines, and key milestones, making it easy for managers to track a project's health.
Image source: template.net
2. Workload dashboard template
This workload dashboard template gives you a clear view of your team’s capacity and labor costs. On the left, color-coded bar charts show each team member’s monthly availability in black and current workload allocation in yellow, helping project managers balance resources effectively.
Image source: projectmanager.com
3. Supply chain dashboard template
This supply chain dashboard template gives you a complete overview of your operations in one place. With charts and graphs for key metrics like defect rate, lead time, and delivery time, it helps you quickly spot trends, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions.
Image source: templatelab.com
4. Project management dashboard template
This project management dashboard template makes it easier to track multiple projects without the heavy effort it usually takes. It gives you a clear, consolidated view of all active projects in one organized hub.
Image source: template.net
5. Inventory dashboard template
This inventory dashboard template gives you real-time visibility into your stock levels. It tracks key details such as items available, total stock value, purchased items, and more—all in one organized hub. With clear charts and summaries, it helps you avoid stockouts, control costs, and keep your inventory running efficiently.
Image source:templatelab.com
Limitations of Excel dashboards
Despite being a popular tool for data analysis, Excel dashboards have several limitations that can impact their effectiveness, especially for larger or more complex projects. Understanding these constraints can help you determine if Excel is the right tool for your needs or if a more specialized solution is necessary.
Poor performance
Excel can struggle with large datasets, especially those over a million rows or with complex calculations. This can lead to slow response times, long refresh periods, and a frustrating user experience. While add-ons like Power Pivot can help, very large datasets are often better handled by dedicated database solutions.
Lack of real-time data
Unlike specialized business intelligence (BI) tools such as Power BI or Tableau, Excel has a limited ability to connect to and refresh data in real-time. It lacks the instant, streaming data capabilities that are often essential for up-to-the-minute analysis.
Limited visualizations
Excel dashboard designs and charting options are functional but basic compared to specialized tools. Creating advanced or complex dashboard visuals often requires significant workarounds or support, which can be troublesome.
Maintenance overhead
Dashboards often require manual refreshing, and data connections from your data source can easily break if source files are moved or network paths change. This can create significant maintenance challenges and requires users to troubleshoot technical issues.
Other constraints
Mobile access is limited compared to web-based solutions, making dashboards look less appealing on smaller devices.
Security features are less sophisticated than those in enterprise BI platforms, meaning all the raw data is at risk of being leaked.
Scalability is a concern for large-scale, company-wide deployment. Your dashboard should grow as your company does.
Integration with modern cloud data sources and APIs can be challenging compared to other tools.
Considering these limitations is crucial when deciding if Excel dashboards can meet your organization's analytical needs or if a specialized BI tool would be a better investment.
The best alternative to Excel dashboards
Although Excel is a familiar tool, it's not the best choice for creating dashboards or handling data management. Its static, manual nature creates more work than it saves. In 2025, there are a variety of next-gen tools that can take your raw data and turn it into clear insights without you having to deal with complicated Excel tools.
That’s why Lark stands out as a clear Excel dashboard alternative. With its no-code platform, Base, teams can create beautiful, interactive dashboards without coding, all fully connected to their chats, docs, meetings, and more for seamless, real-time collaboration.
A next-gen upgrade
Base dashboards are a major improvement over Excel dashboards, providing instant, easy-to-read insights without the hassle.
Real-time data: Unlike static spreadsheets, Base dashboards update instantly with live data. Track progress and key metrics in real time, so you can make decisions based on up-to-the-minute information.
Automation and simplicity: Base eliminates the need for complex formulas and manual reporting. As tasks are updated, your dashboard automatically reflects the changes, saving you time and effort.
Seamless collaboration: Share your dashboard in group chats, emails, or inside docs. Everyone on your team can access the same, up-to-date information, ending the chaos of version control issues and manual status updates.
Customization: Tailor your dashboards to your exact needs with over 35 charts and widgets for representing data, allowing you to visualize the right data in a way that makes the most sense for your team.
Mobile access: Keep teams connected and informed from anywhere—whether at HQ or on the frontline—so they can monitor data and make decisions on the go.
