KPIs vs Conditional Formatting

[unire]

Is there a guideline about when to use KPIs vs conditional formatting?

 

[Foz1980]

You'll need to be a lot more specific with regards to what you need.

 

[Matt Allington]

Is there a guideline about when to use KPIs vs conditional formatting?

KPIs are part of the data model, conditional formatting are bespoke visuals on top of a visualisation and hence need to be added each time. KPIs can visualise variance to a target in the data model, but conditional formatting can only refer to other cells of data meaning you have to materialise the targets too if you want to use the (although I seem to remember someone saying they used measures in the conditional formatting wizard (I think). KPIs in Excel 2013 were broken (couldn't select different icons), then fixed. Last time I checked it didn't work for me again.

I say just use what you prefer.

 

[FDibbins]

KPI's (Key performance Indicators) are values/calc's/measures to test actual performance against a predetermined target
Conditional Formatting is a way to make cells change their format/appearance, based on a given criteria.

Given that, I don't see that this would be an "either or" situation, but rather a complimentary function - you could use CF to highlight/ID KPI's that fell outside specified parameters