Level up your spreadsheets with Lucid

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Spreadsheets are complex, visually overwhelming, siloed, and uncollaborative. But while they have challenges, they are necessary for a wide variety of work, and many of us use them every day.

The good news? You can have your proverbial cake and eat it, too, with Lucid. In this article, we’ll discuss the features and tools in Lucid that are perfect for using in conjunction with your go-to spreadsheets, so you can keep on using them—just in a better way.

7+ Lucid features perfect for supporting your spreadsheets

Intelligent diagramming features

Lucid offers several intelligent diagramming features that leverage data you’ve already collected (like in those spreadsheets!) to bring extra value and meaning to your work through data visualization, analysis, and more. These features save you time and also offer contextual clarity that spreadsheets just can’t.

Here is a rundown of these features:

Data linking and automation

Turn your diagrams into powerful tools for analysis by linking them to spreadsheet datasets. Once a diagram is connected to a particular spreadsheet, the diagram will update automatically as changes are made, so you always have the most recent resource available.

AI capabilities

Through Lucid’s AI capabilities, you can create a diagram faster than ever. All you have to do is submit a prompt to describe what you need to visualize and Lucid will do the work for you by crafting a diagram that you can then share or iterate on so it’s exactly what you need to get the job done.

Become a pro at communicating the most critical aspects of your datasets with our conditional formatting course.

Learn more

Presentation Mode

Need to present important data to stakeholders? You don’t need to create an entirely new asset like a slide deck. Again, with Lucid, you can leverage the work you’ve already done. Once you’ve created a diagram from your dataset, flip on Lucid’s Presentation Mode to automatically create a polished presentation in seconds.

How to Position a Presentation Slide on Lucidchart Canvas

Smart Containers

Smart Containers allow you to group data linked to your diagram by unique attributes, qualitative or quantitative. Then you can format them by customzing their fill color, border color, font, and more so the data is easier to understand.

Dynamic shapes

Rather than dealing with the complex clutter of a spreadsheet, add values and formulas to a dynamic shape to convey important data visually. These shapes will automatically change depending on data updates, so you can always work confidently knowing you have them most updated information available.

How to Set the Value of a Dynamic Shape in Lucidchart

Layers

Layers take your diagram organization to the next level. With layers, you can build levels of design to easily show iterative states, phases, or different possibilities. Rather than having to search to make sure you’re looking at the right aspect of a project, layers creates different page views to draw attention to certain pieces. Plus, once data doesn’t appear overwhelming, it’s easier to focus on and understand. We call that a win, win.

Integrations

It’s easy to import your data into Lucid using our integrations with Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Once you’ve connected your accounts, sync and represent your spreadsheet data across Lucid. Generate charts and diagrams from the data, such as wireframes, flowcharts, and more. From there, you can keep them in Lucid or embed those visuals back into your spreadsheets, so you’re getting Lucid’s clarifying functionality without giving up the key tools you’re already using.

Level up your spreadsheets with Lucid

Spreadsheets were built to do a specific job, but Lucid offers a purpose-built solution for use cases that require deeper collaboration functionality. Connect the two to bring your data to life, save time, and gain clarity and context.

Consider the tasks and workflows you could automate by integrating your tools with Lucid.

Explore our integrations marketplace

About Lucid

Lucid Software is the leader in visual collaboration and work acceleration, helping teams see and build the future by turning ideas into reality. Its products include the Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite (Lucidchart and Lucidspark) and airfocus. The Lucid Visual Collaboration Suite, combined with powerful accelerators for cloud and process transformation, empowers organizations to streamline work, foster alignment, and drive business transformation at scale. airfocus, an AI-powered product management and roadmapping platform, extends these capabilities by helping teams prioritize work, define product strategy, and align execution with business goals. The most used work acceleration platform by the Fortune 500, Lucid's solutions are trusted by more than 100 million users across enterprises worldwide, including Google, GE, and NBC Universal. Lucid partners with leaders such as Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft, and has received numerous awards for its products, growth, and workplace culture.

What is intelligent diagramming?
Intelligent diagramming refers to both a more intelligent way to diagram, as well as to the diagrams themselves, which are more intelligent and interactive.
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Next-gen diagramming: The difference between good vs. great diagramming software
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Level up your spreadsheets with Lucid