From Excel to Dashboard: Process Automation in Controlling

Excel is the most widely used tool in accounting and controlling. And at the same time the most misused. If your monthly reporting consists of a dozen linked Excel files that only one person understands, you have a problem. Live dashboards can solve this problem – and take the process to the next level.

Why Excel Falls Short in Controlling

Excel is fantastic for ad-hoc analyses and small datasets. But for regular reporting, it has serious drawbacks: manual data entry is error-prone and time-consuming. Linked files break with structural changes. There is no version control – who changed what and when? The display is static – no drill-downs, no real-time filters. And the biggest risk: when the Excel expert leaves the company, no one understands the formulas anymore.

What Live Dashboards Do Better

A well-designed dashboard solves most Excel problems: automatic data connections to your source systems (ERP, accounting, CRM). Real-time updates instead of monthly manual refreshes. Interactive visualizations with drill-down functionality. Single source of truth instead of dozens of Excel versions. Role-based access – everyone sees what they need to see. Management gets the KPI overview, the controller can dive into details.

The Path from Excel to Dashboard

The transition does not happen overnight. A proven approach: identify your most important reports and KPIs. Define data sources and update frequency. Choose the right technology – Power BI, Tableau, Metabase, or a custom web solution. Build a prototype for the most critical report. Gather feedback and iterate. Roll out the dashboard gradually to additional areas.

Custom Dashboard Solutions

Not every company needs Power BI. Sometimes a tailored web application is the better choice – leaner, more affordable, and precisely fit to your needs. As a developer and accounting expert in one person, I design and build dashboard solutions that are not only technically solid but also functionally represent what your controlling truly needs. Let us discuss in a free initial consultation what the future of your reporting can look like.