Quick Answer
To create Odoo dashboards for everyday users in 2026: Go to any list view (like Sales > Orders), apply your filters, switch to Pivot View, then click the "Insert in Spreadsheet" button. This creates a live, auto-updating spreadsheet inside Odoo. From there, highlight data and insert charts, or use =SUM formulas to create KPI scorecard tiles. No PowerBI, no developers, no Excel exports needed.
Introduction: The "Report Fatigue" Problem
Most business owners run their companies by looking at the rearview mirror.
They export data to Excel on the 30th of the month, spend 4 hours fixing formulas, and finally see a sales chart that is already 30 days old. By the time they see the problem, it's too late to fix it.
This is the "Report Fatigue" cycle—and it's costing businesses millions in delayed decisions.
The 2026 Solution: Odoo 18 has solved this with its native Spreadsheet Dashboard engine. It allows you to build live, interactive dashboards directly inside Odoo that update instantly. You don't need PowerBI, and you definitely don't need a developer.
This guide is for the non-technical user. We will build a "CEO Command Center" from scratch in 10 minutes.
Step 1: The "Insert in Spreadsheet" Trick
The secret button 90% of users miss.
You don't start building a dashboard by opening a blank page. You start from your data.
The Workflow
Go to any List View
Open Sales → Orders
Filter Your Data
Click Filters → "Order Date: This Year" and "Status: Sales Order"
Switch to Pivot View
Click the small "Pivot Table" icon (top right of the screen)
The Magic Button
Click the "Insert in Spreadsheet" button. This is the secret that 90% of users miss!
Confirm
Select "New Spreadsheet" and name it "CEO Dashboard"
Result: You now have a live pivot table inside an Excel-like interface within Odoo. If a new sale happens, this table updates automatically. No more exporting, no more stale data.
Step 2: Visualizing Data (Charts and Scorecards)
Raw pivot tables are useful, but charts tell a story. Let's make your data visual.
Creating a Chart
1. Select Your Data
Highlight the rows and columns in the pivot table you want to chart (e.g., Sales by Month)
2. Insert Chart
Click the "Insert" menu in the Spreadsheet toolbar and select the chart type (Bar, Line, Pie)
3. Dynamic Update
The chart now sits on your spreadsheet. If you change the filter on the source pivot table, the chart immediately updates
Creating a Scorecard (KPI Tile)
Scorecards are those big number tiles you see on executive dashboards. They're surprisingly easy to create.
The Formula
Scorecards use a simple formula: =SUM(range)
Example
In a new cell, type: =SUM('Sales Orders'!C:C) / 1000 to show Total Revenue in thousands
Formatting
Click the cell and use the "Format as Scorecard" option to give it a nice, large tile aesthetic
Common KPI Formulas
=SUM('Sales Orders'!amount_total)=COUNTA('Sales Orders'!name)=AVERAGE('Sales Orders'!amount_total)=(This_Month - Last_Month) / Last_Month * 100Step 3: Integrating External Data (The Looker Studio Hack)
Sometimes, you need to see Odoo data alongside external metrics (like Google Ads spend). This is where things get powerful.
The Problem
Odoo is a closed system; most reporting tools can't easily pull data from it. And you can't paste Google Ads data into Odoo.
The Fix: Google Looker Studio Connector
Install the Connector Module
Search for "Looker Studio" or "Google Data Studio" connector in Odoo Apps
Connect in Looker Studio
In Google Looker Studio, select "Odoo" as a data source
Build Combined Reports
Drag-and-drop Odoo sales data next to your Google Ads spend
Result: Now you can calculate true ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) by seeing Odoo revenue data directly next to your Google Ads spend. This is the holy grail of marketing attribution.
Bonus: Dashboard Ninja for Advanced Users
If you need more advanced dashboard capabilities, consider the Dashboard Ninja app from the Odoo App Store.
| Feature | Native Spreadsheet | Dashboard Ninja Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Updates | ✓ | ✓ |
| Charts & Graphs | ✓ | ✓ |
| KPI Tiles | Manual | Built-in |
| Advanced Filtering | Basic | Advanced |
| AI Insights | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cost | Free (included) | $199-$499 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Odoo dashboards update in real-time?
Yes. Native Odoo Dashboards (Spreadsheets) query the database every time you load the page. There is zero lag. External tools like Looker Studio might have a 15-minute sync delay depending on your connector configuration.
Can I restrict who sees the dashboard?
Yes. Since the dashboard is just a "Document" or a "View," you can set Access Rights. You can share the "Sales Dashboard" with the Sales Team but keep the "Financial Dashboard" visible only to the CFO. This uses Odoo's standard security model.
Is Dashboard Ninja free?
There is a free version (Community) and a paid version (Pro/Enterprise). The free version is excellent for basic KPI tiles, but the Pro version is needed for advanced filtering, drill-down capabilities, and AI-powered insights.
Can I embed Odoo dashboards in other websites?
Native Odoo spreadsheets are internal-only. However, if you use Looker Studio with the Odoo connector, those dashboards can be embedded or shared via public links. This is ideal for sharing with external stakeholders or displaying on TV monitors.
How do I create a dashboard that shows data from multiple modules?
Create multiple pivot tables from different modules (Sales, Inventory, Accounting) using the "Insert in Spreadsheet" method. Add them all to the same spreadsheet. Then create charts and KPIs from each data source. They'll all live on one dashboard and update independently.
Why Braincuber for Dashboard Setup?
While building basic dashboards is straightforward, creating actionable business intelligence requires expertise. Braincuber helps D2C manufacturers with:
Pre-Built Dashboard Packs
Custom Analytics
Conclusion: Data is Useless Without Visibility
You have millions of data points in your ERP. If you can't see them, you can't use them.
By spending 10 minutes today setting up a simple Odoo Spreadsheet Dashboard, you give yourself the gift of clarity for the rest of the year. No more Excel exports. No more 30-day-old reports. Just live data, whenever you need it.
Don't have time to build it yourself? Braincuber has pre-built Dashboard Packs for Sales, Inventory, and Finance ready to install.
Get Our "Plug-and-Play" Dashboard Pack
Pre-built dashboards for Sales, Inventory, and Finance. Install in minutes, customize to your needs, and start making data-driven decisions today.
Install. Visualize. Decide.