Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel from Coursera

This course introduces learners to Excel Macros and VBA, focusing on automating tasks to enhance productivity. Starting with the macro recorder, learners will automate repetitive tasks without needing to write code. They will explore VBA programming fundamentals, such as working with variables, built-in functions, and loops to optimize workflows. Advanced topics include creating interactive dashboards using Excel Copilot, incorporating predictive and scenario analysis, and building user-friendly interfaces with ActiveX controls and UserForms. By the end of the course, learners will be proficient in using Macros and VBA to streamline tasks and create dynamic Excel solutions.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

- Utilize Excel Macros to automate repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency.

- Navigate the Developer tab and use the macro recorder to streamline workflows.

- Debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor for optimal performance.

- Apply advanced VBA techniques to create custom macros and interactive dashboards.

- Develop interactive dashboards.

Tools you’ll use:

- Microsoft Excel

- Copilot in Excel

- Excel Macros

- Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

- ActiveX Controls

What's inside

Syllabus

Excel macro recording and VBA basics

This module focuses on leveraging Excel macros to automate repetitive tasks and enhance efficiency. You will use the macro recorder to capture actions and automate tasks without needing to write code.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers Excel Macros and VBA, which are essential for automating tasks and enhancing productivity within the Excel environment, making it highly relevant for professionals

Teaches VBA programming fundamentals, including variables, built-in functions, and loops, which are crucial for optimizing workflows and creating dynamic Excel solutions

Explores creating interactive dashboards using Excel Copilot, incorporating predictive and scenario analysis, which are valuable skills for data-driven decision-making

Involves building user-friendly interfaces with ActiveX controls and UserForms, which can enhance the usability and interactivity of Excel applications

Starts with the macro recorder, allowing learners to automate repetitive tasks without needing to write code, which is beneficial for those new to programming

Requires Microsoft Excel and Copilot in Excel, so learners will need to ensure they have access to these tools, which may require a subscription or specific version

Reviews summary

Automate excel tasks with vba and copilot

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in Excel Macros and VBA, helping users automate repetitive tasks and save significant time. Many found the practical examples and demonstrations helpful for applying concepts immediately. While the core VBA content is widely seen as a very useful starting point for automation, some learners noted that the pace might be best suited for those with beginner to intermediate Excel skills. The module on building interactive dashboards and using Copilot is highlighted as a key practical application, although access to Copilot is necessary to fully benefit from that specific section.

Pace suits beginners/intermediate users.

"The course pace was just right for me as someone relatively new to VBA."

"For someone with intermediate Excel skills, the course built nicely upon what I already knew."

"The initial parts were quite basic if you've touched VBA before, but it ramps up later."

"I found the transition from basic macros to UserForms a bit challenging without prior coding experience."

Covers dashboards and Copilot integration.

"The section on building interactive dashboards was a major highlight for me."

"I was excited about the Copilot integration, though you definitely need access to use that part."

"Learning to use slicers and filters in dashboards was very practical."

"The predictive and scenario analysis part tied in well with dashboard design."

Strong demos and hands-on application.

"The demonstrations were excellent and made it easy to replicate the techniques in my own spreadsheets."

"I appreciated the hands-on exercises that allowed me to practice what was taught immediately."

"The real-world examples used throughout the course made the concepts much clearer and more tangible."

"Seeing how to apply the methods step-by-step in Excel was very helpful."

Helps automate workflows and save time.

"I can already see how I will use these automation techniques to save hours of work every week."

"The practical applications shown in the course are directly relevant to my job; it will significantly enhance my productivity."

"Learning how to automate repetitive processes was incredibly valuable and immediately applicable."

"This course showed me specific ways to streamline my workflows right away."

Good base for automating tasks with VBA.

"Provides a great introduction to VBA and macros. It really simplifies the process of automating tasks."

"The initial sections on Macro recording and VBA basics were clear and easy to follow, giving me a solid start."

"I learned how to create custom macros and understand the underlying VBA code effectively."

"This course gave me the foundational skills I needed to start automating my daily Excel work."

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 Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel with these activities:

Review Excel Fundamentals

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of basic Excel functions and formulas to prepare for more advanced automation techniques.

Browse courses on Excel

Show steps

Review basic formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, and IF.
Practice using cell references and formatting options.
Familiarize yourself with common Excel shortcuts.

