In this guide, we'll cover how to create a connection with your Excel file or Google Sheets. If you'd like to connect your account directly, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive for Business, and SharePoint connections are available.
Alternatively, if your file is hosted on one of these platforms but you don't want to connect the entire account, you can connect via a link to the file if you prefer.
Connect your Dropbox, OneDrive, or SharePoint account
If you're using OneDrive for Business or SharePoint, you may need to have an admin grant permissions to use external apps like Geckoboard.
To connect your account directly and get access to all of your Excel files or Google Sheets, follow these steps:
Click + Add widget and select the Spreadsheets data source.
Click the platform where your data lives: Dropbox, OneDrive, or SharePoint.
Follow the prompts on screen to connect your account with Geckoboard.
Connect your Google Drive account
Follow the steps below to connect your account directly and access spreadsheets in Google Drive. Depending on whether you are connecting for the first time and when you are creating the connection, different steps may be required. To verify if you have any existing Google Sheets connections, visit your Connections page.
For accounts that connected Google Drive prior to July 31st, 2025
If you have connected prior to this date and you still have any connections on your account, please follow this set of steps:
Click + Add widget and select the Spreadsheets data source.
Click Google Drive.
Follow the prompts on screen to connect your account with Geckoboard.
For accounts connecting Google Drive after July 31st, 2025
If you have never connected Google Drive, or have removed any legacy connections, and connect after this date, follow these steps:
Click + Add widget and select the Spreadsheets data source.
Click the Google Drive icon.
In the modal that appears, select the Google account you wish to connect, or sign in if prompted.
Confirm that you will allow Geckoboard access to account info as shown below:
On the next screen, decide whether to grant permissions to the Geckoboard app to proceed with the connection.
As shown below, the
See, edit, create, and delete only the specific Google Drive files you use with this appbox must be checked in order to access your files within the Geckoboard app.
Once connected, you'll be returned to the Geckoboard window, where you can click the Select file button.
In the File Picker modal that appears, search for and click the specific spreadsheet you wish to connect to and visualize data from, then click Select.
Connect via a direct link to the file
If you'd like to connect a spreadsheet using a direct link rather than connecting your entire account, you'll first need to generate the share link to use within Geckoboard.
In most cases, you'll need to make sure your spreadsheet file is publicly available so it can be accessed, with permissions set to Anyone with the link or the equivalent.
Why you might prefer to connect using a direct link
All Account owners and Admin members who are part of your Geckoboard account have access to all data sources connected to it.
This means when you connect Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint to Geckoboard, the spreadsheets within that account can be used to create widgets by all Account owners and Admins that belong to your Geckoboard account.
If you have spreadsheet files within your Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or SharePoint account that you do not want shared with other team members, you should use the method described in this guide and create share links for your files and connect using the link-to-file method.
Dropbox
Open the spreadsheet file you’d like to share, then click Share.
In the dropdown, click Share with Dropbox.
Click the settings icon.
In the modal that appears, click the Link for viewing tab.
In the Who has access section, set it to Anyone with the link.
Make sure all other options (Require password, Expiration, Disable downloads) are turned off.
Leaving any of these on will prevent Geckoboard from accessing your sheet.
Click Copy link.
Switch to Geckoboard, then paste your share link into the Link to file field.
Google Drive
Click the Share button in the top right-hand corner.
Set your spreadsheet file to be visible to Anyone with the link.
Click Copy link to copy your sharing link.
Switch to Geckoboard, then paste your share link into the Link to file field.
OneDrive for Business or SharePoint
OneDrive Personal is not currently supported for hosting .xlsx files, as Microsoft does not offer downloadable files through a share link for this platform.
Select your spreadsheet file, click Share, then select Copy link.
Then click Settings.
Scroll down to the More settings drop-down and open it.
Set the permission to Can edit, then click Apply.
Select Copy link again if needed.
Switch to Geckoboard, then paste your share link into the Link to file field.
