Introduction
Logistics professionals constantly juggle shipments, inventory, carriers and cost constraints. The only way to turn this chaos into clear, actionable insight is a solid set of metrics, visualised in a user‑friendly Excel dashboard. This guide shows you how to pick the right KPIs, build a powerful report, and start making data‑driven decisions instantly.
Why Logistics Metrics Matter
- Visibility: Real‑time dashboards reveal bottlenecks before they become crises.
- Cost control: Tracking transportation and inventory costs pinpoints savings opportunities.
- Performance alignment: KPIs tie daily operations to strategic goals such as service level agreements (SLAs) and profitability.
Core Logistics KPIs to Track in Excel
Below are the most common metrics every logistics manager should monitor. Use the suggested Excel formulas or built‑in functions to calculate each item.
For You:
Boost Profits with Activity-Based Costing
Discover hidden costs and optimize profitability
Learn More| KPI | Definition | Typical Formula (Excel) |
|---|---|---|
| On‑time Delivery (OTD) | % of shipments delivered on or before the promised date. | =COUNTIFS(DeliveryDate, “<=" & PromisedDate)/COUNTA(ShipmentID) |
| Inventory Turns | Cost of goods sold ÷ average inventory value. | =COGS/AVERAGE(InventoryStart,InventoryEnd) |
| Freight Cost per Unit | Total freight cost ÷ number of units shipped. | =SUM(FreightCost)/SUM(UnitsShipped) |
| Warehouse Space Utilisation | Occupied square feet ÷ total available square feet. | =SUM(OccupiedSF)/TotalSF |
| Order Cycle Time | Average time from order receipt to delivery. | =AVERAGE(DeliveryDate-OrderDate) |
Step‑by‑Step Recipe to Build Your Excel Logistics Dashboard
- Gather raw data. Export order, shipment, inventory and cost data from your ERP or TMS into CSV files.
- Clean & standardise. Use Excel’s Power Query to remove duplicates, fix date formats, and create a single master table.
- Define KPI calculations. Add calculated columns based on the formulas above. Keep all calculations on a hidden “Data” sheet.
- Design the visual layer. Insert a new sheet called “Dashboard”. Use PivotTables for dynamic summarisation, then add:
- Line charts for trends (OTD, Order Cycle Time).
- Bar charts for cost breakdowns (Freight Cost per Unit).
- Gauge or KPI cards for current performance vs. targets.
- Refresh automation. Record a simple macro that refreshes all PivotTables and recalculates formulas with one click.
- Protect & distribute. Hide the data sheet, protect the workbook, then share the file or publish it to SharePoint for team access.
Industry‑Specific Examples
Warehousing & Distribution
Key focus: space utilisation, pick‑rate, and order accuracy. Add a “Pick‑per‑hour” KPI and a heat‑map of warehouse zones using conditional formatting.
Transportation & Freight Forwarding
Key focus: freight cost per mile, carrier on‑time performance, and lane profitability. Use a stacked bar chart to compare each carrier’s OTD and cost.
E‑Commerce Fulfilment
Key focus: last‑mile delivery speed, return rate, and customer satisfaction score. Connect the dashboard to your order management system via Power Query for daily refresh.
Quick‑Start Checklist
| Task | Done? |
|---|---|
| Export raw logistics data (orders, shipments, inventory). | ☐ |
| Clean data with Power Query. | ☐ |
| Create KPI calculations on a hidden sheet. | ☐ |
| Build PivotTables for each KPI group. | ☐ |
| Design charts and KPI cards on the Dashboard sheet. | ☐ |
| Add a macro to refresh all data. | ☐ |
| Protect the workbook and share with the team. | ☐ |
Resources & Tools to Accelerate Your Work
- Automated Excel Reporting Toolkit – ready‑made formulas, macros and refresh scripts.
- Financial Dashboard in Excel – visual inspiration for KPI cards and gauges.
- Excel Long‑Tail Keywords Generator – helpful for naming your dashboard tabs and metrics.
- One‑Page Executive Report Template – condense your logistics dashboard for senior leadership.
Get Started Now
Download the ready‑made Excel reporting toolkit designed for logistics professionals and jump straight into building your dashboard.
Get the Automated Excel Reporting Toolkit here
For You:
Download Excel & Financial Templates
Automated reports, dashboards, and financial planning tools
Learn More