Turning an Excel file into a dashboard that people can actually read is a common challenge. You have the data, but stakeholders want charts, not rows. This guide shows you how to create an Excel dashboard step by step using the Sprucely.io platform — from uploading your data to sharing an interactive dashboard with your team.
Whether you are working on project management reports, sales tracking, or financial summaries, this how-to covers the full process: data import, AI-assisted dashboard generation, customization, and sharing.
This guide will take you about 5 minutes.
Creating a Dashboard from Excel Data
We will use a sample Excel file from Sprucely.io's website to walk through the full flow. You can also use JSON or text files, or define a web stream source for live data analysis.
The flow follows the recommended way of importing data into Sprucely and generating a dashboard template automatically. Select your data source, configure the import, and let Sprucely.io build the dashboard for you. The result includes line charts, bar charts, multi-dimensional charts, and other visuals based on your data structure. You can then adjust the layout and charts as needed.
The video below gives a quick introduction to Sprucely.io and the steps needed to import data and generate a dashboard. Detailed instructions follow the video.
This video gives an introduction to Sprucely.io and how you can import data to create a Sprucely.io dashboard (1:25 mins)
Instructions:
1) Login to Sprucely.io - Open a browser and surf to www.sprucely.io. If you have not yet done so, go ahead and login.
3) Select source - We will use a web stream source for our example. Our sample Excel file is served directly from the Sprucely.io web server. In the Web Stream section, input the URL https://www.sprucely.io/supplychain.xlsx and click Connect. If you have a local file, drag and drop it from your File Explorer. Alternatively, select the file from the filesystem in the Local File section.
4) Configure source - In this step you can manually decide which data range to import from your data source. This is useful for importing a subset of the data. Use it to choose a specific sheet if your Excel document has multiple sheets. No configuration is required if you use our sample file. Sprucely.io automatically detects the ideal data range to import. Click Next to continue.
5) Configure dimensions - Give cues to Sprucely.io's insights engine and dashboard generator by setting priorities in this step. If you are using our sample file, there is no need to modify any of these settings. Click Next to continue.
6) Let AI build your dashboard - Use free-form text to describe your preferred color theme. You can also describe the layout and charts data presentation. Simply describe what you would like to see, and click Generate to have Sprucely.io's AI build it directly for you.
7) Generate dashboard - Set a title of your dashboard and click Save to generate the dashboard template. Once completed, you are automatically routed to the dashboard editor page. You can modify the dashboard if you desire.
Customizing the Dashboard
The generated dashboard is a starting point. Sprucely.io lets you customize the layout, colors, style, and data views until the dashboard matches what you need. You can swap chart types — for example, replace a bar chart with a line chart or add bubble charts to show complex data relationships.
Use drag and drop to rearrange widgets, and configure dynamic charts that update as viewers filter the data. The result is a data visualization you can use in meetings, reports, or embedded in PowerPoint presentations.
Instructions:
1) Login to Sprucely.io - Open a browser and surf to www.sprucely.io. If you have not yet done so, go ahead and login.
3) Start editor - Press the dashboard name link or click the Edit dashboard button on the same row. This proceeds to the Dashboard Editor.
4) Change layout - Use simple drag'n drop actions and layout widgets. Modify the dashboard layout exactly the way you want. You can drag new widgets to add to your dashboard from the top action toolbar. Move an existing widget simply by dragging it to the new location.
5) Color themes - Change the default color theme by selecting a pre-defined theme. You can also customize the color palette. You may also override the default theme by configuring specific colors for individual widgets. Read more about theme support.
6) Configure charts - Customize function and style for all widgets in the dashboard. Use the options in the properties sidebar. It will always show the options for the currently selected widget (click on a widget to select it). Read more about the chart wizard.
7) Save - Don't forget to click on the Save button in the top action toolbar to save your changes.
Sharing the Dashboard with Others
Sharing dashboards from Sprucely.io is straightforward. Send recipients a link by e-mail so they can view the interactive dashboard in their browser — no software install needed on their end. This is useful when stakeholders across different teams or locations need access to the same data.
Instructions:
1) Login to Sprucely.io - Open a browser and surf to www.sprucely.io. If you have not yet done so, go ahead and login.
3) Select and share - Click the checkbox for the dashboard you want to share. It is at the far right end of the row. Now, the Share button in the action toolbar will become enabled and should indicate Share (1). Click the button to proceed.
4) Select recipients - Your dashboard should be pre-selected from the previous step. Find the submit message form after the selection list. Find the E-mails field and enter at least one e-mail address you would like to send the dashboard to. Optionally, you may also enter a custom message for your recipient(s).
5) Send - Click on the Send button and Sprucely.io will take care of the rest!
Conclusion
We have shown how to create an Excel dashboard in a few steps — from uploading your file to sharing the finished product with your team. Sprucely.io automates the data import, chart generation, and layout — so you spend your time refining rather than building from scratch.
This step by step how-to covers the basics. For more on dashboard design, chart types, and layout principles, see our guide on creating a dashboard in Excel. If you want to embed your dashboard in a slide deck, follow our PowerPoint dashboard how-to. You can also browse our Excel dashboard templates for layout ideas.
Sprucely.io works with Excel files, JSON, text files, and web streams. Whether your data lives locally or in the Cloud, you can get a working interactive dashboard in minutes.
Sign up for free with Sprucely.io to get started. You can also check out our getting started guide first.
This article was first published 11th December 2025.
