Create an Excel Dashboard to Easily Track Budget and Actuals with Variances @LeilaGharani
Create an Excel Dashboard to Easily Track Budget and Actuals with Variances  @LeilaGharani
Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Get Zebra BI-Pro for free for 30 days: bit.ly/3GjXFKV

In this step-by-step Excel tutorial, we'll create a dynamic and interactive Excel dashboard from scratch. We'll be comparing Actuals to Budget and Previous year data. The Actual data is on another sheet in an Excel table and it has a different structure so we have to use an Excel formula that enables us to lookup values in three different columns and match them so we can find the correct row. You can use different formulas. I used XLOOKUP but you can also use Index and Match (youtu.be/ontXHp9cwOQ) in case you don't have XLOOKUP. Our next challenge is to bring over budget data from another sheet. This time we have to match the rows and the columns. Again, you can use Index Match or XLOOKUP (I show the XLOOKUP approach).

โฌ‡๏ธ DOWNLOAD the workbook here: pages.xelplus.com/actual-budget-file

I also show you how add a drop-down for months and use a formula to grab the current year.

Then I move on to variance calculations (percentage change). Once we have the information we create a column chart to compare actual and previous year data and also add Excel bar charts to show the variance. We make sure that positive values (bars) are in green and negative bars are in red. We do this dynamically of course using "invert if negative" feature of Excel charts. Lots to cover, so get ready to transform your understanding of actual sales, budget figures, and variances into a visually stunning and informative dashboard.

๐ŸŒ Join 400,000+ professionals in our courses: xelplus.com/courses

๐Ÿ” What you'll discover:
โ–ถ Excel Dashboard Design: Receive detailed, step-by-step instructions on crafting an automatically updating sales dashboard.
โ–ถ Data Management in Excel: Learn effective techniques for extracting data from various sources and establishing intuitive user selections.
โ–ถ Advanced Excel Functions: Gain proficiency in XLOOKUP and other critical Excel functions for precise data analysis.
โ–ถ Variance Analysis: Understand the methods to calculate and visually present data variances.
Excel Chart Visualizations: Acquire skills in adding dynamic column charts for a compelling visual data interpretation.

โžก๏ธ Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCJtUOos_MwJa_Ewii-R3cJA/join

00:00 How to Setup an Interactive Dashboards in Excel from Scratch
00:53 Setup of Data
02:20 Drop-Down for Month Selection
07:49 Calculate Variance Actual to Previous Year/Budget
09:37 Add Visual Insights
14:00 Zebra BI Add-in
21:34 Wrap Up

๐ŸŽฌ LINKS to related videos:
How to Lock Cells ๐Ÿ”’in Excel: youtu.be/8ibe27Zuf0A
Calculate Percentages the Right Way in Excel: youtu.be/UN5PckRADyQ

โžก๏ธ Join this channel to get access to perks: youtube.com/channel/UCJtUOos_MwJa_Ewii-R3cJA/join

๐Ÿ‘•โ˜• Get the Official XelPlus MERCH: xelplus.creator-spring.com

๐ŸŽ“ Not sure which of my Excel courses fits best for you? Take the quiz: xelplus.com/course-quiz

๐ŸŽฅ RESOURCES I recommend: xelplus.com/resources

๐ŸšฉLetโ€™s connect on social:
Instagram: instagram.com/lgharani
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/xelplus

This description contains affiliate links, which means at no additional cost to you, we will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using the links. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

#Excel
Create an Excel Dashboard to Easily Track Budget and Actuals with VariancesStop Doing Extra Work in Excel! (8 Hidden Features)Stop Using Bullet Points (Do This Instead)I Replaced My Pivot Tables with 2 New Functions | GROUPBY & PIVOTBYThe Secret to Interactive Power BI Dashboards in PowerPoint10 FREE Excel Add Ins to Boost Your Productivity5 Cool Websites When You Are Bored (Watching Free Movies Included ๐Ÿฟ)10 Copilot Chat Prompts I Use Every WeekStop Copy-Pasting! Append Data in 5 Seconds โšกHow to Use VSTACK  HSTACK in Excel #shortsQuestions youve been asking me (marriage, Excel dying, AI, VBA)How To Use the new Excel TEXTBEFORE & TEXTAFTER Functions to Save Time on Your Next ProjectStop Scrolling! 4 Pro Ways to Navigate Excel
Leila Gharani |

Create an Excel Dashboard to Easily Track Budget and Actuals with Variances

SHARE TO X SHARE TO REDDIT SHARE TO FACEBOOK WALLPAPER