How do I pull chart data from an intake sheet to create a dashboard template in Control Center?

Alicia D

I feel like this is rather simple, but I just can not figure out how to get this started! I am trying to create my dashboard template that will be in my blueprint in control center. I am not sure if it is best to pull from the intake sheet or the portfolio summary. Regardless, I am not sure how to pull information for a template that will know exactly what line to pull from on the intake sheet for that project. For instance, when I go to add chart data in the template, it does not let me pick a column, I have to choose particular cells. But I don't see how this will translate to linking to the right project? Like I said, I think this is a very simple concept that I just can't figure out right now! I would really appreciate any help.

kowal

hi @Alicia D,

I would go with the same approach as you create widget chart data on Portfolio Summary Sheet.

It also depends what data you want to show in the chart. I normally calculate data in the Sheet Summary like: amount of project in RED health and later create report but based on Sheet Summary instead of rows… and have the chart widget based on such report.

Hope this helps.

Alicia D

@kowal thank you for the information! I think where my confusion is coming from is that how do I create a template that will pull the correct information for that project only? Obviously right now I can't pull the information of the project from the intake sheet because it is not created yet. For instance, if I wanted to put a chart in the template to show task status within the project, what would I select here from the portfolio summary?

kowal

@Alicia D yes the intake sheet only has initial data for your project to provision so no actual health of project will be visible there etc. it will be only visible in Sheet Summary etc. so based on that data you can create actual information of your projects…. if you have datamesh you can also bring some information back to intake sheet… but it's not best practice I would say.

maybe also it's a guess… you can for example copy entire row from your sheet summary into intake sheet 2 and create another blueprint.. so in blueprint2 you will have already in intake sheet the project info…

my question is: why cant you build the chart widgets based on your Sheet Summary report /?

Alicia D

@kowal , if I were to build it off the sheet summary report, what would I select? It doesn't let me select the whole column itself. I have to pick particular cells and information of existing projects. So if I am trying to create a template for a dashboard that can be used and populated with any new project that is created, it wouldn't be accurate if I have selected information from a previous project. I know once a project is started I could go and manually create widgets from the information on the summary report. But how do I set it up to a be a part of a template so that I don't have to set it up manually. I am not sure if my question is making sense, sorry about that!