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How to Use Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis

Improve your skills using Microsoft Excel and associated Excel features, to better report and analyse your data.

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  • Duration

    2 weeks
  • Weekly study

    5 hours
  • 100% online

    How it works
  • Included in an ExpertTrack

    Course 2 of 4
  • Get full ExpertTrack access

    $39/monthFind out more

Discover the foundations of data analysis using the latest in Microsoft Excel

From transport to finance, everyday activities are increasingly leaving digital footprints that are transforming the workplace. Data analytics is the study of this ‘big data’.

As the world is becoming ever more data-driven, many employers are increasingly searching for people with analytical skills. The global data analytics market is expected to grow by 30% from 2020 to 2023, offering a huge number of employment opportunities. Build your skills in data analytics and Microsoft Excel to find an entry into this thriving industry and create a rewarding and lucrative career.

Learn how to analyse data in Microsoft Excel

You’ll learn how to perform data analysis by creating pivot tables in Microsoft Excel which is one of the most popular features in Excel. You’ll see the power of Excel pivots in action and their ability to summarise data in flexible ways, enabling quick exploration of data to produce useful insights from your accumulated data.

Uncover essential Excel functions and formulas

You’ll also learn how Excel formulas can be used to aggregate data to create useful reports across a multitude of business functions. These skills will help you to create dashboards and report hierarchical data. You’ll even be able to find anomalies within your data, to prevent mistakes in reporting.

Create charts and data visualisations in Excel

Once you’ve analysed your data, you’ll need to present it to your stakeholders. You’ll learn how to create a variety of charts and visualisations so that your data analysis work can make a real impact.

As part of this course, you’ll have access to a dedicated lab environment with the latest Microsoft Excel application and tools to complete exercises and activities, all powered by CloudSwyft.

Syllabus

  • Week 1

    Introduction to Excel Table and Pivot Table Fundamentals

    • Welcome to the Course!

      Welcome to the Microsoft Future Ready: How to Use Microsoft Excel for Data Analysis course. This activity introduces you to the course outline and learning outcomes, as well as CloudSwyft and its partnership on this course.

    • Introduction to Reporting in Excel

      In this activity, you'll be introduced to the basics of reporting data in Excel and using Excel charts.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 1

      This is your first Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll practically apply the knowledge you've gained in the course.

    • Excel Tables

      In this activity, we'll learn about Excel tables and their features.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 2

      Welcome to your second Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll be presented with a scenario and given the opportunity to practically apply the knowledge you've gained so far.

    • Basic Pivot Tables

      In this activity, we'll introduce you to the basic features of the pivot table. We'll also look at how you can use pivot tables and charts to build a basic dashboard.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 3

      This is your third Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll be presented with a scenario in which you'll apply the knowledge you've gained thus far in the course.

    • Wrapping up the Week

      This is the closing activity for Week 1, where we'll reflect on what you've learned. You'll also get a sneak peek at Week 2 and vote in a fun poll!

  • Week 2

    Reporting, Analysing and Comparing Data in Excel

    • Dashboards

      In this step, we'll jump right into our first topic, Dashboards. You'll learn how slicers, filters and pivots can be used to build sophisticated dashboards.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 4

      This is your fourth Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll practically apply the knowledge you've gained in the course.

    • Profitability Analysis and Finding Anomalies

      In this activity, you'll explore how to use calculated fields and conditional formatting in pivot tables to analyse datasets and detect anomalies in data.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 5

      This is your fifth Hands-on learning lab. You'll be provided with the opportunity to show what you've learned about profitability analysis and finding anomalies in your lab.

    • Comparative Data in Pivot Tables

      In this activity, we'll look at comparing data in pivot tables. We'll focus on year-on-year comparison values using the pivot table as well as the SUMIFS function.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 6

      This is your sixth Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll practically apply the knowledge you've gained about comparing year-over-year values.

    • Reporting Hierarchical Data

      In this activity, you'll go through different ways to visualise and chart data in Excel. In particular, you'll explore how to visually represent hierarchical data making use of Treemaps and Sunburst charts.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 7

      This is your seventh Hands-On learning lab. In this activity, you'll practically apply what you've learned about hierarchical data.

    • Introduction to Multi-Table Pivot Tables and the Data Model

      In this step, you'll be introduced to multi-table pivot tables. You'll learn the process of using the 'data model' to import data into Excel from different data sources.

    • CloudSwyft Hands-On Lab 8

      This is your final Hands-On learning lab where you'll demonstrate what you've learned in the previous activity.

    • Wrapping up the Course

      Well done! You've reached the end of the course. In this final activity, you'll explore some takeaway information on conditional formatting on the pivot and Excel table.

Prove you're job ready

Highlight the new, job-relevant skills you’ve gained and supplement existing qualifications with a hard-earned, industry-specific digital certificate – plus one for every course within your ExpertTrack.

  • Learn the latest in your chosen industry or subject.
  • Complete each course and pass assessments.
  • Receive certificates validated by the educating organisation.
  • Impress employers with learning outcomes you can add to your CV.
  • Make your career dreams a reality.

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Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate how to create flexible data aggregations using pivot tables
  • Apply how to represent data visually using pivot charts
  • Explain how to create aggregate reports using formula based techniques
  • Calculate margins and other common ratios using calculation on pivot table

Who is the course for?

This course is for anybody who would like to improve their data analysis skills and start using Microsoft Excel more effectively. This may include aspiring data analysts, software developers, engineers, or new managers who need to brush up on their analytics.

Who developed the course?

CloudSwyft Global Systems, Inc.

CloudSwyft has partnered with the top global technology companies to deliver cutting edge digital skills learning across the modern workplace.

Microsoft

Welcome to the world of Microsoft technology – choose a path and make your mark.

About this ExpertTrack

Learn data analysis from scratch, including an introduction to essential maths and Microsoft Excel.

Start learning today - free 7-day trial

After your free trial you can:

  • Pay $39 per month to keep learning online
  • Have complete control over your subscription; you can cancel any time
  • Work at your own pace and set your own deadlines at every stage
  • Only pay while you’re learning; the subscription will cancel automatically when you finish
  • Complete online assessments to test your knowledge and prove your skills
  • Earn digital course certificates and a final award that you can share online, with potential employers, and your professional network
  • Keep access to the content of courses you complete even after your subscription ends

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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