Review 'Excel VBA Programming For Dummies'

Show steps

Gain a solid foundation in VBA programming to effectively automate tasks in Excel.

View Excel VBA Programming For Dummies 5th Edition... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters covering VBA basics and object models.
Work through the examples provided in the book.
Experiment with modifying the examples to suit your needs.

Automate Data Cleaning Tasks

Show steps

Practice automating common data cleaning tasks using Excel Macros and VBA to reinforce your understanding of the concepts.

Browse courses on Excel Macros

Show steps

Record a macro to remove duplicate entries from a dataset.
Write a VBA script to format data consistently.
Create a macro to extract specific data from a text file.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Macro Tutorial

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of Excel Macros by creating a tutorial for others.

Browse courses on Excel Macros

Show steps

Choose a specific macro task to demonstrate.
Record a video or write a step-by-step guide.
Share your tutorial with others and gather feedback.

Build an Automated Reporting System

Show steps

Apply your knowledge to build a practical automated reporting system using Excel Macros and VBA.

Browse courses on Excel Macros

Show steps

Define the scope and requirements of the reporting system.
Design the user interface and data input methods.
Implement the automation logic using VBA.
Test and refine the system based on user feedback.

Review 'Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling'

Show steps

Expand your knowledge of data analysis and business modeling techniques using Excel.

View Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters covering data analysis and business modeling.
Work through the examples provided in the book.
Apply the techniques to real-world datasets.

Contribute to an Excel VBA Project

Show steps

Enhance your skills by contributing to an open-source Excel VBA project.

Browse courses on Excel Macros

Show steps

Find an open-source project that uses Excel VBA.
Review the project's code and documentation.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as bug fixes or new features.
Submit your contributions to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Business Analyst

A business analyst uses data to improve processes and make business recommendations. This role often requires creating reports, dashboards, and other visual aids, for which this course may be useful. This course focuses on automating tasks, which helps business analysts in this way. The course material on creating interactive dashboards with Copilot in Excel, incorporating predictive and scenario analysis, directly translates to the needs of the business analyst. Also, debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor are valuable when developing professional Excel solutions to business problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use data to make recommendations about investments. Many of the responsibilities of a financial analyst involve data manipulation and visualization, all of which can be improved with this class. This course enables the automation of repetitive tasks, which is a core function of many finance roles. The course's focus on using Copilot in Excel to create interactive dashboards, as well as incorporating predictive and scenario analysis, are useful skills for this career field. Additionally, the skills to streamline workflows will enable a financial analyst to work more efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Analyst

Data analysts help businesses make decisions based on an analysis of data. They often create reports and visualizations. This course may be useful to a data analyst because it helps build a foundation in Excel automation and visualiziation. An understanding of how to use VBA to create custom macros and interactive dashboards is very helpful for a data analyst. This course also discusses debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor, which can improve the efficiency of a data analyst's workflow. The course's focus on creating dynamic dashboards will be very useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Operations Analyst

Operations analysts improve the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization's processes. This class may be useful for an operations analyst. This course focuses on using Excel macros to automate repetitive tasks, which helps improve processes. Also, the user form development experience, as well as the focus on debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor, will help an operations analyst work more efficiently and create custom solutions. This course also provides the skills to create interactive dashboards, which are important in reporting for operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Analyst

Management Consultant

A management consultant analyzes an organization and makes recommendations on how to improve its operations. This course may help a management consultant, particularly with regard to data analysis and automation. The course covers using Excel macros to automate repetitive tasks, as well as creating interactive dashboards using Copilot in Excel. This can make data analysis and presentation more efficient for a consultant. Also, the course provides the skills to debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor, which is a valuable skill when developing custom solutions for clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Project Manager

Project managers oversee projects and ensure that they are completed on time and within budget. This role often requires the use of spreadsheets and reporting, and this course may be useful to such a professional. For instance, the course’s focus on user form design and automation can help a project manager develop custom tools. The creation of interactive dashboards is quite useful for reporting. The course also discusses how to debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor, which is useful when developing custom Excel solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Accountant

