5 Worst Excel Dashboard Mistakes

WorstExcel

DashboardMistakes

5and how to avoid

them

No clear focus

1Mistake

#

Know what the dashboard is designed

to show

• What key information should be highlighted?

• Which numbers are most important?

1Fix #

Highlight key data at top1Fix #

Rainbow Colors

2Mistake

#

Rainbow colors distract from the key information

• Select a muted color scheme

• Use stronger, brighter colors sparingly, to draw attention to key items

2Fix #

Muted colors with a few accents2

Fix #

Too crowded3Mistake

#

Don’t include everything

• Too much data hides the key information

• Limit the items and have links to supplementary sheets

3Fix #

Clean & simple layout3Fix #

Chart Clutter

4Mistake

#

Keep charts clean and simple

• Remove background colors, gridlines and pictures

• No pie charts, or 3-D chart effects to distort the data

• Simple color schemes in charts

4Fix #

Clear charts, no backgrounds or 3-

D4Fix #

No Interactivity

5Mistake

#

Give Control to Users• Option buttons, check

boxes

• Scroll bars, spin buttons

• Drop down lists, slicers

5Fix #

Add controls for Interactivity5

Fix #

Excel Dashboard Tips

1. Highlight key data at top

2. Muted colors with a few accents

3. Clean & simple layout4. Clear charts5. Interactive controls

5

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