This article will help you prepare your spreadsheet before connecting to Geckoboard using our Spreadsheets data source. Geckoboard supports two spreadsheet formats:
Google Sheets
Excel files with the .xlsx file type. Other Excel file types are not supported (.xls, .xlsm, etc.)
🙏 Do you want help bringing your spreadsheet data to life? Don't hesitate to contact our support team. We can help advise on the organization and layout of your data, as well as the steps for building dashboards.
How Geckoboard connects to your spreadsheet
Geckoboard widgets are tied directly to specific cells in your file, and there are some important points to keep in mind about this:
When data in those cells change, your widgets will update automatically.
If you move cells, columns, or rows around in your spreadsheet, whatever ends up in the original location will be displayed on your chart.
If you add cells, columns, or rows into your spreadsheet, it’s possible that your data will shift.
You can select entire columns or rows in Geckoboard, and any new data added to that range will automatically be added to your charts.
Example of how data can shift
Here is a Column Chart with a data selection of A2:C5
Now, imagine that you add three rows to the spreadsheet above the selected data:
Notice how the data has shifted down three rows:
The result is that the Geckoboard chart still uses the original A2:C5 selection, and there is no data to display.
Clean your data
Data cleaning refers to removing or replacing incomplete, duplicate, or irrelevant data. It also means " tidying up” the existing data by verifying the accuracy of the number and text formatting. This is essential to maintaining the integrity of the information you want to leverage on your dashboards.
Check your text and number formats
Geckoboard will pick up and use the text and number formatting in each cell of your spreadsheet. The formatting directly influences the types of charts you can build.
These formats include:
Text (strings)
Number
Date
DateTime
Currency
Percentage
👀 If the values of your data in Geckoboard do not display how you expect, start by verifying that the formatting has been accurately set using the spreadsheet’s formatting menu.
Examples of number, percentage, and text formatting of the same value
Be especially mindful when formatting currencies and percentage values. Ensure these are defined and consistent throughout your file.
Examples of plain text, date, and datetime formatting of the same value
The text “October 31, 2026 10:30 AM” is written out in each row, and only the formatting of the cell is changed:
Most importantly, be consistent with your date format. If one format does not display how you want on your dashboard, try changing to another date format.
Organize your tables and calculations
Keeping your data organized is essential, and there are a few important steps to help Geckoboard interpret your data accurately and precisely.
When working with tables of data or pivot tables:
Limit Headings to 1 row/column for each Table or data range.
Remove sub-headings.
Move Totals and Subtotals away from the table and into a separate location.
Avoid multiple headings and totals in your table:
Keep one heading row and move totals away from the table:
When working with individual calculated metrics:
Perform calculations in a separate area, away from your raw data.
Set the number formatting for the calculated cell(s).
Advanced layout option
A good practice is to separate your formulas and calculated metrics from your raw data. One recommended option is to create a Geckoboard-specific worksheet tab to connect to your dashboard.
Add formulas or pivot tables to create metrics in the Geckoboard-specific tab.
Keep the metrics separate from the raw data.
You can continue using the original worksheet tab as you always have.
Example of raw sales data (transactions):
Geckoboard-specific tab calculating metrics using the transaction data:
Connect your Geckoboard-specific sheet
With your sheet optimized for Geckoboard, you're all set to turn your data into an easy-to-understand dashboard.