1. Introduction
With the unparalleled versatility and adaptability of Microsoft Excel, it has become a critically important tool in the current business landscape. Dashboards, in particular, play a vital role in presenting complex data in a comprehensive and clear manner.
1.1 Importance of Excel Dashboard Template Site
Excel Dashboard Template Sites serve as a valuable resource for individuals and businesses that require readily available, customizable, and diverse dashboard templates. These sites eliminate the need for creating dashboards from scratch, which can be a time-consuming process particularly for those with little to no Excel proficiency. Furthermore, they provide a vast array of options catering to various industries, functional areas, and business requirements.
1.2 Objectives of this Comparison
This document aims to compare some of the best Excel Dashboard Template Sites available today. Through this comparison, readers should gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of what each site offers, including their respective advantages and drawbacks. Ultimately, this comparison seeks to assist individuals and businesses in selecting the most suitable site for their particular dashboard needs.
1.3 Excel File Repair Tool
A good Excel file repair tool is also essential to all Excel users. DataNumen Excel Repair is a commonly used one:
2. TheSmallman’s Excel Dashboard
TheSmallman’s Excel Dashboard offers a variety of layouts and functionalities that cater to diverse data visualisation needs. The website is user-friendly and provides templates suited for both beginners and advanced users.
2.1 Pros
- Comfortable for beginners: The site explains its templates well and they are easy-to-use, perfect for those starting their journey with Excel.
- Range of templates: This site offers a good spread of different types of dashboards to cater to varied data tracking and visualisation needs.
- User-friendly interface: The website’s layout is intuitive, making it easy to navigate and find the necessary resources.
2.2 Cons
- Limited advanced features: For highly sophisticated data representation, the dashboard templates on this site might fall short in terms of advanced functionalities.
- Vague instruction on some templates: While they are generally well explained, certain templates might lack comprehensive instruction, requiring the individual to possess a foundational understanding of Excel to fully utilize them.
3. Smartsheet Excel Dashboard Templates
Smartsheet offers an extensive selection of Excel dashboard templates with applicability across various industries and business functions. With a focus on project management, the dashboards on Smartsheet are dynamic and highly flexible.
3.1 Pros
- Dynamic use: The dashboards offered by Smartsheet are flexible and can be adjusted to specific user requirements, making them adaptable for a wide range of tasks.
- Emphasis on project management: The site offers a multitude of dashboards that focus on project management, catering particularly to project-based organizations or departments.
- Integration with Smartsheet platform: For users who are already using the Smartsheet management platform, the dashboards can be seamlessly integrated, enhancing efficiency and uniformity in business processes.
3.2 Cons
- Steep learning curve: The flexible and dynamic features of the dashboards may require a steep learning curve for individuals new to Excel or project management.
- Limited options outside project management: Although providing excellent project management solutions, the site might not offer as broad a range of dashboards for other functional areas.
- Best value for Smartsheet users only: Non-Smartsheet users might not fully take advantage of the dashboards’ full capabilities.
4. Chandoo Excel Dashboards
Chandoo Excel Dashboards provides an array of templates that span across various industries and functions, and are designed with practicality and ease of reading in mind. Moreover, the site also offers tutorials to assist users in navigating and utilizing their dashboards efficiently.
4.1 Pros
- Comprehensive tutorials: Chandoo not only provides Excel dashboard templates but also offers tutorials, thereby helping users understand and apply the templates better.
- Variety of templates: The site covers a wide range of industries and functional areas, thereby providing users with multiple options to choose from based on their specific requirements.
- Practical and easy-to-read designs: The designs of the dashboard templates on Chandoo are created keeping in mind practicality and readability, making them easy to use and understand.
4.2 Cons
- Website aesthetics: Some users might find the website aesthetics a bit outdated, which could potentially affect the user experience.
- Potential for information overload: With the abundance of tutorials provided, new Excel users might feel overwhelmed.
- Limited advanced features: While the dashboards are user-friendly, they may lack advanced features that some users may require for more sophisticated data visualisation and analysis.
5. ExcelFind Excel Dashboard
ExcelFind is a resourceful site providing Excel solutions for a vast array of sectors. They offer diverse dashboard templates designed to help streamline data visualisation and analytics processes, making it simpler to comprehend and present complex data.
5.1 Pros
- Wide range of templates: ExcelFind provides numerous dashboard templates, catering, therefore, to a variety of industries and businesses.
- User-friendly designs: Regardless of your Excel proficiency level, the dashboard templates are intuitive and straightforward, making them accessible to a broad user base.
- Diverse categories: The site offers dashboards for different categories of data visualisation, including sales, marketing, project management, and more.
5.2 Cons
- Minimal tutorial support: The site lacks sufficient tutorial support, which can make it challenging for novice users to effectively utilise the dashboard templates.
- Search functionality: The site’s overall search functionality could be improved to make finding specific dashboard templates quicker and more efficient.
