How to Create Analytical Report Template in Excel?

Data analysis has become an integral aspect of any successful business. It enables you to identify trends, zero in on opportunities, and settle on a course of action.

This relies heavily on an analytical report template that summarizes data in detail.

Let’s say you run a retail business and want to understand its performance in different locations.

You can use an analytical report template to write a report.

This report can include sales data, customer feedback, and testimonials. It can also contain information about market trends, customer demographics, and average purchase prices.

Upon analyzing this data, you can decide on product placement and marketing tactics.

Then what is an analytical report template, and how can you create one? This article seeks to answer these questions by guiding you to create an analytical report template in Excel.

Table of Content:

1. What is an Analytical Report Template?
2. Video Tutorial: 
3. Why is the Data Analysis Report Template Important?
4. Top 5 Types of Analytical Report Templates
5. Analytical Report Format Samples For Businesses
6. How to Analyze a Business Analysis Report Template in Excel?
   • Step 1: Arrange Your Data
   • Step 2: Install ChartExpo
   • Step 3: Select Chart
   • Step 4: Create Chart
   • Step 5: Customize Your Analytics Template
   • Step 6: Final Analytical Report Template
7. How to Download the Performance Analysis Report Template?
8. Benefits of an Analysis Report Format
9. Tips For Data Analytics Report Templates
10. Common Mistakes To Avoid When Creating Analytical Report Templates
11. Analytical Report Template – FAQs
12. Wrap Up

What is an Analytical Report Template?

Definition: An analytical report template is a structured framework that helps organize data, findings, and insights into a clear and logical format. It guides users in presenting a problem, analyzing relevant information, and offering data-driven conclusions and recommendations.

The template ensures accuracy, objectivity, and clarity by following a consistent layout. This makes it easier for businesses to evaluate performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

Key Components of an Analytical Report Format

1. Executive Summary

A brief snapshot of the problem, key findings, and recommendations for quick understanding.

2. Introduction & Problem Statement

Outlines the purpose, scope, and clearly defines the issue or question being addressed.

3. Methodology

Explains the data sources, tools, and approach used for analysis to ensure transparency.

4. Data Analysis & Findings

Presents the core data with charts, visuals, and insights that support decision-making.

5. Recommendations & Conclusion

Provides practical solutions and wraps up with clear takeaways for action.

Video Tutorial:

Why is the Data Analysis Report Template Important?

A Data Analysis Report Template is essential because it provides a consistent structure for presenting insights, making complex information easy to understand and act upon. Here are the key reasons it matters:

• Saves Time

A ready-to-use structure reduces the effort needed to create reports from scratch.

• Ensures Consistency

It standardizes data presentation, making reports easier to compare and understand.

• Highlights Insights Clearly

Helps showcase key trends, patterns, and findings in an organized way.

• Supports Decision-Making

Gives managers and teams quick access to reliable insights for better choices.

• Adds Professionalism

Well-structured templates make reports look polished and credible.

Top 5 Types of Analytical Report Templates

• Descriptive Analytics Report

Summarizes past data and trends to show what has already happened in the business.

• Diagnostic Analytics Report

Digs deeper into data to explain why certain events or results occurred.

• Predictive Analytics Report

Uses historical data and patterns to forecast future outcomes or trends.

• Prescriptive Analytics Report

Recommends specific actions or strategies based on data insights.

• Strategic/Performance Analytics Report

Focuses on KPIs and performance metrics to guide long-term business strategy.

Analytical Report Format Samples For Businesses

1. Sales and Revenue Report Template

A company’s sales and revenue report is a gold mine of information on the business’s financial health.

It contains:

• An overview of sales and revenue.
• Comparison to the same period in the previous year.
• An analysis of the data by region, product, and client.

This allows you to make pricing, marketing strategy, product offering, and resource allocation decisions. Therefore, you can boost your profitability and maximize your growth potential.

2. Website Traffic Report Template

With a website traffic report, you can evaluate its performance. It provides a bird’s-eye perspective of how many people visit your site and where they found it.

The report includes metrics such as page views, unique visitors, bounce rate, and average time spent on the website. It can help you identify patterns and trends in the website’s performance. Thus, you can make informed decisions about site optimization, content creation, and marketing campaigns.

How to Analyze an Analytical Report Template in Excel?

Excel is one of the most used visualization instruments. However, the spreadsheet application lacks ready-to-use Analytical report templates Excel based charts, such as Sankey Charts.

We’re not advising you to do away with Excel in favor of other expensive tools.

This is because there’s an amazingly affordable visualization tool that comes as an add-in you can easily install in Excel to access an insightful and ready-to-use Excel analytical report template. The tool is called ChartExpo.

So, what is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is an add-in you can easily install in your Excel.

With many ready-to-go and insightful charts, graphs, and maps, including Box and Whisker plot, ChartExpo turns your complex, raw data into easy-to-interpret and visually appealing analytical report templates that tell data stories in real-time.

Features and benefits:

• ChartExpo is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) product, which makes it extremely light. You have a 100% guarantee that your Excel won’t be slowed down.
• You can export your charts and graphs in JPEG, PDF, SVG, and PNG formats.
• ChartExpo add-in is only $10 a month after the end of the trial period.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click on the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps”.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click on “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click on the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Step 1: Arrange Your Data

Assume you have the following data and wish to create an analytical report template for cash flow.

