Top Data Visualization Tools for Excel
In today’s data-driven world, the humble Excel spreadsheet remains a staple tool for businesses of all sizes. While Excel offers a wealth of functionalities, the true power lies in transforming raw data into visually compelling dashboards and reports. Fortunately, there is a diverse ecosystem of data visualization tools designed to integrate with Excel, empowering users to uncover hidden insights and make more informed decisions using their regular spreadsheets.
In this article, you’ll discover the top data visualization tools that integrate with Excel. Whether you’re looking to create custom themes, generate dynamic graph charts, or build interactive table charts, you’ll find options to suit your needs.
Datawrapper
Datawrapper is a versatile platform that enables you to create striking charts, maps, and tables with minimal effort. Its user-friendly interface simplifies the data visualization process, making it accessible to both non-specialists and professionals. With Datawrapper, you can:
- Copy and paste data directly from Excel or Google Sheets
- Choose from a wide range of chart and map types with just one click
- Customize and annotate your charts to make them more effective
- Export visualizations as PNG, SVG, or PDF files
- Create visualizations that update automatically by linking to external data sources
Visme
Visme’s graph maker stands out due to its versatility and extensive features. With Visme, you can:
- Create dashboards to showcase multiple visualizations simultaneously
- Access a template library with thousands of options across 50+ visual content types
- Utilize over 30 diverse data widgets for unique and dynamic data representation
- Choose from 20+ types of charts and graphs to visualize larger data sets
- Design interactive maps for location-based insights
- Add custom animations to infuse life into your data visualizations
- Create personalized pop-ups for additional context and details
Visme’s Dynamic Fields feature allows you to update multiple instances of the same data throughout a project automatically when the source data changes, saving you valuable time and effort.
Lucidchart
Lucidchart is an intelligent diagramming solution that empowers you to clarify complexity and build the future faster. When integrated with Excel, Lucidchart unlocks new possibilities:
- Enrich Excel spreadsheets with visuals like flowcharts, mockups, UML, and mind maps
- Refresh Lucidchart diagrams with a single click for a consistent source of truth
- Increase alignment within teams and across silos
- Communicate your systems and processes more effectively
Think-Cell
Think-Cell is a popular PowerPoint add-on that combined with Excel, allows you to create advanced charts and slide layouts. With Think-Cell, you can:
- Access a wide range of chart types, including waterfall charts, Mekko charts, and Gantt charts
- Create complex layouts that automatically re-arrange and re-align as you add or remove elements
- Connect your charts in PowerPoint to live data in Excel, ensuring automatic updates
- Use chart decorations like CAGRs, difference arrows, and value lines to enhance your visualizations
Think-Cell’s Excel integration allows you to maintain data links even when renaming files or sharing them with others, ensuring consistency and reducing manual updates.
XLCubed
XLCubed is an Excel add-in that empowers accountants and analysts to create powerful data visualizations. Key features include:
- An intuitive design grid for building queries quickly
- Effective and attractive small multiple charts
- Direct connection to live data, eliminating the need for copying and pasting
- A web platform for publishing data to third parties efficiently
- The ability for users to build and own their reports, promoting a single source of truth
XLCubed’s helps reduce the risk of working with outdated information given that users may query cubes directly through the add-in.
Databox
Databox is a business analytics platform that enables you to create KPI dashboards and integrate with various tools, including Excel. With Databox, you can:
- Pull insights directly from Excel into the data visualization software
- Create custom metrics using the Metric Builder for Excel
- Sync up to 2,000,000 cells of data from an Excel workbook
- Schedule automatic updates to check for new data in your worksheet every hour
Databox’s Excel integration is fully customizable, allowing you to build metrics tailored to your specific needs and requirements.
Skyvia’s FusionCharts Integration
Skyvia, a robust cloud data integration platform, offers a convenient solution for analyzing Excel Online data using the popular FusionCharts JavaScript charting library. Users can effortlessly load their Excel Online data into a database or cloud data warehouse, and then connect FusionCharts to the database for advanced data visualization and analysis.
Skyvia’s integration with FusionCharts simplifies the entire data visualization workflow. Users can choose from a variety of database and cloud data warehouse options, including popular choices like Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Amazon Redshift, to store their Excel Online data. Once the data is imported, Skyvia provides options for both ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) and ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes, ensuring the data is properly structured and ready for analysis.
Talonic AI
While Skyvia and FusionCharts provide a powerful combination for integrating Excel data with advanced data visualization, the next evolution in Excel reporting lies in AI-powered automation.
Talonic AI is designed to address the common pain points associated with manual data management and analysis in Excel. The platform automates the mundane tasks of data collection, cleaning, and transformation, freeing up users to focus on deriving actionable insights from their data. It integrates with a wide range of data sources, including Excel, to consolidate and centralize data from across the organization. The platform’s AI-driven analytics then generate visually stunning dashboards and reports, providing users with a comprehensive view of their business performance without the need for extensive Excel expertise.
One of the standout features of Talonic AI is its user-friendly, no-code interface. Even users without a background in data science or programming can leverage the platform’s capabilities to create sophisticated data visualizations and gain valuable insights. This democratization of data analytics enables organizations to empower their entire workforce with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions.
