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TOP 10 EXCELTIPS FORSUCCESS

Presented by:Mico Yuk - EverythingXcelsius.comRyan Goodman - Centigon Solutions

December 17th, 2008

Xcelsius GurusXcelsius Gurus

Xcelsius 2008Xcelsius 2008Develop robust dashboards with point and click ease.

• Set up Your Xcelsius Model5 Excel Tips5 Xcelsius Object Browser Tips

• Resources

Webinar Agenda

ExcelExcel

Connectivity

DataVisualization

BusinessProcess

Xcelsius2008

Gas DashboardGas Dashboard

Part 1 – Avoiding Excel Tetris!

Do

• Use default Tab Names• Put everything on 1 tab

Don’t

• Use standard tabs to organizeinformation

Info TabLabels TabDataContent specific tabs*Selector/Dimensions

Tip #1 – Excel Tab Names

Tip #2 – Excel Tab SetupDo Don’t

• Info TabContact InfoDashboard InfoColor Legend

• LabelsMeta DataTitles

• XML Data• Content

Can be driven by pages orindividual components

- Mix XML data tabs withcontent tabs.

- Delete tabs once componentshave been bound.

Tip #3 – Excel Tab LayoutDo Don’t

• SpacingLeave blank rows & colsAllow for vertical andhorizontal scaling

• Use Spreadsheet Formatting• Use Color Coding to identify

data type• Labels and formatting to

identify data

• Start at A1

Tip #4 – Excel Color CodingDo Don’t

• Use color to identify tabs inlarger dashboard projects

• Include a legend on the Infotab

• Use 1 standard for alldashboards

• Use different color codingstandards across dashboards.

Tip #5 - Reduce Excel OverheadDo Don’t

• Use lightweight functions likeVLOOKUP, and MATCH.

• Use a light volume of data tobe visualized.

• Load data that is displayedwithin components.

• Use parameterized queries

• Use performance impactingformulas

SumIFCountIF

• Use lots of nested IFstatements=if(A1=1,m1,1,IF(AND(IF(OR

• Load more data than requiredto visualize information.

Part 2 – Avoiding Component Jambalaya!Part 2 – Avoiding Component Jambalaya!

Tip #6 - Data ConsumptionDo Don’t

• Set max # of Rows <=2000 • Bind large data volumesChart >52 weeks

Tip #7 – Dashboard Canvas SizeDo Don’t

• Browser ConsiderationsSet resolution 900x600Works for all browsers &export formats

• Have vertical or horizontalscrollbars

Tip #8 - Object Browser HygieneDo Don’t

• KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid!)• Component Naming

Ex: Sales_Gauge1,Sales_Gauge2

• Component Grouping Naming

• Leave As Is!• Use Generic Naming

Ex: Gauge, Chart, Button• Use Long Names

Ex:2008Regional_SalesForce_StackedBarChart1

• Use Short Names that no oneunderstands

Ex: 08Reg_Sal_Chrt1• Use Same names• Use Hierarchy Groups

Cluster Groups

Tip #9 - Component JambalayaDo Don’t

• Layer Components ProperlyStep #1 – OrderStep #2 - Group

• Component Ordering options• Use Grid to control Alignment

• Group components beforeordering

• Use same componentsmultiple times when dynamicvisibility is an option

• Use 100’s of componentsEx: Create huge alert basedtableConsider building singlecustom flex component forcomplex needs

Tip #10 - Extras Guru TipsDo Don’t

• Draw before developing• Regular Backups• Format cells in Excel• Upgrade to latest service/fix

pack• Use External USB Mouse for

precision

• Keep 1 Xcelsius source file• Delete Excel tabs that are

bound to components

Oth

er R

esou

rces For more Guru tips, tricks,

news, books, training, etc.Visit: EverythingXcelsius.com

Mico Yukmico@everythingxcelsius.com

Ryan Goodmanryan@centigonsolutions.comRyanGoodman.net/blog

Centigon Solutionswww.centigonsolutions.com