Dynamic color cards for Excel dashboards are a powerful and visually engaging way to achieve effective data visualization.
These cards not only display key metrics but also change color based on specific value ranges, enhancing data interpretation and bringing insights to life. This tutorial is a part of our dashboard series.
Why Use Dynamic Color Cards?
Dynamic color cards help users:
- Quickly identify performance levels through intuitive color changes.
- Highlight critical metrics that need immediate attention.
- Enhance user engagement by adding a visually appealing, interactive layer to dashboards.
Setting Up Dynamic Color Cards
To create dynamic color cards in Excel, you need:
- Shape Objects to represent the cards.
- Conditional Logic to change colors based on value ranges.
- VBA code to automate the color changes.
How It Works
Data Input and Settings: The data table includes: Shape Numbers and Names for easy reference. Lower and upper limits are used to define the value ranges. Color 1, Color 2, and Color 3 to represent different performance levels. Actual Values linked to the metrics displayed on the cards.
Color Logic: Color 1: When the value is below the lower limit; Color 2: When the value is between the lower and upper limits; Color 3: When the value exceeds the upper limit.
VBA Automation: A VBA code checks each card’s actual value. Based on the defined ranges, the card’s background color changes dynamically. This automation ensures that the dashboard is always up-to-date with the latest data inputs.
Example Scenario
This example illustrates a scenario where different shapes are assigned specific value ranges and corresponding colors.
Each shape has:
- A unique Shape No and Shape Name (Columns A and B).
- A Lower Limit and Upper Limit that define its acceptable value range (Columns C and D).
- Three color codes (Color 1, Color 2, and Color 3) to visually indicate different conditions or statuses (Columns E, F, and G).
- An Actual Value representing the current measurement or status of each shape (Column H).
- The colors are likely used to indicate if the actual value falls below, within, or above the defined range, providing a quick visual reference for performance or status.
These color changes allow users to instantly interpret performance metrics without manually analyzing the data.
Getting Started
To implement this dynamic color card system in your Excel dashboard:
- Design the Layout: Create shape objects for each metric you want to track.
- Define Value Ranges and Colors: Set up a data table as shown in the example.
Conclusion
Dynamic color cards in Excel provide an effective and visually appealing way to monitor performance metrics. By leveraging conditional logic and VBA automation, you can transform static dashboards into interactive, insightful tools.
These dashboards not only enhance decision-making but also impress stakeholders with their modern, professional look. Ready to elevate your Excel dashboard game? Start experimenting with dynamic color cards today!