Create an Excel Tournament Bracket for College Basketball

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The March College Basketball Tournament
3. Creating a Bracket System in Excel
4. Using the Insert SmartArt Graphic Feature
5. Customizing the SmartArt Graphic
6. Organizing the Bracket Levels
7. Updating and Editing the Bracket
8. Downloadable Excel Dashboard Template
9. Tips and Tricks for Using SmartArt in Excel
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to Excel Dashboard Templates! In this article, we will explore how to create a bracket system in Excel for the March college basketball tournament. This tournament is a big deal in the US, and many people enjoy creating brackets to predict the winners at different stages of the competition. We will discuss how to use the Insert SmartArt Graphic feature in Excel to create a visually appealing and organized bracket system. We will also provide tips and tricks to customize and update the bracket as needed. So, let's get started and see how you can create your own college basketball bracket in Excel!

The March College Basketball Tournament

The March college basketball tournament, also known as "March Madness," is a highly anticipated event in the US. It features teams from various colleges competing against each other to determine the overall college basketball champion for the year. The tournament starts with 64 teams, which gradually narrows down to the Final Four and eventually crowns the ultimate champion. Many people participate in creating brackets, where they predict the winners at each level of the tournament. Let's explore how you can create your own bracket system in Excel.

Pros

• Provides an exciting way to engage with the tournament.
• Allows you to test your knowledge and prediction abilities.
• Provides a framework to track the progress of the tournament.
• Can be customized to reflect your personal preferences.

Cons

• Requires manual input of team names and winners.
• Can be time-consuming for larger tournaments.
• May have limitations in terms of visual customization.
• Difficult to track live updates without manual adjustments.

Creating a Bracket System in Excel

Creating a bracket system in Excel can be challenging if you try to use basic chart types like column or scatter plots. However, with the help of the Insert SmartArt Graphic feature, you can easily create an organized and visually appealing bracket. Let's dive into the process and see how it's done.

Using the Insert SmartArt Graphic Feature

To create a bracket system in Excel, we will utilize the Insert SmartArt Graphic feature. This feature provides a range of predefined chart templates, including hierarchy charts that can be customized for our bracket system. Here's how you can access it:

1. Click on the "Insert" tab in the Excel ribbon.
2. Under the "Illustrations" section, click on the "SmartArt Graphic" button.
3. In the dialog box that appears, navigate to the "Hierarchy" category.
4. Select the desired horizontal hierarchy chart template.
5. Click "OK" to insert the SmartArt graphic into your Excel worksheet.

Customizing the SmartArt Graphic

Once you have inserted the SmartArt graphic, you can begin customizing it to fit your bracket system. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Use the text pane or directly click within each shape to enter team names and winners.
• Use the promotion and demotion options in the design ribbon to adjust the levels of the chart.
• Experiment with different layouts and styles to find the one that best suits your preference.
• Customize the colors, fonts, and other visual elements to make the bracket visually appealing.

Organizing the Bracket Levels

To create an accurate representation of the tournament bracket, it is essential to organize the different levels properly. Starting from the top, we have the Final Four, Elite Eight, Sweet 16, Round of 32, and Round of 64. Make sure to align the teams and winners at each level accurately to create a logical flow in your bracket.

Updating and Editing the Bracket

As the tournament progresses and winners are determined, you will need to update and edit your bracket accordingly. You can do this by simply modifying the team names and winners in the SmartArt graphic. Alternatively, you can use the downloadable Excel dashboard template from our website, where we have pre-created the bracket for you to fill in the names conveniently.

Downloadable Excel Dashboard Template

To save time and effort, we have provided a downloadable Excel dashboard template on our website. This template already includes the necessary SmartArt graphic for your college basketball bracket. You can easily fill in the team names and winners without worrying about the formatting and layout. Visit our website to access the free template and start creating your own bracket.

Tips and Tricks for Using SmartArt in Excel

• Use the "right to left" or "left to right" options in the design ribbon to adjust the flow of the SmartArt graphic according to your bracket.
• Insert blank rows in the text pane to create additional boxes for winners at each level of the bracket.
• Customize the text pane and SmartArt text area to input team names and winners efficiently.
• Take advantage of the different layouts and styles available to make your bracket visually appealing.
• Experiment with colors, fonts, and other visual elements to personalize your bracket.

Conclusion

Creating a college basketball bracket in Excel is an exciting way to engage with the March tournament. By utilizing the Insert SmartArt Graphic feature and customizing the chart to your liking, you can easily create a visually appealing and organized bracket system. Whether you choose to manually input the team names or use our downloadable Excel dashboard template, creating and updating your bracket will be a breeze. So, get ready to test your prediction skills and enjoy the thrill of March Madness with your personalized bracket in Excel!

Highlights

• Easily create a college basketball bracket in Excel using the Insert SmartArt Graphic feature.
• Customize the SmartArt graphic to match your preferences and create an organized bracket system.
• Use the downloadable Excel dashboard template for convenience and time-saving.
• Stay engaged with the March tournament by updating and editing the bracket as winners are determined.
• Discover tips and tricks for utilizing SmartArt in Excel to enhance your bracket's visual appeal.

FAQ

Q: Can I use this bracket system for other tournaments besides college basketball? A: Yes, the bracket system created using Excel's SmartArt graphic feature can be adapted for various tournaments or competitions. Simply modify the team names and winners accordingly.

Q: Can I track live updates of the tournament using this bracket? A: While the Excel bracket system does not provide live updates automatically, you can manually adjust and update the bracket as the tournament progresses.

Q: Can I customize the colors and fonts of the SmartArt graphic? A: Yes, you can customize the colors, fonts, and other visual elements of the SmartArt graphic to match your preferences and make the bracket visually appealing.

Q: Is the downloadable Excel dashboard template free? A: Yes, the Excel dashboard template provided on our website is free to download and use for your college basketball bracket.

Q: How can I keep track of team names and winners in the bracket? A: You can input team names and winners either in the text pane or directly within each shape of the SmartArt graphic. Use the promotion and demotion options to adjust the levels accordingly.

Q: Can I use this bracket for smaller tournaments with fewer teams? A: Yes, you can adapt the bracket system for smaller tournaments by adjusting the number of levels and teams accordingly.