Michael Alexander & John Walkenbach 
Excel Dashboards and Reports 

Learn to use Excel dashboards and reports to better
conceptualize data

Updated for all the latest features and capabilities of
Excel 2013, this go-to resource provides you with in-depth coverage
of the individual functions and tools that can be used to
create compelling Excel reports. Veteran author Michael
Alexander walks you through the most effective ways to present and
report data. Featuring a comprehensive review of a wide array of
technical and analytical concepts, this essential guide helps you
go from reporting data with simple tables full of dull numbers to
presenting key information through the use of high-impact,
meaningful reports and dashboards that will wow management both
visually and substantively.

* Details how to analyze large amounts of data and report the
results in a way that is both visually attractive and
effective

* Describes how to use different perspectives to achieve better
visibility into data, as well as how to slice data into various
views on the fly

* Shows how to automate redundant reporting and analysis
processes

* Walks you through creating impressive dashboards, eye-catching
visualizations, and real-world What-If analyses

Excel Dashboards and Reports, Second Edition is part
technical manual, part analytical guidebook, and exactly what you
need to become your organization’s dashboard dynamo!

Table of Content

Introduction 1

PART I: Getting Started with Excel Dashboards

Chapter 1: Introducing Dashboards 11

Chapter 2: Table Design Best Practices 29

Chapter 3: Using Excel Sparklines 47

Chapter 4: Chartless Visualization Techniques 61

PART II: Introducing Charts into Your Dashboards

Chapter 5: Excel Charting for the Uninitiated 89

Chapter 6: Working with Chart Series 107

Chapter 7: Formatting and Customizing Charts 131

Chapter 8: Components That Show Trending 171

Chapter 9: Components That Group Data 193

Chapter 10: Components That Show Performance Against a Target
209

PART III: Advanced Dashboarding Concepts

Chapter 11: Developing Your Data Model 225

Chapter 12: Adding Interactive Controls to Your Dashboard
247

Chapter 13: Macro-Charged Reporting 265

PART IV: Pivot Table Driven Dashboards

Chapter 14: Using Pivot Tables 281

Chapter 15: Using Pivot Charts 311

Chapter 16: Adding Interactivity with Slicers 329

Chapter 17: Using the Internal Data Model and Power View 343

PART V: Working with the Outside World

Chapter 18: Integrating External Data into Excel Reporting
365

Chapter 19: Sharing Your Work with the Outside World 381

Index 399

About the author

Michael Alexander is a Microsoft MVP who has written
several books on advanced business analysis with Access and Excel,
including 101 Ready-To-Use Excel Macros and the Access
2013 Bible. A consultant and developer, he offers workshops and
webinars through www.datapigtechnologies.com.

John Walkenbach, aka Mr. Spreadsheet, has written
hundreds of articles and over 50 books, including multiple editions
of the bestselling Excel Bible. He also created the
award-winning Power Utility Pak.