# Highlight table widget cells in spreadsheets using emoji

Learn how to build a table widget with conditional color-based emoji using a spreadsheet.

May 8, 2025

In this guide, we'll cover how to use the Spreadsheets data source to display a table widget with conditional color-based emojis on your dashboard.

1. To begin, [load our example Google sheet of sales per agent](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Fd4DrhiM1oZIpkF1nobiLpYq6M3IJ1aSdYRZng1WS4/edit?usp=sharing).

To create our Emoji color indicators, we used an IF function in the cells in column `C` to run a test of the preceding cell in column `B`. This returns a red circle 🔴 for a `TRUE` result, and a blue circle 🔵 for a `FALSE` result. We also created a column of concatenated cells in column `D`.

2. Make a copy of [this Google Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Fd4DrhiM1oZIpkF1nobiLpYq6M3IJ1aSdYRZng1WS4/edit?usp=sharing).

1. If preferred, make changes to the sheet to customize it for your needs.
   2. For reference, to create the emoji color indicators, we used an IF function in the cells in column `C` to run a test of the preceding cell in column `B`. This returns a red circle 🔴 for a `TRUE` result, and a blue circle 🔵 for a `FALSE` result. We also created a column of concatenated cells in column `D`.

3. In Geckoboard, **add a new widget** to your dashboard and **select the Spreadsheets** data source.
4. **Connect your Google Drive** account if needed, **search for the sheet** you made a copy of, and **select it** from the list.
5. With your spreadsheet connected, **select the range you want to display**, e.g., the `A` and `D` columns:

6. Click **Continue**.
7. In the Visualization dropdown, **select Table**.
8. **Make any other changes needed** to your widget configuration, then **click Save**.