Easy to build: Forget complex formulas and hours of setup. Base’s intuitive, no-code interface lets you build professional-looking dashboards in minutes with drag-and-drop functionality for adjusting the dashboard layout.
How to build dashboards in Lark
Creating dashboards has never been easier.
Sign up for a free Lark account.
Open Lark Base.
Input your data or import data from an Excel file.
Click Dashboard in the left navigation bar.
Add the charts you need and watch the video below to learn more:
If you're looking for inspiration, start with one of Lark's free templates.
More than just dashboards
What makes Lark truly superior is that it's more than just a go-to tool for creating dashboards—it’s a complete work platform.
Integrated communication: Lark combines messaging, video calls, and calendars to make communication simple without switching to third-party tools.
Productivity tools: Create documents, wikis, presentations, diagrams, mind maps, and more. Need to use traditional spreadsheets? Lark Sheets gives you spreadsheet-style functionality just like Microsoft Excel.
Work management: Streamline your operations with automated approval flows, organized attendance tracking, and performance management through OKRs.
Project management: Create tasks directly from a message, set deadlines, and track progress within a unified platform for project management.
Business system builder: Whether in sales, IT, accounting, or marketing, Lark lets you build your business systems directly within the platform. No coding or IT support needed—you can create a CRM, CMS, KPI system, or any other system with ease.
AI: Lark’s AI simplifies work by analyzing data, generating formulas, summarizing meetings, identifying action items, and providing instant answers—turning information into actionable insights in seconds.
Affordable for all teams: Lark’s free plan gives you access to 11 products for up to 20 users. The paid plan starts at just $12 per user, making Lark a truly cost-effective solution for businesses of any size.
Final thoughts on creating dashboards in Excel
Now that you’ve learned how to create a dashboard in Excel step by step, you can confidently turn raw data into visual, actionable insights. Excel provides a solid foundation for understanding metrics and spotting trends, but it is a legacy tool. Its lack of real-time data management and other limitations make it less than ideal for creating and managing dashboards efficiently.
Modern tools like Lark take your dashboards further by displaying real-time data, enabling seamless collaboration, automating repetitive tasks, and making insights instantly accessible to your entire team. With Lark, data becomes more than numbers—it’s a shared resource that drives smarter decisions, faster actions, and better outcomes for your business.
FAQs
How to create a dashboard in Excel that updates automatically?
Use tables or Power Query in your Excel workbook to import data, create PivotTables/Charts, and enable automatic refresh so visuals update when the source data changes.
How to create a KPI dashboard in Excel?
Identify key metrics, use tables or PivotTables, insert charts or conditional formatting, and display metrics with visual cues like traffic lights or gauges.
How to create a metrics dashboard in Excel?
Collect data in your Excel workbook, summarize it with PivotTables, and organize visuals on a single sheet for quick insights.
What is PivotTable?
A PivotTable (sometimes written as pivot table) is an MS Excel tool that summarizes, analyzes, and explores large datasets dynamically in your Excel workbook.
What types of charts can I add to an Excel dashboard?
You can choose a variety of dynamic charts, including:
Column/Bar – Compare categories
Line – Show trends over time
Pie/Doughnut – Show proportions
Area – Highlight volume or trends
Scatter/Bubble – Show relationships
Combo – Mix chart types
PivotCharts – Interactive charts from PivotTables
Waterfall – Show cumulative changes
All can update automatically with your dashboard data.
What is the best Excel alternative?
Google Sheets is the most popular alternative for collaboration; others include LibreOffice Calc and Smartsheet. For dynamic dashboards that turn complex data into valuable insights, Lark offers a variety of user-friendly tools and AI to create visually appealing dashboards that highlight key information.
What is the best dashboard software?
Lark, Power BI, Tableau, and Google Data Studio are top choices for interactive tools to create charts and automated dashboards.
Can I use an Excel dashboard for data analysis?
Yes, Excel dashboards can analyze, visualize, and track trends in your data effectively.
How to analyze data in Excel?
Open your Excel workbook to analyze more data using:
Charts: to visualize data
Excel formulas: for complex calculations and filtering
Conditional formatting: to automate the spreadsheet’s responses to specific data points
PivotTable: to sort, reorganize, count, group, and sum data in a table
Power Pivot: to create data models and work with large data sets