- May lack advanced features: While the templates are user-friendly, some users looking for highly advanced features may find them insufficient.
6. TemplateLab Excel Dashboard Templates (+KPI Dashboards)
TemplateLab offers Excel dashboard templates with a particular emphasis on KPI tracking. It caters to multiple sectors and caters to a broad variety of business needs.
6.1 Pros
- KPI oriented: TemplateLab provides a special emphasis on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which are critical in tracking business performance.
- Diverse templates: The templates cater to a multitude of sectors, hence are likely to meet various business needs.
- Free templates: Most of the dashboard templates provided on the site are available for free, making it accessible for businesses with budget constraints.
6.2 Cons
- Simple outlook: While the templates are functional, they may not feature a highly sophisticated design outlook.
- May require Excel proficiency: With most of the templates focused on KPI tracking, users may need a certain level of proficiency with Excel to use them effectively.
- Limited support: Users may face challenges while using the templates due to lacklustre customer support.
7. ProjectManager Project Dashboard Template
ProjectManager offers a specialized project management dashboard template designed to keep projects on track and stakeholders informed. The tool focuses on tracking and visualizing project progress and performance in real-time.
7.1 Pros
- Real-time updates: The dashboard updates in real time, providing users with up-to-the-minute project tracking.
- Specialized in project management: The site is particularly valuable for project management, as it lets users manage, track, and report project progress effectively.
- Comprehensive tracking: The dashboard goes beyond basic project metrics and includes tracking and reporting of various project elements such as tasks, costs, and timelines.
7.2 Cons
- Requires ProjectManager software: To get the most out of these dashboards, users need to run them in conjunction with the ProjectManager software.
- Limited diversity: The site primarily focuses on project management dashboards, offering limited diversity for users looking for dashboards in other functional areas.
- Steep learning curve: Given its advanced features for project management, initial usage might be complex for novice users.
8. Excel Dashboard School Excel Dashboard Templates
Excel Dashboard School offers a plethora of visually appealing and functionally efficient Excel dashboard templates. The site caters to a range of business needs and user skill levels, delivering a blend of simplicity and versatility in its offerings.
8.1 Pros
- Aesthetically pleasing design: The dashboards provided by Excel Dashboard School stand out for their visual appeal, which can enhance the user experience and the quality of presentations.
- Variety of templates: The site offers a wide selection of templates, catering to a variety of businesses and functional areas.
- Functionally efficient: Despite their visual appeal, the dashboard templates do not compromise on functionality, ensuring that users can efficiently perform their data visualisation tasks.
8.2 Cons
- Limited free options: While it does offer free templates, the site has a more extensive collection of paid templates, which may not be ideal for those on a budget.
- May require basic Excel skills: To utilize these dashboards effectively, users may need to possess a foundational level of Excel skills.
- Limited customization: The dashboards, while visually stunning, may not offer extensive customization options for unique business needs.
9. Analysistabs Project Management Dashboard Excel Template
Analysistabs primarily focuses on offering project management dashboard templates for Excel. The dashboards are designed to support project managers in tracking, managing, and reporting project progress, making the entire process more streamlined and efficient.
9.1 Pros
- Project Management Focused: The dashboards are specifically designed for project management, making it a useful tool for project managers and teams.
- User-friendly: The templates are easy to understand and operate, facilitating a smooth user experience.
- Integration with other software: The dashboards can be integrated with other software and platforms for more efficient project management and reporting.
9.2 Cons
- Limited diversity: Dashboards available are primarily focused on project management, limiting the options for those looking for dashboards in other functional areas.
- Design aesthetics: The design and layout of the dashboards could be improved to offer a more visually appealing user experience.
- Limited advanced functionalities: Users looking for advanced features for complex project management tasks might find the dashboards insufficient.
10. Biz Infograph Sales Dashboard Template Excel
Biz Infograph focuses on providing Excel dashboard templates specifically tailored for sales tracking. Their templates help analyse and visualize sales data effectively, thus aiding decision-making processes in sales departments.
10.1 Pros
- Sales focused: The dashboard templates are specifically designed with sales data visualization in mind, making them apt for sales teams and departments.
- Data analysis support: The dashboards are not merely data presentation tools; they can also support in-depth sales data analysis.
- Ease of use: Despite being sales-specific, these dashboard templates remain user-friendly and can be easily navigated even by those with moderate Excel proficiency.
10.2 Cons
- Limited diversity: As the site focuses on sales dashboards, it may not provide suitable options for users seeking other functional dashboards.
- Design aesthetics: While functionally sound, some users may seek a more sophisticated visual design in their dashboard templates.
- May require basic understanding of sales analytics: To fully utilize these sales dashboard templates, a foundational understanding of sales data, metrics and analytics could be necessary.