Earnings Source	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Departments	Outflows	Amount
Providing services	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Managerial	Personnel training	10000
Providing services	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Managerial	Office rental	16000
Providing services	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Managerial	Wages	9400
Renting out premises	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Commercial	Wages	11300
Renting out premises	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Commercial	Travel allowance	10000
Renting out premises	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Commercial	Advertising	12000
Sales of products	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Production	Material Payment	25000
Sales of products	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Production	Loan Payment	8500
Sales of products	Revenue	Proceeds	Expenses	Production	Wages	19500
Loans		Proceeds	Expenses	Production	Wages	18000

Step 2: Install ChartExpo

• Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.

Step 3: Select Chart

Step 4: Create Chart

• The Sankey Chart will look as follows.

• If you want to have the title of the chart, click on Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
• To change the title of the chart, click on the pencil icon that is available very next to Chart Header.
• It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable the Show option. Give the appropriate title of your chart and click on the Apply button.

• Click the highlighted pencil icon to add a Prefix (e.g., $ sign) to the numeric values of the chart.
• Expand the “Symbols” properties to add the Prefix value.

• To change the node color, click on the pencil icon available with the node. Expand the Node properties and change the color from the Node Color property. Click on the Apply button.
• To save changes, click on Save Changes. This will persist the changes.

Step 6: Final Analytical Report Template

Insights

• Level 1 shows the different sources of money. Services contribute 25%, renting out premises contributes 24%, product sales comprise 38%, and loans contribute 13%.
• Level 2 reveals that the revenue is $121.7k, obtained from the above streams.
• Level 3 proceeds with a total of $139.7k.
• Level 4 illustrates that most expenses ($139.7k) were for the final payment. Commercial expenses accounted for 24%, managerial expenses were 25%, and production expenses were the most at 51%.
• From examining Level 5, it is clear that most of the money (42%) goes to wages.

How to Download the Performance Analysis Report Template?

1. Pick a source: Microsoft Office, Smartsheet, or template sites
2. Download & save: Get the Excel/Word version to your device
3. Customize: Enter your performance data
4. Visualize (optional): Use ChartExpo for clear charts and insights

Benefits of an Analysis Report Format

• Clarity

An analysis report format organizes complex information into a simple structure, making data easier to read and understand.

• Consistency

Using a standard format ensures every report follows the same layout, which makes it easier to compare results across different periods or projects.

• Better Decision-Making

With clear insights, businesses can make informed choices that improve strategies, processes, and overall performance.

• Time-Saving

A predefined format saves time by eliminating the need to start from scratch, letting you focus on the actual analysis.

• Professionalism

Well-structured reports look polished and reliable, helping build trust with clients, managers, and stakeholders.

Tips For Data Analytics Report Templates

• Define Your Objective

Be clear about what the report should achieve—whether it’s tracking performance, spotting trends, or supporting decisions.

• Choose the Right Metrics

Focus only on the most relevant KPIs and metrics that align with your business goals to avoid clutter.

• Use Visuals Effectively

Include charts, graphs, and tables to simplify complex data and highlight insights quickly.

• Keep It Simple and Structured

Organize the template with clear sections (summary, data, insights, recommendations) for easy navigation.

• Ensure Accuracy and Consistency

Double-check calculations and maintain a consistent format across reports to build trust in your analysis.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Creating Analytical Report Templates

• Overloading with Data

Including too much information makes the report confusing. Stick to the most relevant data that supports your objective.

• Ignoring the Audience

Failing to tailor the report for decision-makers or stakeholders can make it less impactful. Always consider who will read it.

• Poor Visualization Choices

Using the wrong charts or cluttered visuals can distort insights. Choose clear and simple visuals that highlight key findings.

• Lack of Structure

Unorganized sections or missing summaries make reports hard to follow. A logical flow improves clarity.

• Skipping Data Validation

Relying on unchecked or inaccurate data reduces credibility. Always verify data sources and calculations before presenting.

Analytical Report Template – FAQs

What is a formal analytical report?

A formal analytical report comprehensively examines a specific subject or issue. It delves deep into a particular organization, process, or occurrence and provides a thorough evaluation. Statistics, graphs, charts, and other visual aids support the report’s findings.

How to structure an analytics report?

Here is a perfect analytical report template structure:

1. Title & Introduction: Define the purpose of the report and what questions it aims to answer.
2. Executive Summary: Provide a brief overview of key findings and recommendations.
3. Methodology: Explain data sources, tools, and methods used for analysis.
4. Data Presentation: Use tables, charts, and visuals to display the analyzed data clearly.
5. Insights & Findings: Highlight patterns, trends, and what the data means for the business.
6. Recommendations: Suggest actionable steps based on insights.
7. Conclusion: Summarize main takeaways for decision-makers.

Wrap Up

Data analysis makes an immense contribution to your success as a business owner. It helps you spot patterns, zero in on improvement avenues, and arrive at well-considered conclusions.

A critical part of this success is an analytical report template. It provides a bird’s-eye view of the data so stakeholders can better grasp the issue at hand.

Now you have a comprehensive guide to creating an analytical report template in Excel with ChartExpo. We’ve also discussed the importance of analytical report templates and the different types of reports.

You now have the expertise to design your custom analytical report template. You can create a report from the template to guide smart decision-making and boost productivity.