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Create bar chart widgets from spreadsheets

Learn about the various configuration options available when creating bar chart widgets from your spreadsheet data.

Updated over a year ago

This guide walks you through the various options available when creating bar chart widgets from your spreadsheet data.

Cell selection for bar chart widgets

Bar chart widgets require at least:

  • 1 date / string column

  • 1 numeric column

Click drag to select the spreadsheet cells you want to visualize. You can also select entire rows and columns or enter the data range into the field.

click drag to select the cells you want to visualize

If your column or row selection included pre-populated cells your bar chart will automatically respond as you add data to your connected Google Sheet or Excel workbook.

spreadsheets bar chart widget that shows how selecting pre-populated cells can create dynamic visualizations

Refreshing your source spreadsheet

If you need to make any edits to your spreadsheet you can manually refresh it from the bottom left corner of the screen. From here you can also switch to a different sheet.

change the sheet by clicking in the bottom right corner

If your source spreadsheet is large and complex you might benefit from extracting the data you need to another spreadsheet specifically for powering your dashboard widgets. For more information, see preparing your spreadsheet for Geckoboard.

Preview your bar chart widget

Next, you'll see highlighted visualization options for your selection. Click the bar chart iconto preview how your bar chart widget will look.

When you're happy with your selection, click Continue >.

Switch to reading data in rows

By default, Geckoboard reads the data in columns. When your data series is arranged in rows, click Switch columns and rows.

Configure your bar chart widget

Visualization type

The visualization picker allows you to switch between the available options.

Widget config for bar charts built with spreadsheets

Selection contains headers

Toggle off if your first selection cells don't contain headers.

Add goal

In the Goal is field enter a value or select another single numeric value from your spreadsheet. Use the toggle to switch the shaded area from More than and Less than the goal value. Any bars that meet the goal will turn green in color.

spreadsheets bar chart widget with goal area shaded in grey

Formatting

The Formatting menu allows you to overrule the automatically set number of decimal places used, or add additional information about the values on your widget. For more information, see our guide to using the data formatting options.

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