Report or Dashboard?

Jenn123

I have information in different sheets that are listed on this excel file. I want to replicate the excel file in Smartsheets, how do I do this? Would I be able to change colors? Would I be able to enter blank fields to type into?

SFL-593_Rev B Project Release_Template.xlsx

Jenn123

Thank you, I will try this out!

jmyzk_cloudsmart_jp

Hi @Jenn123

It sounds like you want to recreate your Excel layout in Smartsheet. Here's how I recommend approaching it:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/publish?EQBCT=7a1e303d906b4846b82529dfefc0d21f

Points:

1. Your Excel file has several different tables
   (like "BASIC CONTRACT INFORMATION," "CONTRACT DELIVERABLES," "SHIPPING INFORMATION," etc.).
   Instead of creating separate sheets, I recommend combining these sections into a single Smartsheet, where each row represents one customer/project/release.
2. Understand Smartsheet Structure:
   • Smartsheet’s table looks like Excel, but it is fundamentally a database format.
   • Each column expects a specific type (Text/Number, Date, Contact List, Dropdown, etc.).
   • Structuring your data cleanly (one record per row, consistent columns) will make it much easier to work with in projects, reporting, automation, and dashboards.
3. Use Reports to Extract Specific Views:
   • Create Smartsheet Reports to select only the columns you want for each section view.
   • Example: Create a report for "Basic Contract Information 1" (showing fields like Customer, Proposal No, Contract No, etc.) and another report for "Basic Contract Information 2" (Contract No, PoP Start, PoP End, etc.).
   • These reports dynamically pull from your combined master sheet.
4. Display Reports in a Dashboard:
   • In your Smartsheet Dashboard, embed the reports to visually replicate your Excel layout.
   • Group the sections nicely ("Basic Info 1," "Basic Info 2," etc.), and format colors and fonts to match your original style.
5. Enable Easy Updates:
   • Set the dashboard widgets so that when users click a section, it opens the report for editing.
   • This keeps your process simple, and users can easily update the right fields without having to search through the full sheet.
6. Create Separate Dashboard Packages for Each Customer:
   • To create separate dashboards for different customers or projects:
     • Create a folder containing the reports and dashboard related to one customer/project.
     • Copy the entire folder to make a package for the next customer.
     • Adjust the report filters inside the copied folder to show the new customer's data.
     • You can also use a Metric Sheet to display values like Project No - Rev and Project Release Date in the dashboard.
     • Be sure to include the metric sheet inside the folder package, too.
7. Alternative Option - Power Apps (if using Office 365):
   • If you're working in an Office 365 environment, you could consider Power Apps as another option.
   • Power Apps allows you to:
     • Pull separate Excel tables.
     • It lets users view, edit, and submit data easily through a form or app interface.
     • Build more customizable and mobile-friendly solutions compared to a standard Smartsheet dashboard.

*3

select only the columns you want for each section view

*6

Adjust the report filters inside the copied folder to show the new customer's data.

Jenn123

Thank you, I will try this out!