Excel-Power BI Cost Dashboard

I keep a growing list of project-specific expenses in Excel and now I need a streamlined solution that lets me stay on top of every cost and see at a glance where each project stands against its budget. The core file must still live in Excel for quick data entry, but I want the numbers to flow into an interactive Power BI dashboard that tracks actuals versus planned, highlights overruns, and allows me to drill down by project, cost category, and date.

Here is what I’m after:
• A clean, locked-down Excel template where I can add or import new cost lines without breaking formulas.
• Automated Power Query connections so the latest data refreshes in one click.
• A Power BI report with visuals such as cumulative spend curves, variances, and slicers for project name and time period.
• Clear documentation / inline notes so I can maintain the model after hand-over.

Accuracy and transparency are key—I need every calculation traceable back to the raw entry. If you have proven experience building cost-tracking dashboards in both Excel and Power BI, let’s discuss your approach and timeline.