Advanced
60 mins
Teacher/Student led
+80 XP
Pupils work on their own device

A Dashboard on One Screen

Today you assemble three headline figures, at least one chart and a drop-down on one screen so a busy reader can grasp your survey story quickly. Then protect the sheet and create a view-only link for sharing next lesson.

Teacher Class Feed

Load previous activity

    1 - Introduction ~5 mins

    Welcome

    Illustration for IntroductionPut your survey on one screen: headlines, a chart, and a drop-down that drives the figures. Then lock the formulas and park a view-only link for next lesson.

    By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

    • Build headlines, a chart and a drop-down on one screen
    • Link the drop-down to the figures readers see first
    • Protect formulas and share a view-only link

    Warm-up

    If the principal had thirty seconds on your sheet, what three numbers should jump out first?

    2 - Key Concepts ~5 mins

    ConceptWhy it mattersExample
    Dashboard: one screen that answers the main question at a glanceBusy readers will not hunt through six sheetsA principal with thirty seconds who only needs how TY get to school
    Headline figures: three large numbers that lead the eyeThe first numbers people see shape the storyCount, average minutes, average rating for the transport they pick
    Sheet protection: locks cells so formulas cannot be typed overUnlock the pick cell first, or the drop-down freezesUnlock B3 before you protect the sheet, or the transport list locks
    View-only link: others can look but not changeYou can show the dashboard without risking editsShare as Can view or Viewer, paste the URL in B10 for the findings note

    3 - Step-by-step Task: One-screen Sample Dashboard ~22 mins

    Build {{code:09_dashboard}} on the getting-to-school sample: helper table, drop-down headlines, one chart, protect, and a parked view-only link. Follow your spreadsheet app below.

    Before you start

    • Open {{code:02_survey_analysis}}. The guided build reads the {{code:sample_data}} sheet you made in lesson 7: Response, Class, Transport, Minutes, Cost_per_week, Would_cycle and Journey_rating in columns A to G.
    • No {{code:sample_data}} sheet? Add one and paste the sample below at {{cell:A1}}.
    • Your own data comes in the Portfolio Build, once the dashboard works on the sample.
    Response	Class	Transport	Minutes	Cost_per_week	Would_cycle	Journey_rating
    1	TY1	Bus	25	12	Maybe	3
    2	TY1	Walk	10	0	No	4
    3	TY1	Car	15	0	Yes	3
    4	TY1	Bus	40	15	No	2
    5	TY1	Cycle	12	0	Yes	5
    6	TY1	Walk	8	0	No	5
    7	TY1	Train	45	25	No	2
    8	TY1	Car	20	0	Maybe	3
    9	TY2	Bus	30	12	Yes	2
    10	TY2	Walk	15	0	Maybe	4
    11	TY2	Bus	35	15	No	2
    12	TY2	Car	10	0	Yes	4
    13	TY2	Cycle	18	0	Yes	4
    14	TY2	Bus	20	10	Maybe	3
    15	TY2	Car	25	0	No	3
    16	TY2	Walk	5	0	No	5
    17	TY3	Bus	50	15	No	1
    18	TY3	Train	40	20	Maybe	2
    19	TY3	Car	12	0	Yes	4
    20	TY3	Walk	20	0	Maybe	3
    21	TY3	Bus	28	12	Yes	3
    22	TY3	Cycle	15	0	Yes	5
    23	TY3	Car	30	0	Maybe	2
    24	TY3	Bus	22	10	No	3

    Layout to aim for on {{code:09_dashboard}}

    • Title in {{cell:A1}}
    • {{cell:A3}} Pick a transport, drop-down in {{cell:B3}}
    • Large figures in row 5: Count, Avg minutes, Avg rating (change with the drop-down)
    • Static total in {{cell:A7}} / {{cell:B7}}
    • Helper table from {{cell:H1}} (Transport, Count, AvgMins, AvgRating)
    • One chart under the headlines so the sheet fits without scrolling
    • {{cell:A10}} says View-only link, with the share link pasted in {{cell:B10}}

    Minimum for today: linked headlines, one chart, protect with B3 still working, view-only link in B10. A second chart is only if you still have time after that.

    4 - Common Issues ~3 mins

    Common Issues

    IssueSolution
    Drop-down freezes after protectYou did not break the file. Unlock or exclude B3, protect again
    Cannot paste the link into B10Unprotect, paste into B10, then protect again with B3 left editable
    Charts force scrollingShrink charts and drag them under the headlines
    XLOOKUP shows an error or Pick oneMatch the drop-down value to a helper label exactly, including capitals
    Share link allows editingSet Can view or Viewer, copy a fresh link into B10

    5 - Portfolio Build: 09_dashboard ~15 mins

    Independent Practice

    Your goal: Finish {{code:09_dashboard}} so a busy reader can trust one protected screen, with a view-only link parked for your findings note.
    Time: ~15 minutes
    Task: Stay on the same {{code:09_dashboard}} sheet inside {{code:02_survey_analysis}}. Do not add a second sheet with that name.
    • If the sheet is still protected, unprotect it before you change helper labels or formulas.
    • Own data (ten or more cleaned answers), if time allows: in H, list each different answer to your own category question; point COUNTIF and AVERAGEIF at your {{code:clean_data}} columns for that question, a number question and your rating question; keep XLOOKUP ranges matched to that helper height. If time is short, one working chart plus protect and B10 beats a perfect own-data rebuild.
    • Otherwise stay on the sample and tighten layout so everything fits one screen.
    • When the layout is right, protect again, leave B3 editable, re-test the drop-down, and keep the view-only link in {{cell:B10}}.
    Success criteria:
    • {{code:09_dashboard}} fits on one screen without hunting other sheets
    • Headline figures and at least one chart are clear at a glance (second chart if you added it)
    • Changing the drop-down updates the linked figures correctly
    • The sheet is protected, B3 still works, and a view-only link is saved in {{cell:B10}}
    123learn · Online learning platform

    Unlock the full learning experience

    You're previewing this lesson. Get full access to this lesson and hundreds more — each one ready to teach, with interactive activities, printable resources and pupil progress tracking built in.

    Hundreds of curriculum-aligned lessons
    Interactive activities in every lesson
    Printable resources & progress tracking
    Copyright Notice
    This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.
    🍪 Our website uses cookies to make your browsing experience better. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more