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Marissa Catanzaro

If you are looking for, or already have a job in the insurance industry and want to take your Excel skills from beginner to intermediate, this course is for you. We'll start at the beginning where you'll learn important keystrokes and formulas and then move onto Pivot Tables and graphs. At the end of the course we'll discuss how to apply these skills to create effective and professional exhibits that will impress your colleagues. There are cheat sheets and quizzes included throughout the course to further your knowledge and test your skills. Once you've completed the course and mastered the content, you'll be able to confidently state that you're an intermediate Excel user and begin wowing the crowd with your new Excel skills.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Navigate quickly through excel by using keystrokes
  • Manipulate data using formulas and pivot tables
  • Conduct analyses and create effective visuals using excel

Syllabus

At the end of this section, students will know what they'll learn in this course and how these skills will set them apart in the job market.

Welcome! In this lecture we'll discuss the main topics students will learn about during this course and I'll share a bit of my background from the insurance industry.

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At the end of this section, students will know the essential keystrokes to navigate efficiently through Excel and simple formulas like sum and average.

In this lecture we're going to start at the very beginning and discuss what you'll see when you first open up an Excel workbook.

Throughout this course, we'll be using the same sample data for most of the examples. In this lecture we'll quickly discuss an overview of this sample data.

When working in Excel, you'll find you can complete tasks twice as fast if you don't have to reach for your mouse. In this lecture we're going to go over important keystrokes that keep you from needing your mouse and will save you plenty of time.

Formulas will be the back bone of your Excel skill set. In this lecture we're going to start by learning a couple basic formulas: sum and average.

Test your knowledge of keystrokes and simple formulas.

At the end of this section, students will know how to create, combine, and troubleshoot If statements and lookups.

In this lecture we're going to discuss how to create an if statement. This formula is very powerful, especially when combined with other formulas.

In this lecture we're going to discuss how to create a vlookup or hlookup. Lookups are an absolutely necessary skill to have and will be used frequently to modify data in Excel.

In this lecture we're going to discuss how to combine if statements and lookups into one formula. The method for combining formulas learned in this lecture can be used to combine many other formulas, as well.

Once you start using formulas frequently in Excel, you're bound to get an error every now and then. In this lecture we'll go over some tips for understanding the errors you may see.

Test your knowledge of If Statements and Vlookups

At the end of this section, students will know how to create, navigate, modify, and format pivot tables.

Pivot Tables are the most powerful tool in Excel. In this lecture we'll go over an introduction to Pivot Tables and how to create them.

Now that we've discussed how to create a Pivot Table, we're going to review the different sections of the Pivot Table and how to navigate them.

Once you start using Pivot Tables frequently, it's likely you'll need to share your findings with your colleagues. In this lecture we'll discuss how to best format your Pivot Tables for exactly that.

Calculated fields are a more advanced skill that will strengthen your analytical capabilities in Pivot Tables. In this lecture we're going to discuss how to create calculated fields.

Test your knowledge of creating, navigating, and formatting Pivot Tables.

At the end of this section, students will know how to create, modify, and format graphs.

Graphs will be your main tool for communicating and presenting the findings from your analyses. In this lecture we're going to discuss how to create graphs.

In this lecture we're going to review the different types of graphs available in Excel and which ones will be most helpful and frequently used.

Once you have created a graph, it's important to know how to select and modify the data in your graph. In this lecture we'll discuss how to add new data into your graph and make changes to the data that is already present.

In this lecture we're going to review some of the many different options you'll have when formatting your graph.

Test your knowledge of creating and formatting graphs

At the end of this section, students will know the best way to create and format exhibits to impress their audience.

Once you've mastered the technical skills from earlier in the course, the next step is to understand how to format exhibits that will be well-received by your audience. In this lecture we're going to discuss how to use the different formatting options to your advantage when creating exhibits.

In this lecture we're going to discuss how you can use conditional formatting to keep your audience from being overwhelmed by too many numbers.

In this lecture we're going to discuss the importance of understanding where you want your audience to focus and not distracting from your point.

Test your knowledge of creating and formatting exhibits for presentations

At the end of this section, students will have completed this course and be ready to apply their new skills in a professional setting.

Congratulations! You've made it through this course. In this lecture we're going to highlight the different skills you learned throughout the course.

