Microsoft Copilot for Excel: AI-Powered Data Analysis from Coursera

This is a hands-on, project-based course designed to help you leverage Copilot in Microsoft Excel to solve real-world data analytics problems.

We’ll start by reviewing Microsoft Copilot’s basic features and limitations, compare strengths and weaknesses against GenAI tools like ChatGPT, and get you up and running with Copilot for Microsoft 365 on your machine.

From there, we’ll dive into each of Copilot’s core use cases for data management and analysis. You’ll practice adding new formula columns using natural language, applying conditional formatting rules to highlight key data points, and analyzing data to find insights using pivot tables and charts.

Last but not least, we’ll showcase how to use Copilot’s generative AI engine for more advanced use cases, including writing dynamic array formulas and generating Python code within Excel.

Throughout the course, you’ll play the role of an HR Admin at ACME Corporation, a global manufacturing company. Using the skills you learn throughout the course, you’ll manipulate employee data, monitor performance metrics, and make data-driven recommendations to your HR supervisor.

If you're an Excel user looking to add Copilot to your data analytics workflow, this is the course for you!

What's inside

Syllabus

Intro to Microsoft Copilot

In this module we'll introduce the course project and curriculum, set expectations, and provide the resource files you'll need to follow along from home. We'll introduce Copilot for Excel 365, review key features and limitations, and compare it against popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides hands-on experience with Copilot in Excel, enabling learners to solve real-world data analytics problems, which is highly relevant for professionals

Covers core use cases like adding formula columns, applying conditional formatting, and analyzing data with pivot tables and charts, which are essential skills

Explores advanced use cases, including writing dynamic array formulas and generating Python code within Excel, which gives learners an edge in innovation

Requires learners to have Microsoft 365 and Copilot for Microsoft 365 on their machines, which may pose a barrier to some students

Compares Copilot's strengths and weaknesses against GenAI tools like ChatGPT, which offers unique perspectives that may add color to other topics

Asks learners to play the role of an HR Admin at ACME Corporation, which may not be relevant to learners outside of human resources

Reviews summary

Mastering microsoft copilot for excel

Based on the course description, this course offers a hands-on, project-based approach (positive) to learning Microsoft Copilot for Excel. It covers core use cases (positive) like adding formulas and analyzing data, and explores advanced features (positive) including dynamic arrays and generating code. Learners should be aware it requires Microsoft 365 Copilot (neutral) and it provides a useful comparison to other AI tools like ChatGPT (positive).

Needs M365 Copilot access

"You must have access to Microsoft 365 Copilot."

"Be sure you have the correct license before starting."

"The course depends on having the specific software."

Compares Copilot to other AI

"The comparison with ChatGPT was useful context."

"Helps understand Copilot's specific strengths."

"Provides clarity on where Copilot fits in the AI landscape."

Explores more complex uses

"Includes advanced topics like dynamic arrays."

"Found the section on generating Python code interesting."

"Goes beyond the basics of Copilot's interface."

Practical application via project

"The HR project scenario provides practical application."

"Learning through the hands-on activities is effective."

"Applying skills in a simulated environment helps solidify understanding."

Covers essential AI functions

"It covers the main ways to use Copilot in Excel."

"Helpful for formula suggestions and data manipulation."

"Shows how to use AI for basic analysis tasks."

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 Microsoft Copilot for Excel: AI-Powered Data Analysis with these activities:

Review Excel Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of core Excel concepts like formulas, functions, and data manipulation techniques to prepare for using Copilot effectively.

Browse courses on Excel

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Review basic Excel functions (SUM, AVERAGE, IF).
Practice creating and formatting tables.
Familiarize yourself with common Excel shortcuts.

Read 'Excel 2019 Bible'

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Gain a deeper understanding of Excel's capabilities, which will allow you to better leverage Copilot's AI-powered features.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read chapters on formulas and functions.
Explore sections on data analysis and visualization.
Practice the examples provided in the book.

Practice Excel Formula Creation

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Sharpen your formula-writing skills to better understand and validate Copilot's formula suggestions.

Browse courses on Excel Formulas

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Create formulas using different functions (e.g., SUMIF, VLOOKUP).
Practice debugging common formula errors.
Experiment with array formulas.

Four other activities

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Read 'Data Smart'

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Learn data science principles within Excel to better understand the insights Copilot generates.

View Leadership Wise on Amazon

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Read chapters on statistical analysis and modeling.
Practice the examples using your own data.
Compare your results with Copilot's suggestions.

