Smartsheet Dashboard: How to Create Visual Dashboards [2025]

Smartsheet Dashboard: How to Create Visual Dashboards [2025 Guide]

The dashboards in Smartsheet transform data from multiple spreadsheets into interactive visual dashboards. In this guide, you will learn how to create professional dashboards that impress stakeholders and facilitate decision-making.

What Are Dashboards in Smartsheet?

Dashboards are visual dashboards that aggregate information from different sources on a single screen. In Smartsheet, you can combine data from multiple spreadsheets, reports, and even external systems to create an executive view of your business.

Benefits of Dashboards

• Consolidated vision: All KPIs in one place
• Real time: Data updated automatically
• Communication: Impactful presentations for stakeholders
• Quick decisions: Visual information is processed 60,000x faster
• Sharing: Publish externally or embed on websites

Types of Available Widgets

1. Metrics Widget

Displays important numbers highlighted:

• Total tasks completed
• Sales pipeline value
• Progress percentage
• Item count by status

2. Charts Widget

View data in different formats:

• Bars: Comparison between categories
• Lines: Trends over time
• Pizza: Percentage distribution
• Donut: Proportions with central emphasis

3. Report Widget

Embed reports directly into the dashboard:

• To-do lists
• Late Items
• Recent activities

4. Image/Video Widget

Add visual elements:

• Company logo
• Infographics
• Explanatory videos

5. Title/Rich Text Widget

Add context and formatting:

• Section titles
• Instructions
• Important links

6. Shortcut Widget

Quick links to resources:

• Related Worksheets
• Input forms
• Other dashboards

How to Create Your First Dashboard

Step 1: Create the Dashboard

1. Go on Home in the side menu
2. Click Create > Dashboard
3. Give a descriptive name (ex: “Dashboard Projects Q4”)

Step 2: Add Widgets

1. Click on the icon + or Add Widget
2. Choose the type of widget you want
3. Configure the data source (spreadsheet or report)
4. Customize colors and formatting

Step 3: Organize the Layout

• Drag widgets to reposition
• Resize by dragging the edges
• Use the grid for perfect alignment
• Group related information

Step 4: Customize Visual

• Choose colors that reflect your brand
• Add your company logo
• Use clear and objective titles
• Keep the design clean and focused

Step 5: Share

• Share internally: Add collaborators with permissions
• Publish externally: Generate public URL for stakeholders
• Incorporate: Use embed code on internal websites

5 Essential Dashboards for Companies

1. Project Dashboard

Recommended widgets:

• Metric: Total active projects
• Bar chart: Projects by status
• Report: Next Milestones
• Metric: Overall Completion %

2. Sales Dashboard

Recommended widgets:

• Metric: Total pipeline (R$)
• Funnel Chart: Opportunities by Stage
• Line graph: Sales vs monthly target
• Report: Deals to close this week

3. Marketing Dashboard

Recommended widgets:

• Metric: Leads generated in the month
• Graph: Leads by channel
• Report: Active Campaigns
• Metric: Cost per lead

4. HR Dashboard

Recommended widgets:

• Metric: Current headcount
• Chart: Employees by department
• Report: Open vacancies
• Metric: Monthly turnover

5. Executive Dashboard

Recommended widgets:

• Metrics: Key KPIs (revenue, customers, NPS)
• Charts: Quarterly Trends
• Traffic light: Status of strategic initiatives
• Links: Detailed dashboards by area

Good Practices for Dashboards

Design

• Less is more: Focus on the most important KPIs
• Visual hierarchy: Highlight critical information
• Consistency: Use the same color palette
• Blank space: Don’t overload the look

Data

• Single source of truth: Avoid duplicate data
• Automatic update: Use formulas and links
• Context: Add comparisons (vs target, vs previous period)
• Granularity: Allow drill-down for details

Sharing

• Right audience: Different dashboards for different levels
• Permissions: Control who can edit vs view
• Feedback: Collect user opinions

Advanced Dashboard Features

AI-powered graphics (New for 2025)

Smartsheet now offers AI-generated graphics that analyze your data and suggest the best visualizations automatically.

Dynamic Filters

Allow users to filter data directly in the dashboard without changing the source.

Custom Themes

Apply the company’s visual identity with customized color themes.

Secure Embedding

Embed dashboards in internal portals while maintaining data security.

Need Help with Dashboards?

A TaskIT specializes in creating executive dashboards in Smartsheet. We can help you:

• Define the most relevant KPIs for your business
• Create visual and impactful dashboards
• Connect multiple data sources
• Train your team to maintain dashboards

Related Articles

• Smartsheet Reports
• Complete Smartsheet Tutorial
• Essential Smartsheet Functions
• Smartsheet Automations
• Power BI + Smartsheet integration

Summary for decision

Smartsheet Dashboard: indicators that executives can use

A Smartsheet dashboard must translate operational data into decisions: status, risks, deadlines, bottlenecks, responsible parties and trends. The value is not in putting lots of graphs on the screen, but in connecting each visual to a management question.

Choice criteria

1. Define the audience: board, manager, PMO or operation.
2. Choose a few indicators that guide the decision.
3. Connect widgets to reliable and up-to-date reports.
4. Separate executive status from operational details.
5. Review whether each chart leads to a clear action.

Practical comparison

Indicator	Question answered	Usage
Status by project	What is on schedule or at risk?	Executive prioritization.
Delays and blocks	Where to act first?	Removal of impediments.
Charge per person responsible	Who is overloaded?	Work balancing.
Pending approvals	What stops the flow?	Objective charging.

FAQ

What to put on a Smartsheet dashboard?

Place indicators that answer decision questions: status, risk, deadline, person responsible, blocking and next action.

Does the dashboard need to be beautiful?

It needs to be clear. Design helps, but data reliability and decision focus are more important.

Does TaskIT create dashboards?

Yes. TaskIT designs reports and dashboards connected to the company’s real process.

Related content: Smartsheet Consulting | Control Center | How to use Smartsheet

Last updated: May 2026.