Excel expert David Ringstrom, CPA, covers the basics of creating and utilizing Excel dashboards in this comprehensive course. Dashboards empower users to quickly assimilate large amounts of data into spreadsheets by way of pivot tables, charts, and other Excel features. David shows you how to streamline data analysis, expand or collapse rows and/or columns, create dashboards that look less like Excel spreadsheets, filter pivot table data based on date ranges, and more.

David demonstrates every technique at least twice: first, on a PowerPoint slide with numbered steps, and second, in Excel 2016. He draws your attention to any differences in Excel 2013, 2010, or 2007 during the presentation as well as in his detailed handouts. David also provides an Excel workbook that includes most of the examples he uses during the webcast.  

Topics Covered:

  • Creating self-updating titles for charts and pivot charts.
  • Exploring the Recommended Charts feature in Excel 2013 and later.
  • Discovering how Microsoft Query allows you to create self-updating links to databases, spreadsheets, text files, and other data sources.
  • Seeing how the Sparkline feature empowers you to create tiny, in-cell charts for showing trends of data.
  • Using the Group and Ungroup feature to expand or collapse rows and/or columns.
  • Jump-starting data visualization with the Quick Analysis feature.
  • Filtering pivot table data based on date ranges by way of the Timeline feature in Excel 2013 and later.
  • Learning how to hide or unhide Excel’s Ribbon interface using a simple macro technique.
  • Creating dynamic and interactive graphs with Excel’s PivotChart feature.
  • Using the Linked Picture feature to place pivot tables in close proximity to each other without posing conflicts.
  • Understanding how to use the Slicer feature to streamline data analysis within tables and pivot tables.
  • Creating a dashboard that looks less like an Excel spreadsheet by hiding screen elements.

 

Learning Objectives
  • Discover how to use the Quick Analysis feature for data visualization.
  • Recognize how to use Microsoft Query to create persistent connections to data you wish to present in a dashboard.
  • Explore how to create a dashboard that looks less like an Excel spreadsheet. 
Last updated/reviewed: March 10, 2024
24 Reviews (89 ratings)

Reviews

5
Member's Profile
Dashboard creation the right way! Intro to Microsoft Query! Best practices for Pivot Tables! This is a great course for those in accounting which are Controllers, Senior Accountants, and many more roles. Would have liked to see more options with software integration with the query tool, but this video keeps it simple as a framework to expand upon! Awesome job!

5
Anonymous Author
I liked the fast pace of the class and the use of examples. The material was very relevant to situations faced by many financial professionals. I have already identified multiple ways that I can automate repetitive month-end tasks using material from this course.

5
Anonymous Author
I have used pivot tables in the past, however, this program showed me new functions that I was unaware of. I will be using the dashboard concept for my role in the next couple of days, and I plan to continue on and take part two of this course later today.

5
Anonymous Author
The way that David's courses are set up are easy to follow and understand because he provides step by step processes as well as instructions. His PDFs are also very well setup that they can be used after the course.

5
Member's Profile
This was an interesting course. Allot of it I had already learned, but there were some tidbits in there that I found useful, such as "refresh on file opening" and ctrl-drag for adding a new sheet in excel (who knew?).

5
Anonymous Author
A great variety of tools to use on reporting. Great video for someone new to dashboards. The summary and objectives of the course need to be updated, as some of that is not covered.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course again from David! I wish though each clip from the beginning was for that particular submodule exclusively. Other than that it is a very very informative course.

4
Anonymous Author
There are several tips that I learned from this lecture that I can start using on my day to day jobs. David was very good on providing lectures that are easy to follow.

5
Anonymous Author
I consider myself a pivot table pro and I learned a couple tips. I really enjoyed this class and learned about Microsoft Query which I can't wait to try.

4
Member's Profile
I had not known how to set up a dashboard aside from using another software package. These tips help you set up your own dashboard using Excel.

5
Member's Profile
I have been using pivot tables for many years but this was a new level of use that I am excited to try. Easy to follow instructions.

4
Anonymous Author
It was very good and detailed, I took off one star because the contact is dated for Nov 2021. Power Pivot does everything and more

4
Member's Profile
an engaging course that shows you a number of great features using both explanations and actual examples in Excel

4
Anonymous Author
Excellent course. I've used pivot tables for many years and learned new tricks - especially the link picture.

5
Member's Profile
I like seeing the screenshots of actions to be performed and then performing the actual actions live in Excel.

5
Member's Profile
it is really clear, everything step by step it's something i really value when learning about a new thing.

5
Anonymous Author
Great course. Good step by step numbered instructions followed by actual video showing the process.

5
Member's Profile
This course covers a lot of ground. I will definitely use the new knowledge I now possess

5
Member's Profile
I realized that I need a refresher course in pivot tables to better understand dashboards

5
Anonymous Author
Great tools to use for a dashboard. Always presents it well as overview, then example.

5
Anonymous Author
The instructor provides good examples and explanations as he walks thru the steps.

4
Anonymous Author
The course covers many essential topics. The steps were demonstrated well.

4
Anonymous Author
great course of excel efficiency: Dashboards which really add value

5
Anonymous Author
The course was very informative and easy to follow.

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Intermediate

Program Prerequisites: Experience with Excel

Advance Preparation: None

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to Excel Efficiency: Dashboards Part 111:21
  Microsoft Query: New Data Source and Text Files9:08
  Microsoft Query with Text Files and Amending the Query10:18
  Data Security Prompts, Recommended Pivot Tables and Charts (Excel 2013+) and Summarize Pivote Tables8:52
  Applying Number Formats to Pivot Tables, Hiding Worksheet Gridlines and Autofit Column Widths7:59
  Renaming Value Fields in Pivot Tables and Replicate the Pivot Tables7:33
  Top 10 Pivot Tables and Silicing Pivot Tables (Excel 2010+)9:59
  Slicing Pivot Tables (Excel 2010+), Formatting Slicer (Excel 2010+) and Slicing Multiple Pivot Tables10:04
  Incorrect Way to Assemble the Dashboard, Pivot Table Conflicts and Pasting Linked Pictures of Pivot Tables6:48
  Assembling the Dashboard and Automatic Pivot Table Refresh10:21
  Refreshing All Pivot Tables, Pivot Tables Drill-Down and Blank Cell Within Data9:55
  Filling Blank Cells with Zeros for Pivot Tables, Pivot Table Enable Show Detail Option and Conclusion5:19
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  Excel Efficiency: Dashboards Part 11:47:36
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: Excel Efficiency: Dashboards Part 1PDF
  Excel Efficiency: Dashboards Part 1 Glossary/IndexPDF
  Workbook: Excel Efficiency Dashboards Part 1XLSX
  Fruit SalesCSV
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONS quiz
 FINAL EXAMexam