Accountants manage financial records and reporting. They often use spreadsheets and large datasets in their work, and this course may be useful to them. The course helps build a foundation in Excel automation and visualiziation. This includes the ability to use Excel macros to automate repetitive tasks, which can save time and increase efficiency in this role. The course's training on creating interactive dashboards, as well as debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor, may be helpful for an accountant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market conditions to examine the potential sales of a product or service. This role can often benefit from the use of automation and data visualization, making this course potentially useful. This course covers automating repetitive tasks with Excel macros, which is often useful when parsing datasets. Also, the training on creating interactive dashboards with Copilot in Excel can help market research analysts present their findings. This class also shows how to debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor, which is a valuable skill when developing custom Excel solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Research Associate

Research associates often collect, organize, and analyze data in a variety of fields. This course may be helpful for a research associate because of its focus on automation and data visualization. This course discusses automating repetitive tasks with Excel macros, which allows a research associate to streamline their workflow. Skills such as the creation of interactive dashboards, incorporating predictive and scenario analysis, and using UserForms may all be helpful to a research associate. Learning to debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor will help a research associate develop customized Excel solutions if needed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Statistician

Statisticians analyze data to solve real-world problems. While their work is often done in dedicated statistical software, they often make use of spreadsheets, making portions of this course useful to them. This class is not in the same field as a statistician, but certain skills covered in this course may be helpful. This includes automating tasks using Excel macros, and also creating interactive dashboards and userforms. The debugging and editing of macro code using the VBA editor may be helpful for a statistician working with spreadsheets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Risk Analyst

Risk analysts assess the potential risks to a business or investment. While this course is not directly in the field of risk analysis, some of the skills acquired may be helpful for those working in this role. For instance, this course teaches how to automate repetitive tasks with Excel macros and design interactive dashboards with Copilot in Excel. The course also covers debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor, which may make workflow more efficient for a risk analyst. While not directly related, these skills can be helpful as background.

See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Analyst

Pricing Analyst

Pricing analysts determine the most profitable price points for products and services. This position often requires data analysis and the use of spreadsheets. While not a direct match, portions of this course may prove useful. This course covers techniques for automating repetitive tasks with Excel macros. Also, the course covers debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor. While not at the core of pricing analysis, these skills can make workflows more efficient. Furthermore, the skills to create interactive dashboards may be useful for reporting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pricing Analyst

Sales Operations Analyst

Sales operations analysts optimize the processes of a sales team. They may often use data analysis and reporting in their work. This course, while not in the same field, may prove helpful. This position may benefit from the skills to automate repetitive tasks with Excel macros. The course also provides instruction on how to develop userforms, as well as debug and edit macro code using the VBA editor. Also, creating interactive dashboards with Copilot in Excel is a useful skill for sales reporting. These skills, while not central to the position, may be helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Operations Analyst

Logistics Coordinator

Logistics coordinators manage the movement of goods along the supply chain. They may use spreadsheets and data tools in this process. While it’s important to note that this course is not in the logistics field, some of the skills may be helpful. For instance, this course covers automating repetitive tasks using Excel macros. Also, the skills developed in creating interactive dashboards and user forms may help a logistics coordinator report on their processes. Also, the course covers debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor. This may make workflows more efficient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Coordinator

Human Resources Generalist

Human resources generalists perform a wide variety of tasks that involve employee relations and HR strategy. While this class is not a perfect fit, it may be helpful as HR professionals often use large datasets and spreadsheets. This class focuses on automating repetitive tasks with Excel macros and learning to create interactive dashboards. This course also covers debugging and editing macro code using the VBA editor. While these skills are not at the core of HR work, they can help improve a professional's efficiency.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Generalist

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 Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel.

Excel VBA Programming For Dummies

Save

Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to VBA programming in Excel. It covers the basics of VBA syntax, working with objects, and automating tasks. It's particularly useful for those with little to no prior programming experience. This book serves as a great reference for understanding the fundamentals of VBA before diving into more advanced topics.

Excel VBA Programming For Dummies 5th Edition (For...

Paperback

Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...

Save

Provides a comprehensive guide to data analysis and business modeling using Excel. It covers a wide range of topics, including statistical analysis, forecasting, and optimization. It's particularly useful for those who want to leverage Excel for data-driven decision-making. This book adds more depth to the course by providing advanced techniques for analyzing data and building business models.

Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...

Paperback

Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...

Kindle Edition

Automation & Advanced Techniques with Copilot in Excel

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Automate excel tasks with vba and copilot

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses