How to Build a Jira Dashboard in Google Sheets

Jira is a powerful, cost-effective issue-tracking platform for agile development teams.

It helps teams stay on the same page with visual task trackers like scrum boards and timelines. 

While Jira also comes with data reporting tools (sprint burndown chart, velocity report, etc.), the platform offers limited customizability, visualization options, and exporting features. 

That's why agile development teams import their data into Google Sheets.

With the help of Google Sheets, you can address the limitations and gaps of Jira, and then some.

Table of Contents

• Why use Google Sheets to build a Jira dashboard
• TL;DR: Polymer is the most reliable, convenient, and powerful way to build Jira dashboards
• Guide to building a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets
• Polymer makes building Jira dashboards faster and easier
• People also ask
• Create a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets effortlessly

Why use Google Sheets to build a Jira dashboard

Image Source: Atlassian.com/Software/Jira

Google Sheets provide teams with the versatility, flexible data export options, and advanced customizability that the Jira platform lacks. 

Aside from the range of customization and data visualization options, Google Sheets is supported by countless data management and Business Intelligence (BI) platforms. This makes consolidating your Jira data with metrics and KPIs from other solutions in your software stack easier. 

Jira dashboards on Google Sheets also serve as a functional backup of your data. Thanks to the "Version History" feature, you can protect your Jira data from accidental corruption or deletion.

TL;DR: Polymer is the most reliable, convenient, and powerful way to build Jira dashboards

Creating Jira dashboards with Google Sheets requires manual work. It takes time, is prone to error, and has plenty of limitations.

Use Polymer to avoid the gaps and challenges that come with Google Sheets.

Polymer is a no-code BI software with many dashboard templates, automation features, and AI-based suggestions.

Polymer allows you to create visually appealing and insightful Jira dashboards in minutes. 

Guide to building a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets

Follow the steps below to build a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets: 

1. Import your Jira data into Google Sheets

First, you need to export the Jira data you want to manage via Google Sheets. 

You can use Jira's export tool from different areas. Go to the 'Filters' tool to quickly find the exact data you need to export. 

For example, click 'View all issues' to open a list of all issues in the current project. 

Image Source: Atlassian.com/Software/Jira

On the results page, you'll find all the available data export options in the top-right corner. 

Jira data can be exported as an HTML, CSV, RSS, XML, or even as a Microsoft Word document. The platform also lets you open your data directly through Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. 

Image Source: Atlassian.com/Software/Jira

Select the 'Open in Google Sheets' option (Google Sheets icon) and click 'Allow' to open Google Sheets in a new tab. 

Jira will generate an authorization code for unlocking the Google Sheets document. Upon authorization, log in to your Google account and follow the on-screen instructions to enable the necessary permissions. 

When done, you'll be redirected to the Google Sheets document with your Jira data. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

Take note that you may encounter issues with the direct Google Sheets export option, especially with pop-up blockers and multiple Google accounts signed in.

A workaround is to export your Jira data as a CSV file and manually import it to Google Sheets instead.  

2. Create Google Sheets charts and visualizations

With your Jira data ready, create a Google Sheets dashboard by building data visualizations and highlighting key metrics. 

Google Sheets features a drag-and-drop chart and pivot table tools. Select an empty cell, go to 'Insert,' and pick either 'Chart' or 'Pivot table' to start building your visual dashboard. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

Here's a quick overview of the charts supported by Google Sheets: 

• Line chart. Track linear changes in metrics or KPIs over time. 
• Area chart. Measure or compare volumes between multiple correlated values. 
• Column/bar chart. Compare metrics or KPIs between similar dimensions, variables, or series. 
• Pie chart. Investigate the breakdown or distribution of a data set according to specified categories. 
• Maps. Visualize demographic data. 
• Scatter. Evaluate the relationship between two variables for any given data set. 
• Other visualizations. Visualize or highlight insights using scorecards, gauges, organizational charts, and more. 

Use the sidebar panel to configure your chart's data and style. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

When creating a pivot table, specify the data range or cells you wish to include. 

