Best Excel Visualizations to Show Sales Results and Projections
Overseeing sales performance and comparing it to projections is crucial for making data-driven decisions. In Microsoft Excel, various visualizations can help you effectively communicate these insights. This article explores five of the best Excel visualizations to compare week-to-date (WTD), month-to-date (MTD), and year-to-date (YTD) sales results against projections. Each section includes a description, implementation steps, and tips for effective visualization.Clustered Column Chart
Description
A clustered column chart allows you to display actual sales and projected sales side by side for each time period, including WTD, MTD, and YTD. This makes it easy to compare the performance of different periods.
Implementation
Organize your data in a table with columns for actual sales, projected sales, WTD, MTD, and YTD. Select your data and insert a clustered column chart. This will give a clear comparison for each time period.Line Chart with Markers
Description
A line chart is well-suited for showing trends over time, particularly for YTD sales. Adding markers for WTD and MTD will highlight how each time period compares to the overall trend.
Implementation
Use a line chart to plot the YTD sales over time. Overlay WTD and MTD as separate lines with different colors or markers. This allows you to clearly see how each time period fits into the larger trend.Combo Chart
Description
A combo chart combines a clustered column chart and a line chart to provide a comprehensive view of sales performance. This can be particularly useful if you want a double check on your data.
Implementation
Use columns for WTD and MTD sales. Add a line for YTD sales, along with a line for projected sales. This allows you to compare actuals and projections for each time frame visually.Bullet Chart
Description
A bullet chart clearly shows performance against a target. For each time period, the main bar represents actual sales while a marker indicates the projected sales, providing a concise view of performance.
Implementation
Create a bullet chart for each time period. The main bar should represent actual sales, while the marker indicates the projected sales. This provides a clear and concise view of performance against expectations.Dashboard
Description
If you need to display multiple visualizations, consider creating a dashboard. A dashboard can summarize key performance indicators (KPIs) and summary statistics to give a holistic view of sales performance.