Spotfire
While Skyvia and Talonic AI offer innovative approaches to integrating Excel data with advanced visualization and analytics, Spotfire, a leading business intelligence (BI) platform, provides a comprehensive solution for data-driven decision-making.
Spotfire is renowned for its intuitive, visual-first approach to data analysis. The platform’s drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of interactive visualizations make it easy for users to explore their data, uncover hidden patterns, and generate insights without the need for extensive technical skills.
Spotfire’s AI-powered capabilities take data analysis to the next level. The platform’s Augmented Analytics feature recommends the most appropriate visualizations and analytical algorithms based on the user’s data, helping to surface the most meaningful insights. Additionally, Spotfire’s integration with machine learning and predictive analytics enables users to forecast future trends and identify potential risks or opportunities.
Zoho Analytics
Zoho Analytics, a self-service business intelligence (BI) and data analytics platform, offers a comprehensive solution for organizations looking to leverage their Excel data for informed decision-making.
Zoho Analytics seamlessly integrates with Excel, allowing users to import data directly from their spreadsheets. The platform’s intuitive interface enables users to easily prepare, model, and analyze their data, without the need for complex data transformations or coding.
Zoho Analytics provides a wide range of reporting and visualization options, including interactive charts, pivot tables, and geo-spatial maps. Users can effortlessly create custom dashboards, tailored to their specific business needs, and share them with colleagues for collaborative analysis.
Zoho Analytics’ Zia, an AI-powered assistant, takes data analysis to new heights. Users can ask questions about their data and receive instant insights, without the need to navigate complex BI interfaces. Zia also provides automated data preparation and anomaly detection, further enhancing the platform’s analytical capabilities.
Cloud-Based Solutions Compatible with Excel
Cloud-based solutions have revolutionized the way you work with data visualization tools for Excel. These platforms offer powerful features that enhance your ability to create compelling visualizations and make data-driven decisions.
Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI is a comprehensive business intelligence platform that works exceptionally well with Excel. It offers advanced features for data modeling, customization, and integration with various data sources. Power BI’s deep connection to the Microsoft ecosystem makes it an excellent choice if you’re already using Microsoft products.
With Power BI, you can:
- Create interactive dashboards and reports using data from Excel and other sources
- Utilize AI-driven insights to uncover hidden patterns in your data
- Customize visualizations to meet specific business needs
- Share reports easily with team members
Power BI offers different pricing plans to cater to various business needs and budgets. The free Power BI Desktop version provides robust features for basic data analysis and visualization, while the paid Pro and Premium plans offer advanced capabilities for collaboration and large-scale deployments.
Tableau
Tableau is renowned for its powerful data visualization capabilities and user-friendly interface. It excels in creating beautiful, interactive charts and graphs that help you gain insights from your Excel data quickly.
Key features of Tableau include:
- A wide range of visualization options, including 3D visualizations
- Drag-and-drop functionality for easy chart creation
- Advanced customization options for fine-tuning your visualizations
- Strong community support and extensive third-party resources
Tableau’s pricing starts at $70 per month for the Creator package, making it a more expensive option compared to some alternatives. However, its robust features and intuitive design make it a popular choice for businesses looking to create stunning data visualizations.
Google Data Studio
Google Data Studio, now known as Looker Studio, is a free, browser-based analytics and visualization platform that integrates well with Excel data. It’s an excellent option for those already using Google’s ecosystem of products.
With Looker Studio, you can:
- Create interactive dashboards and custom reports
- Connect to multiple data sources, including Excel files
- Share reports publicly or with specific team members
- Automate report updates based on real-time data
While Looker Studio’s charts may feel basic compared to some other tools, its integration with Google products and ease of use make it a valuable option for many users.
Looker
Looker is a powerful cloud-based business intelligence platform that offers unique capabilities for data handling and analytics. It connects directly to your database through API connections, ensuring you always work with the most up-to-date data.
Key features of Looker include:
- LookML, a proprietary modeling language for extensive customization
- Direct connection to SQL databases, supporting a wide range of data sources
- Granular access controls and data encryption for enhanced security
- Comprehensive online training through Looker University
Looker’s pricing is based on a customized quote, considering factors such as the number of users and specific feature requirements. While it may be more complex than some other tools, its powerful features make it an excellent choice for enterprises with large volumes of real-time data and a need for deep customization.
Qlik Sense
Qlik Sense is a self-service analytics platform that empowers users to explore data freely and uncover hidden insights. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and associative engine make it easy to create interactive dashboards and visualizations.
With Qlik Sense, you can:
- Connect to a wide range of data sources, including Excel files
- Create data stories combining visualizations and narrative text
- Collaborate in real-time within the platform
- Utilize AI-powered insights to enhance your analysis
Qlik Sense offers a tiered pricing model with options for both self-service and enterprise deployments. Its user-friendly interface and powerful visualizations make it a strong contender in the data visualization space.
When choosing a cloud-based solution compatible with Excel, consider factors such as your company size, data complexity, and the technical skills of your team. Each tool has its strengths and may suit different business environments and needs.