11. ITSM Docs Excel Project Dashboard Template
ITSM Docs offers a project dashboard template specifically designed for Excel. The template is equipped with comprehensive functionalities to support project tracking, scheduling, and other project-related tasks, making it a valuable tool for project managers and teams.
11.1 Pros
- Comprehensive functionalities: The dashboard templates offered by ITSM Docs deliver a comprehensive array of features to fully support project management requirements.
- Project Tracking: The template excels in tracking project schedules and highlighting potential delays, aiding in proactive mitigation of project delays.
- Documentation Support: The templates also support project documentation, ensuring all relevant information is appropriately organized and stored.
11.2 Cons
- Learning Curve: Given its comprehensive functionalities, the dashboard template may present a steep learning curve, particularly for those less familiar with Excel or new to project management.
- Limited Diversity: The site, primarily offering project dashboard certificates, may not appeal to users seeking dashboards for other business functions.
- Design Aesthetics: While functionally comprehensive, some users may wish for more visually appealing designs in their dashboard templates.
12. ExcelTable EXCEL DASHBOARD TEMPLATES
ExcelTable provides a wide selection of Excel dashboard templates that are applicable to multiple industries and functional areas. It’s a resourceful site for businesses and individuals looking for a one-stop-shop for a broad spectrum of dashboard template needs.
12.1 Pros
- Wide variety of templates: ExcelTable provides a diverse array of dashboard templates, fulfilling the requirements of various industries and functional areas.
- Comprehensive descriptions: The description accompanying each template is comprehensive, providing users with a good understanding of its intended use and functionality.
- Easy to download: The template downloading process is straightforward, enhancing the overall user experience.
12.2 Cons
- Lack of aesthetic diversity: While functionally diverse, the dashboards lack aesthetic diversity and sometimes may seem visually monotonous.
- Requires knowledge of Excel: A certain level of proficiency in Excel might be required to fully leverage the capabilities of these templates.
- Minimal tutorial support: The site provides little in the way of tutorial support for users to grasp the implementation and utilization of the dashboards.
13. Summary
13.1 Overall Comparison Table
| Site | Template Count | Features | Price | Customer Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheSmallman’s Excel Dashboard | 20+ | Beginner-friendly, diverse templates | Free | Email Support |
| Smartsheet Excel Dashboard Templates | 15+ | Dynamic, project management focus | Free with Smartsheet subscription | Email, Phone, and Help Center |
| Chandoo Excel Dashboards | 25+ | Tutorials, variety of templates | Free & Paid options | Email Support and Forum |
| ExcelFind Excel Dashboard | 30+ | Diverse categories, user-friendly | Free | Email Support |
| TemplateLab Excel Dashboard Templates (+KPI Dashboards) | 100+ | KPI focused, diverse | Free | Email Support |
| ProjectManager Project Dashboard Template | 10+ | Real-time updates, comprehensive tracking | Free with ProjectManager subscription | Email, Phone, and Help Center |
| Excel Dashboard School Excel Dashboard Templates | 15+ | Aesthetic design, functionally efficient | Free & Paid options | Email Support |
| Analysistabs Project Management Dashboard Excel Template | 10+ | Comprehensive functionalities, project tracking | Free & Paid options | Email and Forum Support |
| Biz Infograph Sales Dashboard Template Excel | 10+ | Sales focused, data analysis | Free | Email Support |
| ITSM Docs Excel Project Dashboard Template | 5+ | Comprehensive functionalities, project tracking | Free & Paid options | Email Support |
| ExcelTable EXCEL DASHBOARD TEMPLATES | 50+ | Wide variety, comprehensive descriptions | Free & Paid options | Email Support |
13.2 Recommended Template Site Based on Various Needs
The recommended site would largely depend on the specific needs of an individual or a business. For beginners and those seeking simplicity, TheSmallman’s could be an ideal starting point. For project management focus, both Smartsheet and ProjectManager are excellent choices. Chandoo stands out with its educational focus through comprehensive tutorials. For sales focused visualisation, Biz Infograph provides the ideal platform. For more sophisticated users who value both functionality and visual appeal, Excel Dashboard School would be a good choice.
14. Conclusion
14.1 Final Thoughts and Takeaways for Choosing an Excel Dashboard Template Site
In conclusion, the choosing of an Excel dashboard template site largely depends on one’s specific needs and skill level. Each site evaluated here has its strengths, whether it is a wide variety of templates, sophisticated functionality, specialized focus on a certain area like sales or project management, or user-friendly interface for beginners. Therefore, evaluating your specific data visualisation needs and Excel proficiency is crucial before making a decision.
It is also important to note that advancements in digital technology are constant. Hence, these sites too are steadily growing, expanding, and improving their offerings. Therefore, it would also be beneficial to keep oneself updated with the latest tools and resources these sites provide. This would ensure that individuals and businesses continue to get the most out of their chosen Excel dashboard template site.
Author Introduction:
Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, which provides a wide range of products, including a wonderful tool to recover RAR files.