Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I from Coursera

Spreadsheet software remains one of the most ubiquitous pieces of software used in workplaces across the world. Learning to confidently operate this software means adding a highly valuable asset to your employability portfolio. In the United States alone, millions of job advertisements requiring Excel skills are posted every day. Research by Burning Glass Technologies and Capital One shows that digitals skills lead to higher income and better employment opportunities at a time when digital skills job are growing much faster than non-digital jobs.

In this second course of our Excel specialization Excel Skills for Business you will build on the strong foundations of the Essentials course. Intermediate Skills I will expand your Excel knowledge to new horizons. You are going to discover a whole range of skills and techniques that will become a standard component of your everyday use of Excel. In this course, you will build a solid layer of more advanced skills so you can manage large datasets and create meaningful reports. These key techniques and tools will allow you to add a sophisticated layer of automation and efficiency to your everyday tasks in Excel.

Once again, we have brought together a great teaching team that will be with you every step of the way. Prashan and Nicky will guide you through each week (and I am even going to make a guest appearance in Week 5 to help you learn about my favourite tool in Excel - shh, no spoilers!). Work through each new challenge step-by-step and in no time you will surprise yourself by how far you have come. This time around, we are going to follow Uma's trials and tribulations as she is trying to find her feet in a new position in the fictitious company PushPin. For those of you who have done the Essentials course, you will already be familiar with the company. Working through her challenges which are all too common ones that we encounter everyday, will help you to more easily relate to the skills and techniques learned in each week and apply them to familiar and new contexts.

What's inside

Syllabus

Working with Multiple Worksheets & Workbooks

This module is all about working with multiple worksheets and workbooks. Learn how you can combine data, manage datasets and perform calculations across multiple sources. And don't forget the Toolbox with handy shortcuts and ninja tips.

Text and Date Functions

By the end of this module, you will be an expert in Date and Text functions. This module discusses ways you can extract information and manipulate data to fulfil specific business requirements.

Named Ranges

Learn how you can create, manage and apply Named Ranges to enhance your calculations.

Summarising Data

Graduate to advanced formulas in this module. Learn how you can use functions like COUNTIFS to extract information from data, as well as generate graphical representations of it.

Tables

Tables, tables, tables. Start with creating, formatting and managing tables and then move on to sorting and filtering tables to get the data you need. Finally, wrap up this module automating your tables to make your work more efficient.

Pivot Tables, Charts and Slicers

This module deep dives into the popular (and very useful) pivot tables. Learn how you can create and modify them to solve a variety of business problems. Then gain skills to create interactive dashboards with pivot charts and slicers.

Final Assessment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops advanced Excel skills and techniques, which are core competencies for business analysts and professionals

Taught by Nicky Bull, Prashan S. M. Karunaratne, and Yvonne Breyer, who are experts in the field of Excel and data analysis

Builds upon the concepts learned in the Excel Skills for Business Essentials course, providing a structured learning path

Covers essential topics such as text and date functions, named ranges, summarizing data, tables, and pivot tables, which are widely used in data management and analysis

Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their Excel skills for career advancement or personal growth

Incorporates real-world scenarios and examples through the fictional company PushPin, making the learning process more relatable

Reviews summary

Excel skills for business: intermediate i

Learners say this course is largely positive for those who already have a basic understanding of Excel and are looking to develop intermediate level skills. According to students, the course: * Is well-structured and easy to follow * Features clear and thorough explanations * Provides ample opportunities to practice new skills with engaging assignments and challenging assessments * Is taught by knowledgeable and engaging instructors * Has a focus on practical business applications Students particularly enjoyed the lessons on pivot tables, tables, formulas, and linking worksheets and workbooks. Some students felt that there should be more explanations for incorrect answers on the final quiz.

Students appreciate the variety of assignments, including practice challenges and assessments, which help reinforce learning.

"I really appreciate your class. I feel like I'm learning a lot."

"This course was really challenging. I did not pass some of the assessments, but I stayed the course and persevered."

"The Practice Challenges and Graded Quizzes towards the end of every week further enhances learning and mastery even further."

"The assignments are a bit tricky (well, it's intermediate, right?) and are a great way of reinforcing whatever was taught in the course."

"This course was really challenging. I did not pass some of the assessments, but I stayed the course and persevered."

While the course is challenging, students find it rewarding and helpful for improving their Excel skills.

"This was definitely much more challenging that the Essentials course, which of course was to be expected."

"I was wowed by the amazing things I found out I could do with Excel through this course."

"I'm more confident about my Excel Skills. I was wowed by the amazing things I found out I could do with Excel through this course."

"This course is *not* as easy as *pie*, but it is unbelievably motivational due to its structure."

"I had to leave a review for this course, although only halfway through with it."

Students consistently praise the instructors for their knowledge, clarity, and engagement.

"Nicky and Prashan has given a very detailed step by step lesson and this is very essential for online learning."

"This was a great course, and I learned a lot more about Excel through it, but I wish the instructor in the video game more time between individual commands in order for students to follow along in their own Excel workbooks."

"I recommend any person want to learn excel take this course because very useful for me and give me a lot of information about use worksheet I will learn more about excel because this app very important in work if I go any interview ask me if I can work in excel or no."

"Taking this course has enormously improve my confidence and skills in Excel intermediate topics such as tables and pivot tables."

"It has been extremely great to have enrolled in this course."

The course emphasizes the importance of practicing skills to improve proficiency.

"The team at Macquarie University has done an outstanding effort to present such an elaborate material."

"This course was really challenging. I did not pass some of the assessments, but I stayed the course and persevered."

"This is a great course for I've enjoyed the other Excel courses offered by Macquarie University."

"The assessments are a bit tricky (well, it's intermediate, right?) and are a great way of reinforcing whatever was taught in the course."

"I found many subtle aspects that crystallized my learnings in a very structured manner. Thank you so much."

Students find the explanations provided in the video lessons to be clear and easy to understand.

"The way it was designed, presented, detailed, structured... every single aspect of it raises the bar of what an online course should be."

"I appreciate all that I learned from this course and highly recommend it."

"This class was an excellent resource, and I highly recommend it to people who have completed the Essentials course and want to improve their skillset."

"I really enjoyed the sessions and the course practice & assessment."

"Nicky and Prashan has given a very detailed step by step lesson and this is very essential for online learning."

Students using Macs may encounter some compatibility issues with the course materials.

"I only have one complaint and it's in regards to the videos that Yvonne Breyer conducted."

"There will be considerable differences in application especially in topics such as Charting though you do manage to get your results but can be quite cumbersome and time-consuming while searching for solutions on the internet"

"For some part like the attached workbook to be done has some issues like missing data or different versions to my Excel."

"The program such as the videos and excel worksheets are old, I'm guessing that this program must have launched in 2018 and needs to be updated but still good enough to comprehend the application till the next version of excel is released."

"Additional this program was designed with a windows operating system and not for a Mac."

Students report that the exams can be difficult, but they appreciate the opportunity to practice and improve their skills.

"This was definitely much more challenging that the Essentials course, which of course was to be expected."

"I had to leave a review for this course, although only halfway through with it."

"While undergoing this course, I learnt a whole lot."

"This course is *not* as easy as *pie*, but it is unbelievably motivational due to its structure."

"This course was really challenging. I did not pass some of the assessments, but I stayed the course and persevered."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I with these activities:

Practice Excel basics with practice sheets

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Review and practice basic Excel skills to ensure you are ready for more advanced concepts.

Browse courses on Excel

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Download practice sheets online or create your own.
Complete practice problems covering basic formulas, functions, and formatting.
Review your answers and identify areas where you need additional practice.

Participate in online Excel discussion forums

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Engage with fellow learners to discuss Excel challenges, share insights, and provide support.

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Join online Excel forums or communities.
Actively participate in discussions related to the course topics.
Share your knowledge and experiences to help others.

Create a data dashboard for a real-world scenario

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Apply your skills to create a practical and visually appealing dashboard that communicates data effectively.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify a real-world business scenario where a dashboard would be valuable.
Gather and prepare the necessary data.
Design and create the dashboard using Excel's visualization tools.
Present and explain your dashboard to stakeholders.

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Contribute to open-source Excel projects on GitHub

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the Excel ecosystem by participating in open-source projects.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

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Find open-source Excel projects on GitHub that align with your interests.
Review the project documentation and codebase.
Identify areas where you can contribute and make pull requests.

Mentor junior Excel users or students

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Reinforce your understanding by teaching others and contributing to their Excel journey.

Browse courses on Knowledge Sharing

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Identify opportunities to mentor junior colleagues or students who are learning Excel.
Share your knowledge and expertise through one-on-one sessions or group workshops.
Provide constructive feedback and guidance to help mentees develop their skills.

Career center

Learners who complete Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to extract meaningful insights. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course is a great starting point for those interested in transitioning into a career in this growing field. With its focus on manipulating large datasets and creating meaningful reports, this course can help equip you with the skills needed to succeed as a data analyst. Employers in various industries value the ability of Data Analysts to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Quantitative Analyst

Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data and make investment decisions. Employers in this field value a strong foundation in Excel, as it is widely used for data analysis and modeling. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the skills needed to manage large datasets, perform complex calculations, and build financial models.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quantitative Analyst

Statistician

Statisticians use statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data. Employers in this field value a strong foundation in Excel, as it is widely used for data analysis and statistical modeling. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the skills needed to manage large datasets, perform complex calculations, and build statistical models. By enhancing your proficiency in Excel, you can contribute more effectively to the collection and interpretation of data, which is crucial for informed decision-making.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and providing insights to help businesses make informed decisions. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course provides a solid foundation for those aspiring to become Financial Analysts. The course's coverage of advanced formulas, data summarization, and pivot tables can enhance your ability to extract meaningful information from complex financial data. A strong understanding of Excel is essential for Financial Analysts, as it enables them to build robust financial models and analyze data efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within an organization. Employers in this field value a strong foundation in Excel, as it is widely used for data analysis and risk modeling. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the skills needed to manage large datasets, perform complex calculations, and build risk models. By enhancing your proficiency in Excel, you can contribute more effectively to the identification and mitigation of risks within an organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager

IT Auditor

As an IT Auditor, you will be tasked with evaluating an organization's IT systems and processes to ensure compliance and security. Employers value the ability of IT Auditors to navigate complex technical environments and analyze data effectively. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the necessary skills to perform data analysis and reporting tasks common in IT auditing. By enhancing your proficiency in Excel, you can contribute more effectively to the identification and mitigation of IT risks.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide a solid foundation for those aspiring to become Business Analysts, as it focuses on data analysis, modeling, and presentation skills. With a strong understanding of Excel, Business Analysts can effectively analyze data, develop solutions, and communicate their findings to stakeholders.

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Auditor

As an Auditor, you might be asked to audit a firm's financial data or check for compliance with internal control frameworks. The skills you will learn in the Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course, such as working with multiple worksheets and workbooks, text and date functions, and summarizing data, will help you meet employer expectations. Business leaders and stakeholders rely on Auditors to provide clarity and assurance over an organization's financial performance. In this role, you will become a trusted advisor that provides valuable insights to inform sound decision-making. Enrolling in this course is a stepping stone toward a potentially lucrative career in auditing.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use analytical methods to solve complex business problems and improve operational efficiency. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the skills needed to manage large datasets, analyze data, and build optimization models. These skills are in high demand in the field of Operations Research, where professionals are tasked with finding innovative solutions to enhance business performance.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants provide advisory services to help businesses improve their performance. A strong foundation in Excel is highly sought after by employers in this field. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can help you develop the skills needed to analyze data, prepare reports, and create presentations that effectively communicate insights to clients. By mastering these skills, you can enhance your ability to contribute to the success of consulting projects and drive positive outcomes for businesses.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. A strong foundation in Excel is highly beneficial for Product Managers, as it enables them to analyze market data, track product performance, and make data-driven decisions. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can help you develop the skills needed to manage and analyze large datasets, create informative presentations, and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

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Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for managing investment portfolios and making investment decisions. The Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course can provide you with the skills needed to analyze financial data, build financial models, and manage risk. These skills are essential for Portfolio Managers, as they enable them to make informed investment decisions and achieve optimal returns for their clients.

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Teacher

Teachers facilitate learning and provide instruction to students at all levels of education. While not a direct fit for the Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course, it may be useful for those pursuing a career in teaching mathematics or business-related subjects. The course's focus on data analysis and presentation skills can help teachers develop the ability to convey complex information in a clear and engaging manner. By enhancing their Excel proficiency, teachers can create interactive lessons, analyze student data, and track their progress more effectively.

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Web Developer

Although the Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course is not directly related to web development, it may be helpful for those interested in transitioning into this field. The course's focus on data management, formula creation, and presentation skills can provide a foundation for understanding the principles of web development. By enhancing their Excel proficiency, individuals can develop the ability to organize and manipulate data effectively, which is a valuable skill for web developers.

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Writer

Although the Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1 course is not directly related to writing, it may be helpful for those interested in data-driven writing or technical writing. The course's focus on data analysis and presentation skills can provide a foundation for understanding the principles of data visualization and effective communication. By enhancing their Excel proficiency, writers can develop the ability to analyze data, create clear and concise reports, and present information in a compelling manner.

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