Time to add intermediate Excel user to your resumé! Reach out to me with any questions you have on the content we've discussed throughout the course.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Focuses on practical applications within the insurance industry, making it highly relevant for professionals looking to enhance their analytical and presentation skills in their field
Covers essential Excel functions like keystrokes, formulas, Pivot Tables, and graphs, which are fundamental for data analysis and reporting in the insurance sector
Progresses from basic Excel skills to intermediate techniques, enabling learners to confidently create professional exhibits and presentations for colleagues and stakeholders
Includes cheat sheets and quizzes throughout the course, reinforcing learning and providing opportunities for self-assessment and skill development
Teaches how to use conditional formatting to present data effectively, which is useful for insurance professionals who need to communicate complex information clearly
Requires learners to have access to Excel, which may require a subscription or purchase, potentially posing a barrier for some students

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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 Insurance Professionals with these activities:
Review Basic Excel Functions
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental Excel functions before diving into more complex formulas and Pivot Tables.
Browse courses on SUM Function
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on basic Excel functions.
  • Practice using these functions with sample datasets.
  • Complete online quizzes to test your knowledge.
Review Excel 2019 Bible
Expand your knowledge of Excel features and functionalities beyond the scope of the course.
View Excel 2019 Bible on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read relevant chapters on Pivot Tables and data analysis.
  • Practice the examples provided in the book.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Practice Keystroke Shortcuts
Improve your efficiency in Excel by mastering essential keystroke shortcuts for navigation and data manipulation.
Show steps
  • Create a list of common Excel shortcuts.
  • Practice using these shortcuts daily with a timer.
  • Track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create an Excel Cheat Sheet
Consolidate your knowledge by creating a comprehensive cheat sheet of Excel formulas, functions, and shortcuts relevant to insurance professionals.
Show steps
  • Identify key Excel skills covered in the course.
  • Organize the cheat sheet by topic.
  • Include clear explanations and examples.
  • Share your cheat sheet with other students.
Analyze Insurance Claim Data
Apply your Excel skills to analyze a sample dataset of insurance claims, creating Pivot Tables and graphs to identify trends and insights.
Show steps
  • Obtain a sample insurance claim dataset.
  • Create Pivot Tables to summarize key metrics.
  • Generate graphs to visualize trends and patterns.
  • Write a brief report summarizing your findings.
Review Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling
Learn advanced data analysis techniques using Excel to improve decision-making in the insurance industry.
Show steps
  • Study chapters on regression analysis and forecasting.
  • Apply the techniques to insurance-related datasets.
  • Compare different modeling approaches.
Build an Interactive Insurance Dashboard
Create an interactive dashboard in Excel to visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) for an insurance company.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant KPIs for an insurance company.
  • Gather data from various sources.
  • Design an intuitive and visually appealing dashboard.
  • Implement interactive elements using Excel controls.

