5 Reasons You SHOULDN'T USE EXCEL To Build Dashboards

In this video, I explain why you shouldn't build interactive dashboards in Excel
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[@josuemejiasvaglio1947]

As a Business Analyst working for a FANG company I have to say that there are instances where Excel can be quite useful for a certain scale of dashboards. For example when you deal with database access restrictions(SQL) but have access to exporting the raw data. (Sounds weird but believe me if you’re starting in a big company permissions are a pain to go through) I’ve built two Excel Dashboards automated with VBA / Power Query and shared via Excel Online in SharePoint. It’s a Weekly update concept where I have to upload the updated file to SharePoint (SharePoint replaces the file if it has the same name). But since all I do is to download the latest data, run a VBA routine and upload the file(5mins total), for a medium scale dataset but impactful KPI indicator in the department it’s a very awesome product. Don’t count it out for instances like these. But if you do have the access to the database for real time refreshed data then just use PowerBi, QuickSight, Tableau or whatever you’re experienced with. Cheers

[@LearnBI]

I get where you’re coming from and I do understand the Data governance issues at larger corporations. I’ve worked at a large tech company in SF on projects for some of the largest brands on the planet. All using BI tools because they were fed up of creating and receiving reports in Excel. We always found a solution that suited their data security protocols. Would you still use Excel if you didn’t have to? Or would you use a BI tool specifically built for creating dashboards?

[@vaughngaminghd]

Thanks for the tips Adam… So helpful for someone like me who's just starting out!

[@LearnBI]

You’re welcome!

[@Victroll47]

TOP quality content, wish all Content Creators worked like this. Keep on the good work Adam

[@LearnBI]

Thanks!

[@pauliuspariokas3156]

Excellent video. I wouldn't dismiss Excel altohether. In its defence, it does have the awesome Power Query Feature which allows connecting to various data sources. To quote from Microsoft "Power Query lets you analyze your data right from within Excel, while seamlessly connecting to a wide range of external data sources. Easily reshape and transform your data along the way if needed"

[@LearnBI]

Like I say, I love Excel. But it's still a question of "square pegs and round holes" when it comes to Excel being used for interactive dashboards IMO

[@tascrphs]

Must admit it's been quite awhile since i've seen KZbinrs brutalized by another KZbinr. Especially popular ones everyone knows. It's like hey, that's my neighbor. Strange, but hilarious. Great post btw, I may take you up on the Learn Bi course in the not too distant future.

[@LearnBI]

I must admit that I totally disagree with your assessment that I have in any way ‘brutalized’ other KZbinrs in this video. I simply give my opinion on excel being the wrong tool for interactive dashboards, which is absolutely is.

[@Hotdads1]

@@LearnBI I have built fairly comprehensive dashboards in Excel that are completely dynamic and professional. To be fair, I asked for Power BI or Tableau and was basically told no. I think the right tool is the one you have access to. Learn to use it to its full capability even if it's not the best tool to use in certain instances. Overall I do get where your coming from and mostly agree with your points!

[@v3r0x]

Bullshit. When u started a dashboard on the wrong granularity/ aggregation you fucked up already and have to rebuild later on anyway - doesnt matter if excel ir any other "tool". Going down in granularity is hard, going up is not for most DBs (or Excel). What u mention is frontends anyway and often more than a joke for serious jobs or Master data harmonization, hierarchy builing, etc Excel is crap, but sometimes i think PowerBI or all other Tools are so over the top. In the end all a business wants is a dataset that is updated. Having the automation going AND be able to self graph from the the tool he knows and can manipulate is worth much. Thats why i like raw queries in Analysis for Office and automation in Thinkcell. DWH guy happy - Business guy happy.