New pivot tables can be added to a separate sheet or the current sheet. After setting your preference, click 'Create' to generate your pivot table. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

If you're experienced with how spreadsheets work, consider using your own formulas in specific cells of your dashboard. Formulas are useful if you need to create custom KPI dashboards in Google Sheets. 

Feel free to create your own combination of charts, pivot tables, and formulas when creating your Google Sheets dashboard. For ideas, check out free Google Sheets dashboard templates.

3. Build and customize your Jira dashboard

Google Sheets offer a handful of customization options for personalizing your dashboard. 

For starters, data visualizations come with styling options baked into the chart editor. 

The customization options depend on the chart type used. For example, when customizing pie charts, your options include: 

• Background colors
• Font 
• 3D effect
• Donut hole
• Label formatting
• Pie slice colors
• Axis titles 
• Legend

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

Google Sheets also offer a host of styling options for cells. Everything, including font sizes, text wrapping, alternating colors, text alignment, and number formatting, can be modified via the 'Format' menu. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

To save time, consider using a theme to quickly apply your brand colors across your dashboard. Theme-based dashboards can still be customized using individual cell and chart styling options. 

4. Share your dashboard

Enable seamless collaboration on your Google Sheets dashboard by sharing it with your colleagues. 

On Google Sheets, click 'Share' in the top-right corner of the screen to load the sharing window. Here, you can add other users via their Gmail accounts or generate a shareable link with pre-set access permissions. 

Image Source: Sheets.Google.com

Consider setting "General access" to 'Anyone with the link' when using a shareable link while assigning a default user role (viewer, commenter, or editor). Otherwise, you still need to add other users' email addresses before they can access your dashboard—regardless if they have the link or not. 

Polymer makes building Jira dashboards faster and easier

Google Sheets is a simple, elegant solution to Jira's lack of flexibility and customizability in terms of reporting. But with a proper Business Intelligence platform like Polymer, you take efficiency to a whole new level. 

Polymer connects directly with Jira for seamless data imports (and exports). 

To set up Jira as a data source, log in to your Polymer dashboard and click 'Add Source.' 

From there, select 'Jira' and follow the on-screen instructions to authorize the direct integration. 

After authorization, no further action is needed to import your data into Polymer. Everything will be automatically imported. 

The dashboard also comes with a real-time synchronization tool—no need to periodically export new data to keep your dashboard up-to-date. 

To build your dashboard with Polymer, click your Jira data source. 

On the "Insights" page, you may build your dashboard block by block or use AI-based suggestions. 

Click 'New Block' to manually create data visualizations from scratch. Create interactive charts, scatter plots, pivot tables, funnels, ROI calculators, scorecards, and more—without touching code. 

Al-driven suggestions at the bottom extract instant insights from your data on autopilot. These suggestions or questions automatically analyze your data and generate data visualizations that best represent key takeaways. 

For example, in a Jira dashboard, Polymer may suggest the following:

• "How many issues were created yesterday?"
• "What is the distribution of issues across different priority levels?"
• "What is the distribution of issues across different status levels?"

To avoid analysis paralysis, create multiple boards focusing on different data visualizations. Once saved, you can quickly switch between boards in the 'Boards' tab. 

People also ask

Why create a Jira dashboard?

A Jira dashboard establishes clarity within a torrent of data and highlights important metrics and KPIs that gauge performance. These values reveal improvement opportunities to maximize the productivity and efficiency of your team. 

How do I give dashboard access in Jira? 

Jira lets you assign team members who can access specific dashboards within the platform. If you use third-party tools like Google Sheets, dashboard access can be shared via email or shareable links without requiring a Jira account. 

What is the difference between a board and dashboard in Jira? 

In Jira, boards are filtered views of issues designed to provide a more organized workflow for your team. Dashboards, on the other hand, focus on performance metrics and KPIs that lead to data-driven decisions. 

Create a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets effortlessly

Building a Jira dashboard in Google Sheets has a ton of benefits—from flexible customization options to more integration opportunities. 

However, Google Sheets fall short in the area of data synchronization (without third-party data connectors), visualization tools, and ease of use. 

Polymer fills these gaps with a comprehensive suite of data management and dashboard creation tools. 

Try this free Jira dashboard template from Polymer.

Get started with a free Polymer account today.