Resources/Spreadsheet dashboards

Step-by-step guide

How to Create a Dashboard from a Spreadsheet

Follow one workflow for XLSX, XLS, or Google Sheets: prepare the spreadsheet, import and transform it, build a verified dashboard, and keep it updated.

Dashboard with charts, tables, and KPI cards created from spreadsheet data in Dashbreeze.
The tutorial starts with a spreadsheet and ends with a published dashboard.

Create a spreadsheet dashboard, step by step

1

Prepare the spreadsheet

Take a quick look at the data before importing it. If it already matches this format, move on.

Do this

  1. Start the dataset in cell A1 and put unique column names in row 1.
  2. Use one row per record and one type of value per column.
  3. If needed, remove merged cells, titles, notes, subtotals, and blank rows inside the data.
  4. Keep separate datasets on separate sheets.
  5. If the sheet has formulas, fix errors and recalculate it. Dashbreeze imports the displayed result—not the formula, pivot table, or macro.
You’re ready when: Each column has a unique name and you can explain what one row represents.
Spreadsheet upload screen in Dashbreeze showing worksheets available for import.
A spreadsheet ready to import: headers in the first row and one record per row.
2

Import Excel or connect Google Sheets

Choose where the spreadsheet lives. Each sheet you select becomes a table you can use in the dashboard.

Do this

  1. Open Tables and select Create Table.
  2. For XLSX or XLS: choose Upload File, upload the saved workbook, and select the worksheets you need.
  3. For Google Sheets: choose Google Sheets, connect your Google account, paste the spreadsheet URL, and select the sheets you need.
  4. Select Create Table and wait for the import to finish.
You’re ready when: Click Configure Table to open the imported table. Compare a few rows, including formula results, with the spreadsheet.
Choose a spreadsheet source, select the sheets to import, and create the Dashbreeze tables.
3

Clean and combine the imported data

Only make changes your dashboard needs. These changes do not affect the original spreadsheet.

Do this

  1. Open the imported table and select a column heading.
  2. Choose a transformation only when you need it: rename a column, correct its type, format values, filter or sort rows, or move or remove columns.
  3. Apply shared cleanup here once so every dashboard block uses the same result.
You’re ready when: Column names and types are correct, and the table contains the rows needed by the dashboard.
Use the table editor to rename, format, filter, sort, move, or remove columns without changing the source spreadsheet.
4

Create a dashboard

Create the dashboard first. Then add the blocks you want to use, one at a time.

Do this

  1. Select Create Dashboard in the left sidebar.
  2. Dashbreeze opens the new dashboard in Draft mode.
  3. You do not need to plan the complete layout yet. In the next step, start with one useful block.
You’re ready when: The new dashboard is open and ready for your first block.
Select Create Dashboard in the left sidebar to start a new dashboard.
5

Add the blocks you need

Build one piece at a time. A block can be a chart, number, table, filter, text, or image.

Do this

  1. Open Blocks in the left sidebar.
  2. Choose a block type and drag it onto the dashboard.
  3. Pick a chart for patterns, a KPI for one important number, or a table for individual rows.
  4. Start with one block. Once it works, add the next one.
You’re ready when: You have at least one block that answers a useful question about the data.
Open Blocks and add only the elements needed to explain the spreadsheet data.
6

Connect data to each block

Now tell the block what to show. Start with the result you want, then choose the matching columns.

Do this

  1. Select a block on the canvas and open its Data tab.
  2. Choose the option below that is closest to the result you want.
  3. Connect the imported table and complete the fields listed for that block type.
  4. Check the preview while you configure it. You can return and change any field later.

Data setup

What do you want this block to show?

Pick the closest option. You can change the block later.

Show a change or comparison

Choose a Chart

Example: revenue over time or orders by region

  1. Choose your spreadsheet table.
  2. For X-Axis or Label, choose a date or category.
  3. For Values, choose the number to measure.
  4. Choose a calculation—usually Sum or Count.
Result: Date + Revenue + Sum = total revenue over time

Show one important number

Choose a KPI

Example: total revenue, order count, or average price

  1. Choose the Value setting.
  2. Select your spreadsheet table and numeric column.
  3. Choose Sum, Count, or Average.
Result: Revenue + Sum = total revenue

Show individual spreadsheet rows

Choose a Table

Example: orders with date, customer, and amount

  1. Choose your spreadsheet table.
  2. Under Columns, select what readers should see.
  3. Add a filter only if some rows should be hidden.
Result: Orders table + selected columns = detailed order list
Not sure about calculations? Use Sum to add numbers, Count to count rows, and Average to find the mean. These three cover most spreadsheet dashboards.
Other block types
KPI Trend

Use it when one number also needs a previous-period or previous-year comparison.

Gauge

Use it to compare a current value with a goal.

Dashboard Filter

Add a visible control that lets viewers filter several connected blocks at once.

Dashboard Filter or block filter: which one do I need?

Fixed rule

Filter inside a block

Use this when one chart, KPI, or table should always show a smaller part of the data. You set the rule while editing, and viewers do not change it.

Example: A KPI with Status equals Completed always counts only completed orders. Other blocks stay unchanged.

Viewer control

Dashboard Filter block

Use this when viewers should choose a date, text value, or number and update multiple blocks on the dashboard together.

Example: A Region filter can update the revenue KPI, sales chart, and orders table at the same time.

