In this 6 part tutorial, you can learn how to make excel dashboards to monitor various KPIs (Key Performance Metrics). The tutorial starts by explaining how to show KPI metrics for hundreds of rows in a simple scrollable grid and go on to show how you can add micro-charts.

(1) Create Scrollable Lists in KPI Dashboards
(2) Add Ability to Sort KPIs in Dashboard
(3) Highlight Values Based on Percentile of KPIs
(4) Add Microcharts to KPI Dashboards
(5) Compare 2 KPIs in Dashboard
(6) Show Distribution of a KPI using Box Plots

Information Dashboard Visualization is vast area. In order to make better dashboards, it is imperative that you understand the theory and principles behind dashboard design & implementation. In this section you find useful resources on dashboard design.

(1) Lessons on dashboard design from your zoo
(2) Advice for Dashboard Makers on Storytelling
(3) How Optical Illusions help you make better charts
(4) 14 Basic Charting Skills You Should Have
(5) Good Charts are like Stories
(6) Prevent users from scrolling on dashboards
… More charting principles

Charts (graphs) are an integral part of any dashboard. If you want to make a very good dashboard, you should master some of the charting tricks like making micro-charts, making dynamic charts, using form controls etc. In this section, you can find resources that can help you make better charts.

(1) Dynamic Charts using Excel – Tutorials
(2) 7 ways to use micro-charts in dashboards
(3) Bullet charts in Dashboards
(4) Using Symbols in Dashboards
(5) Combining 2 Chart Types in Excel
(6) Gauges (speedometer) in Dashboards
(7) Showing Market Share Data in Excel
(8) Showing Budget vs. Actual Performance
(9) Group Related Events in Dashboard Charts
… Many more charting tutorials / examples

Making dashboards in excel is an intricate process. The process starts with understanding the data, then structuring it in a meaningful format, defining calculations, making the charts and finally putting everything together. Below is a list of excel dashboard tutorials that are my favorite.

(1) Information Dashboard on Survey Results
(2) Simple Sales Dashboard in Excel
(3) Visualizing Cricket Statistics in a Dashboard
(4) Best Cities to Find a Job – Dashboard
(5) Project Status Dashboard using Excel
(6) Visualize Search Terms on Travel Sites

We have a large and buzzing community at Chandoo.org. Every now and then, one of our members send me an excel dashboard that they have implemented. In this section I will feature such dashboards so that you can learn from our members.

(1) Example Project Management Dashboard
(2) Example Tweetboards
… More on dashboards in our forums

The best way to learn about dashboards is to study an existing dashboard. This can reveal several useful lessons like design, colors, implementation, analysis, metrics tracked etc. In this section you can find posts on various real-life dashboards and their analysis.

(1) Web Analytics Dashboard Review
(2) Resume as a Information Dashboard – Review
(3) Analysis of Google’s Intelligence Dashboard