Creating a Data Dashboard
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We are bombarded daily with tons of data. One way to make sense of it all is to build a data dashboard. On this page you will learn how you can create a Data Dashboard using Google Sheets and Charts.
We are bombarded daily with tons of data. One way to make sense of it all is to build a data dashboard. On this page you will learn how you can create a Data Dashboard using Google Sheets and Charts.
Why You Should Use A Data Dashboard
Why You Should Use A Data Dashboard
1. Knowing our data can help us with implementing change.
1. Knowing our data can help us with implementing change.
2. Data dashboards put all of our important data in one location so it is easy to share with our stakeholders.
2. Data dashboards put all of our important data in one location so it is easy to share with our stakeholders.
3. Data dashboards can be made public so we are transparent with our data.
3. Data dashboards can be made public so we are transparent with our data.
4. Dashboards help visualize our data.
4. Dashboards help visualize our data.
Examples of Data Dashboards
Examples of Data Dashboards
How to make a Data Dashboard
How to make a Data Dashboard
Before You Start
Before You Start
1. Create a list of data that you want to track. As you create your list try and think about what big initiatives you are tracking this school year.
1. Create a list of data that you want to track. As you create your list try and think about what big initiatives you are tracking this school year.
2. Keep in mind how often your data will change. SBAC scores are great to track but they are only updated once a year. Similarly tracking daily attendance can be overwhelming. Think about how often you will need to update your dashboard.
2. Keep in mind how often your data will change. SBAC scores are great to track but they are only updated once a year. Similarly tracking daily attendance can be overwhelming. Think about how often you will need to update your dashboard.
2. Select a medium to create your dashboard in. You can use Google Sites, Google Slides, Google Docs, or Google Sheets. I personally like Google sites because I can include my dashboard as part of a larger site with more information for students/staff/parents.
2. Select a medium to create your dashboard in. You can use Google Sites, Google Slides, Google Docs, or Google Sheets. I personally like Google sites because I can include my dashboard as part of a larger site with more information for students/staff/parents.
Creating the Dashboard from Scratch
Creating the Dashboard from Scratch
1. Create a new Google Sheet by clicking here.
1. Create a new Google Sheet by clicking here.
2. Import your data into the sheet using the import feature.
2. Import your data into the sheet using the import feature.
3. Use the Google Sheet Chart creator to create a chart of your data.
3. Use the Google Sheet Chart creator to create a chart of your data.
4. Customize how your chart looks visually by opening up the chart editor.
4. Customize how your chart looks visually by opening up the chart editor.
5. Place your chart into your dashboard medium. If you are using a Google Site, Google Slide or Google Doc as your dashboard medium you can insert the chart from the insert menu.
5. Place your chart into your dashboard medium. If you are using a Google Site, Google Slide or Google Doc as your dashboard medium you can insert the chart from the insert menu.
6. Make sure that you link the chart to the spreadsheet. Linking the chart will allow you to quickly update the chart if you use a Google Slide or Doc to build your dashboard. You do not have to worry about this if you use a Google Site or Sheet as your dashboard medium.
6. Make sure that you link the chart to the spreadsheet. Linking the chart will allow you to quickly update the chart if you use a Google Slide or Doc to build your dashboard. You do not have to worry about this if you use a Google Site or Sheet as your dashboard medium.
Free Templates You Can Use
Free Templates You Can Use
If you do not want to start from scratch below are three templates that you can use. To use a template click on the links below. You will then be forced to make a copy.
If you do not want to start from scratch below are three templates that you can use. To use a template click on the links below. You will then be forced to make a copy.
10 Quick Suggestions
10 Quick Suggestions
1. Come up with a fun name so people immediately know what you are talking about when you talk about it. This can be done by the person creating the dashboard or by polling the staff.
1. Come up with a fun name so people immediately know what you are talking about when you talk about it. This can be done by the person creating the dashboard or by polling the staff.
2. Make sure you keep your dashboard up to date. If you do not update your dashboard people will have no reason to visit it.
2. Make sure you keep your dashboard up to date. If you do not update your dashboard people will have no reason to visit it.
3. Don't be afraid to say "Let's check the dashboard" when people ask about data. When you first implement this idea you need to give people a reason to check out the dashboard. Forcing them to go to the dashboard to retrieve information will expose them to the larger dashboard and how helpful it can be.
3. Don't be afraid to say "Let's check the dashboard" when people ask about data. When you first implement this idea you need to give people a reason to check out the dashboard. Forcing them to go to the dashboard to retrieve information will expose them to the larger dashboard and how helpful it can be.
4. If you already have a class/school/staff website consider using a Google Slide Show to host your dashboard. On most website building platforms you can embed a copy of your Google Slides dashboard.
4. If you already have a class/school/staff website consider using a Google Slide Show to host your dashboard. On most website building platforms you can embed a copy of your Google Slides dashboard.
5. Use Incognito or another account to make sure all of your graphs are visible before sharing your dashboard.
5. Use Incognito or another account to make sure all of your graphs are visible before sharing your dashboard.
6. Be flexible with what you include on your dashboard. What starts out as an important metric may quickly become insignificant over time.
6. Be flexible with what you include on your dashboard. What starts out as an important metric may quickly become insignificant over time.
7. Customize your chart colors. The easiest color scheme to use is your school colors.
7. Customize your chart colors. The easiest color scheme to use is your school colors.
8. Keep the KISS method in mind. Try building templates in Sheets where you can easily add your new data. You do not want to recreate the wheel every time you add data.
8. Keep the KISS method in mind. Try building templates in Sheets where you can easily add your new data. You do not want to recreate the wheel every time you add data.
9. ALWAYS link your charts to a spreadsheet. This will make updating your charts as easy as clicking a button.
9. ALWAYS link your charts to a spreadsheet. This will make updating your charts as easy as clicking a button.
10. Remember the dashboard is also for you. Make use of it and let people know you are using it! Modeling is a great way to get buy in.
10. Remember the dashboard is also for you. Make use of it and let people know you are using it! Modeling is a great way to get buy in.