Set up a Dashboard Filter
  1. Connect your charts, KPIs, and tables first. Dashbreeze uses those blocks to find the available tables and columns.
  2. Add a Dashboard Filter block and choose its type: Date, Text, or Numeric.
  3. For each table, select the matching column the filter should control. For a Region filter, select the Region column in every table that should respond.
  4. Leave out any block that should not change. A block responds only when its table and matching column are selected.
  5. Preview the dashboard, choose a filter value, and confirm that every intended block updates.
Using more than one table? The filter does not guess that differently named columns mean the same thing. Select the corresponding column from each table yourself—for example, Region in Orders and Sales Region in Targets.
You’re ready when: Compare the block’s total or row count with the same calculation in the spreadsheet. Continue only when they match.
Choose the table and configure the data fields required by the selected block type.
7

Customize the dashboard design

Make it feel polished without designing everything from scratch. A theme handles most of the work.

Do this

  1. Open Theme and apply a theme that fits the dashboard’s audience.
  2. Select a block and open Block to adjust its colors, chart style, labels, axes, and display options.
  3. Open Card to adjust the title, background, border, spacing, and typography around that block.
  4. Keep the theme defaults wherever they already look good.
You’re ready when: Colors and typography are consistent, labels are readable, and the most important values stand out.
Apply a dashboard theme, then customize the appearance of individual blocks when needed.
8

Arrange the dashboard layout

There is no single correct layout. Put the most useful answer first and keep related blocks together.

Do this

  1. Drag the main KPIs and charts toward the top of the dashboard.
  2. Resize blocks so labels and values are readable without wasting space.
  3. Keep related blocks close together and use text blocks to explain sections when needed.
  4. Duplicate a block when you need a similar view, then change its data or filter.
  5. Check the large-screen and small-screen layouts and rearrange either one when necessary.
You’re ready when: A reader can scan the dashboard from top to bottom and understand the main result without opening the spreadsheet.
Move and resize blocks to create a clear visual order for desktop and smaller screens.
9

Finish, publish, and share

Your dashboard is ready to finish once the first block shows the right result.

Do this

  1. Add the remaining charts, KPIs, tables, filters, or text blocks.
  2. Place the most important result first and remove anything that does not answer a question.
  3. Open Publish and select Publish Dashboard.
  4. Open Share and choose an available public link, protected link, email invitation, or embed code.
You’re ready when: Test the shared dashboard as a viewer and confirm its filters and totals still work.
Publish the finished dashboard, then select how viewers can access it.
10

Keep the dashboard data up to date

Choose the update path that matches your source. Uploaded files and connected Google Sheets work differently.

Uploaded XLSX or XLS file

  1. Edit the workbook and save the new version.
  2. Keep the worksheet names and columns used by the dashboard.
  3. Open the table in Dashbreeze and select Sync data.
  4. Upload the new file and wait for the import to finish.

Connected Google Sheets

  1. Select Sync data when you want the latest changes immediately.
  2. For scheduled updates, open the table update settings.
  3. Choose Automatic and select how often Dashbreeze should check the spreadsheet.
  4. Choose Manual if updates should happen only when you select Sync data.
You’re ready when: Open the dashboard and confirm that one changed row and one known total match the latest spreadsheet.
Side-by-side Dashbreeze update options showing manual file replacement for uploaded spreadsheets and manual or automatic synchronization for Google Sheets.
Uploaded files are updated by uploading a new version. Google Sheets can refresh when you select Sync data or automatically on a schedule.

Recap: from spreadsheet to dashboard

You do not need to plan the entire dashboard before you begin. Follow the workflow once, check each result, and improve the dashboard one block at a time.

  1. 1. Prepare a spreadsheet with column names in the first row and one record per row.
  2. 2. Upload an XLSX or XLS file, or connect Google Sheets.
  3. 3. Transform the imported table only when the data needs cleanup.
  4. 4. Create a dashboard from the left sidebar and add its first block.
  5. 5. Add blocks, connect their data, and confirm the results against the spreadsheet.
  6. 6. Apply a theme, arrange the layout, publish, and choose how to share it.
  7. 7. Upload a new file or sync Google Sheets whenever the source data changes.
Final check: Open the shared dashboard as a viewer. Confirm that its totals match the spreadsheet, its labels are clear, and its filters work as expected.

Need help with a specific step?

Find detailed product instructions in the Help Center

This tutorial explains the complete spreadsheet workflow. Use these Help Center articles when you need more detail about a particular Dashbreeze screen or setting.

Uploaded filesImport and replace XLSX or XLS files.Google SheetsConnect a spreadsheet and configure its updates.Creating a dashboardLearn more about blocks, data, and the dashboard editor.
Browse the Help Center

Quick answers

Does this tutorial work with Excel and Google Sheets?
Yes. XLSX and XLS files use Upload File. Google Sheets uses a connected Google account and spreadsheet URL. The transformation and dashboard steps are the same.
Are spreadsheet formulas imported?
Dashbreeze imports the displayed formula result, not the formula itself. Recalculate and save Excel files before upload. Pivot tables and macros do not become dashboard logic.
Can I merge two spreadsheet tables?
Yes, when needed. Open the table that should receive more columns, select Join another table, choose the second table, and match a shared identifier such as Customer ID.
Will the spreadsheet update automatically?
Uploaded XLSX/XLS files use Manual mode and require Sync data plus a new upload. Google Sheets can use Manual mode or Automatic mode with a selected update schedule.
Does Dashbreeze change the source spreadsheet?
No. Imports and transformations do not edit the Excel file or Google Sheets spreadsheet.
Which chart should I use?
Use a line chart for time, a bar chart for category comparisons, a KPI for one number, and a table for individual rows.