1.
Worst
Excel
Dashboard
Mistakes
and how to avoid them

2.
Mistake #
1
No clear focus

3.
Fix #
1
Know what the dashboard is
designed to show
• What key information should be
highlighted?
• Which numbers are most important?

4.
Fix #
1
Highlight key data at top

5.
Mistake #
2
Rainbow Colors

6.
Fix #
2
Rainbow colors distract
from the key information
• Select a muted color scheme
• Use stronger, brighter colors
sparingly, to draw attention to
key items

7.
Fix #
2
Muted colors with a few accents

8.
Mistake #
3
Too crowded

9.
Fix #
3
Don’t include everything
• Too much data hides the key
information
• Limit the items and have links
to supplementary sheets

10.
Fix #
3
Clean & simple layout

11.
Mistake #
4
Chart Clutter

12.
Fix #
4
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

13.
Fix #
4
Clear charts, no
backgrounds or 3-D

14.
Mistake #
5
No Interactivity

15.
Fix #
5
Give Control to Users
• Option buttons, check boxes
• Scroll bars, spin buttons
• Drop down lists, slicers

16.
Fix #
5
Add controls for Interactivity

17.
5
Excel Dashboard Tips
1. Highlight key data at top
2. Muted colors with a few accents
3. Clean & simple layout
4. Clear charts
5. Interactive controls

18.
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