Creating a Dashboard

Welcome back! In this lesson, we will discuss how to build a dashboard from our HR
data using pivot charts, KPIs, and slicers. We will show you how to visualize the
absence rates and analyze the data at a department level to compare them with the
ideal rate.
Visualizing Absence
To begin, we need to create a sheet named "Absence Dashboard" and copy and paste the pivot table of departure rates
from the "Absence Rates" sheet. We will name this chart "OrgAbsenceRate." Then, we will remove the department and
region filters to show the organizational absence rates for the years 2022 and 2023. Create a column chart, format it for
clarity, and copy it into the dashboard.
Department Absence Rates as Proportions

We can make more sense of our data by analyzing the department absence rate as proportions. To do so, we will copy and
paste our "OrgAbsenceRate" chart and name it "DeptAbsenceRate." Drag the values field back into the column area and
drag department into the rows area. Select the 100% stacked column chart and then switch Row/Column to see the
contribution of each department to the overall absence rate. Insert series lines to show how their contributions differ
between 2022 and 2023 and copy the chart into your dashboard.
Compare Departmental Rates
with the Ideal Rate
We can now compare the departmental absence rates with the ideal rate of 1.5%.
Copy and paste the "DeptAbsenceRate" pivot table and name it "DeptAbIdeal."
Create a new measure named "Illness-related absence" with a formula of 0.015 in
your master table. Change the number format to percentage and insert a combo chart
to compare departmental absence rates with the absence baseline. Copy the chart to
your dashboard to view the data.
Markers and Data Table to
Show Results
Let's make the chart easier to read by adding markers to identify where the line
intersects with the column bars. We can also include a data table below the chart to
supplement the visualization. To do so, go to "Add Chart Element" and select "Data
Table." Choose the option with value keys and delete the data labels on the right side
of the chart. Now, you can see how absence rates have changed per department over
time and how they compare to the ideal rate all at once.
KPIs with Power Pivot
We can alternatively use Power Pivot to create key performance indicators (KPIs)
and compare departmental rates to the baseline absence rate of 1.5%. Let's set up the
KPI first. Copy and paste the "DeptAbIdeal" pivot table and rename it "DeptKPI."
Then, go to the Power Pivot tab and click on the KPI icon. Select the "DeptKPI"
pivot table and click on "New KPI." Choose "Absence Rate 2022" as the base field
and select the absence baseline measure. Use the threshold options to indicate that
falling above or below the ideal rate is not desirable.
Visual Indicators of Status
To indicate the status of the department's absence rate on our dashboard, we can adjust the size of the ranges for precision
and select different icon styles to represent where a data field falls. You can also add descriptions to the KPI if necessary.
Click OK, and now you have a new column called "Absence Rate 2022 Status" with -1 in each row representing how the
value differs from the defined ranges. In the Pivot Table Field list, select your master table, scroll down to the bottom to
find the measure with the traffic light icon. When you select the Status field, you will see icons in the table representing
how the value differs from the ideal range. Green indicates that the rate falls within the target range, amber indicates a
warning or risk, and red signifies that the rate falls far outside the target range and requires immediate attention. You can
copy and paste a part of your table with these indicators into your dashboard.
Using Slicers to Filter Data
To use the department slicer in our dashboard, select the chart and choose "Insert Slicer" from the "Analyze" section.
Select department and choose the dropdown option. Finally, select your report source and choose "Department."
Dynamic Charts with Linked Slicers
Creating an interactive and informative dashboard involves linked slicers to enable dynamic charts. Using linked slicers
allows you to create one interactive element for multiple charts. You can create linked slicers using the PivotTable tools.
First, select the chart on your dashboard and choose "Insert Slicer" from the "Analyze" section. Then select the
PivotTable field you wish to link slicers across, typically department or region. Finally, customize your slicer and copy
and paste multiple charts to apply the same slicer to all of them.
Effective Visualization
Techniques
Effective visualization techniques are about how you present information to convey a
message clearly and concisely. To achieve this, you should use a combination of
visual elements, such as color, shape, size, texture, patterns, and data ink ratios, to
express the story accurately. You should also consider the purpose of your dashboard,
know your audience, and choose the right visualization type from a broad array of
chart types, including line graphs, stacked bar graphs, pie charts, bubble charts, and
heat maps, to name a few.
Designing Eye-Catching
Dashboards
Eye-catching dashboards are those that enable users to absorb information quickly
and make sense of complex data. You can accomplish this by incorporating best
practices in dashboard design, such as using white space for clarity and simplicity,
using colors sparingly to convey emotion, designing charts and tables for immediate
comprehension, minimizing detailed text to eliminate cognitive overload, and
providing context for better interpretation of the data.
Next Steps
We hope you found these tips helpful to create an effective and engaging dashboard.
By incorporating advanced techniques such as markers, data tables, KPIs, slicers, and
dynamic charts, you can create a dashboard that provides real-time insights into your
HR data. Stay curious and keep learning to constantly refine your design and meet
the evolving needs of your stakeholders.