Career center

Learners who complete Excel Skills for Insurance Professionals will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Insurance Underwriter
An Insurance Underwriter assesses risk and determines whether to provide insurance coverage, and at what premium. This role requires the manipulation of data to analyze patterns and loss ratios. This course helps build a foundation in using Excel formulas and pivot tables, which are essential for analyzing data in underwriting. The course's focus on creating effective visuals further helps an underwriter present findings to stakeholders. Knowing how to use keystrokes, write formulas, and create pivot tables will allow learners to perform their job more efficiently. This course in particular is well suited for those looking to become a proficient insurance underwriter, as it uses language familiar to the industry and builds the necessary Excel skills from the ground up.
Actuarial Analyst
An Actuarial Analyst uses statistical methods to assess risk and determine pricing for insurance products. This role involves significant data analysis and modeling. This course may be useful, as it teaches how to manipulate data using formulas and Pivot Tables, skills that are fundamental to actuarial analysis. Furthermore, this course reviews how to create effective visuals using graphs, which can aid effective communication of results. The course's focus on creating professional exhibits may be particularly relevant for presenting data to stakeholders. In particular, the course's use of insurance industry language will help learners quickly grasp the material.
Claims Adjuster
A Claims Adjuster investigates insurance claims and determines the legitimacy of a claim and the amount of compensation to be paid. Claims adjusters often need to organize and analyze claim data. This course helps build a foundation in Excel, including how to manipulate data with formulas and pivot tables, which can be helpful in tracking and analyzing insurance claim information. This course may be useful because it teaches efficient navigation via keystrokes and how to create professional exhibits, which is good practice for presenting findings to other members of the insurance team. This course in particular may provide value to a claims adjuster since it uses examples from the insurance industry.
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data to help companies make informed decisions. This role requires strong Excel skills for financial modeling and analysis. This course helps build a foundation by providing the skills to manipulate data using formulas and create pivot tables. Furthermore, this course teaches how to create graphs that are useful for visualizing financial data. The course's focus on creating professional exhibits to impress colleagues may be helpful for presenting financial data to stakeholders. This course may particularly suit an aspiring financial analyst who is also interested in the insurance industry, as the course uses insurance industry language to teach practical Excel skills.
Risk Analyst
A Risk Analyst identifies and assesses potential risks to an organization. This role involves the collection and analysis of large datasets to identify trends and make predictions. This course might be helpful for risk analysts because it teaches how to use Excel to manipulate data with formulas and pivot tables, both of which are fundamental to a risk analysis. The course also covers how to create visualizations using Excel graphs, which can aid in presenting the results of a risk assessment. Furthermore, the course teaches the best way to create and format exhibits to impress an audience, which can be very helpful for a risk analyst. This course will be particularly useful to those in the insurance industry.
Business Analyst
A Business Analyst identifies business needs and proposes solutions. This role often involves data analysis and the creation of reports. This course may be helpful because it teaches the creation of pivot tables and how to manipulate data with formulas, which are fundamental tools for business analysis. This course also covers how to create graphs useful for data visualization. Further, learning how to create effective exhibits will allow business analysts to present their results clearly and professionally to decision makers. The course's focus on using Excel in a professional setting makes it suitable for a prospective business analyst who wants to develop their practical skills in data analysis within an insurance setting.
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects and analyzes data to help organizations make better decisions. This role requires strong data manipulation and presentation skills, often using spreadsheets. This course may be helpful, as it teaches users to manipulate data with formulas and to create pivot tables in Excel, both of which are essential for data analysis. Additionally, it covers the creation of graphs and the best way to format exhibits. These skills are valuable when communicating data insights. The course’s specific use of insurance industry language may be beneficial for a data analyst working in that field.
Market Research Analyst
A Market Research Analyst analyzes market trends and consumer behavior to advise a company on its strategic direction. Often, the market research analyst must organize and interpret findings. This course may be useful since it provides a foundation in manipulating data with formulas and creating pivot tables. Moreover, the course covers the best way to create and format exhibits, which can help a Market Research Analyst communicate key findings clearly and professionally. The course's emphasis on using Excel in a professional context may be valuable to aspiring market research analysts, particularly those interested in the insurance industry.
Auditor
An Auditor examines and verifies financial records within an organization. This role requires strong analytical skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail. This course may provide value to an auditor as it offers training in how to manipulate data using formulas and pivot tables, which are essential tools for reviewing financial data efficiently. Furthermore, learning how to create effective exhibits is important for presenting findings to stakeholders. The course may be especially useful for auditors working in the insurance sector, as it uses language familiar to the industry.
Financial Reporting Specialist
A Financial Reporting Specialist prepares and analyzes financial statements and reports to ensure they comply with regulations. They regularly work with large amounts of data. This course may be helpful because it teaches how to manipulate data using formulas and create pivot tables, both of which are important tasks for preparing financial reports. This course also covers how to create graphs and exhibits to communicate findings. This course may be particularly useful if one’s area of focus is insurance, where this course's industry language will be especially relevant.
Budget Analyst
A Budget Analyst develops and manages budgets for an organization. This involves analyzing financial data and making recommendations. This course helps build a foundation in Excel, specifically, how to use formulas and create pivot tables, which are valuable tools for budget analysis. Additionally, this course covers how to create visuals using graphs which can assist with the budget analysis process. The course's focus on creating effective exhibits may also be useful to an analyst who wants to present findings to a team. The course may be especially helpful to a budget analyst who is focused on the insurance field, as the course uses the language of the industry.
Insurance Sales Agent
An Insurance Sales Agent sells insurance policies to clients. Though this role is client-facing, some data analysis may be involved. This course may be helpful for an insurance sales agent, since it teaches the fundamentals of using excel. The skills taught in this course, including how to manipulate data using formulas and how to use pivot tables, can be used to manage sales data and effectively track client information. This course's use of insurance language will make the material easier to grasp.
Project Coordinator
A Project Coordinator supports project managers in organizing and overseeing project activities. Though this role is not directly analytical, coordinators benefit from strong organizational and data management skills. This course may be useful as it provides a foundation in using Excel to organize and track project data using formulas and pivot tables. The course also covers how to create visually helpful exhibits to aid communication. This course may especially benefit those working on insurance-related projects, as the course incorporates industry-specific language.
Customer Success Specialist
A Customer Success Specialist works with customers to ensure they are satisfied with a product or service. While not a core requirement, data analysis skills may be useful for tracking and reporting on customer interactions and satisfaction. This course may be useful by providing a foundation in organizing and manipulating data using formulas and pivot tables. Additionally, the course's lessons on creating exhibits can allow a Customer Success Specialist to clearly and professionally communicate their findings to their team or to clients. Though not a central skill for this role, this course may be helpful to a customer success specialist within the insurance industry.
Administrative Assistant
An Administrative Assistant provides support to an office or team, including tasks such as scheduling, data entry, and document formatting. This course may be useful, as it provides a foundation on how to manipulate data using formulas. Additionally, this course covers how to navigate efficiently through excel using keystrokes. Although this role does not typically require advanced data analysis, the skills learned in this course can be useful. Learning Excel can make an administrative assistant more efficient in performing their day to day work.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Excel Skills for Insurance Professionals.
Focuses on using Excel for data analysis and business modeling, which is highly relevant to the insurance industry. It covers topics such as regression analysis, forecasting, and optimization. This book is particularly useful for students who want to apply their Excel skills to solve real-world business problems. It is commonly used as a textbook in business schools and by industry professionals.
Comprehensive guide to Excel 2019, covering a wide range of topics from basic functions to advanced data analysis techniques. It serves as a valuable reference for insurance professionals looking to deepen their Excel skills. The book provides detailed explanations and practical examples, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users. It can be used as a textbook or as a supplementary resource to the course.

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