Create a Data Analysis Report with Copilot

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Apply your knowledge by creating a data analysis report using Copilot to generate insights and visualizations.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Choose a dataset relevant to your interests.
Use Copilot to generate pivot tables and charts.
Write a summary of your findings.
Share your report with peers for feedback.

Follow Advanced Excel Tutorials

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Explore advanced Excel features and techniques to expand your skillset beyond what's covered in the course.

Browse courses on Advanced Excel

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Find tutorials on topics like Power Query or Power Pivot.
Follow along with the tutorial examples.
Apply the techniques to your own datasets.

Automate a Task with Copilot and Excel

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Identify a repetitive task in your workflow and use Copilot to automate it using Excel formulas or Python scripts.

Browse courses on Automation

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Identify a task that can be automated.
Use Copilot to generate the necessary formulas or scripts.
Test and refine your automation solution.
Document your process for future reference.

Career center

Learners who complete Microsoft Copilot for Excel: AI-Powered Data Analysis will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A data analyst uses data to help organizations make better decisions, and a course in Microsoft Copilot for Excel helps build a foundation for this work. Using Excel, which this course focuses on, data analysts often manipulate data, analyze it for insights, and communicate findings. This course teaches how to leverage Copilot in Excel to perform these tasks more efficiently, including using natural language to add formula columns, apply conditional formatting, and generate pivot tables and charts. This course is especially helpful for data analysts looking to improve their skills with analysis including generating recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

Business analysts use data to improve processes, products, services, and software. A course that develops skills in data analysis using Excel, which is emphasized in this course, helps a business analyst perform this work. This course focuses on using Copilot to manage and analyze data in Excel, which will be useful in a business analyst's work, especially as many professionals use spreadsheets daily. The course also demonstrates how to use Copilot for insights using pivot tables and charts, skills essential for a business analyst. The focus on practical application with real-world project scenarios makes this course particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts play a crucial role in guiding investment decisions and assessing financial performance. They often rely on data analysis tools like Excel, which is the focus of this course. This course, aimed at utilizing Copilot for Excel, will provide skills helpful to a financial analyst, including data manipulation, analysis, and the generation of insights. The course's emphasis on using tools in Excel to create formulas, format cells, and generate reports, makes this course very useful. This course will help in improving and automating financial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Management Consultant

Management consultants often utilize data to help organizations improve business processes and performance. A course that emphasizes the use of Copilot to perform data analysis in Excel, is helpful for this work. Management consultants can use these skills to analyze data, find insights, and make data-driven recommendations. The course's focus on manipulating data, generating reports, and using pivot tables and charts is directly applicable to what a consultant needs when working with clients. The course provides practical experience with a real world project, which also helps prepare one for this kind of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant

Operations Analyst

An operations analyst improves processes and efficiency within a company, often by assessing performance metrics, and a course focused on analyzing data with Excel may be useful. Excel is a very commonly used tool in this field, and this course focuses on leveraging Copilot to enhance data management and analysis in Excel. They will use the skills in this course to manipulate data, finding insights, and make recommendations. The focus on using Excel to create formulas, pivot tables, and generate reports, makes this course especially useful for operations analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Analyst

Sales Analyst

Sales analysts analyze sales data to identify trends, assess performance, and make recommendations to improve sales strategies. They often leverage tools like Excel for data analysis, and a course in Copilot for Excel will help with this task. A sales analyst can use this course to help optimize data manipulation, perform analysis, and create reports. This course helps users apply formulas, create charts, and highlight important data points, all with the assistance of Copilot's generative AI engine. This will help sales analysts analyze data more efficiently and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Analyst

Human Resources Specialist

A human resources specialist works within an organization's human resources department and often does work related to data. This course, focused on using Microsoft Copilot for Excel to analyze data provides a helpful set of skills for this role. The course's project-based focus on analyzing employee data and making data-driven recommendations aligns directly with the type of work an HR specialist does. They can use formulas, sort and filter, highlight important information and gain insights. This course emphasizes using Copilot to perform these actions in Excel and may be useful in the day-to-day work of a human resources specialist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Marketing Analyst

Marketing analysts study market and marketing conditions to help an organization optimize their activities for the best outcome. This work often requires the gathering and analysis of data, for which this course in Copilot for Excel may be useful. The course helps the user use Copilot to manage and analyze data, including using natural language to add formulas, apply conditional formatting, and analyze data with charts and pivot tables. This will help a marketing analyst understand marketing trends and performance. This kind of workflow helps with making recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Analyst

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply chain analysts assess efficiency, manage inventory, and improve processes within an organization's supply chain. These professionals use data to make informed decisions, and a course in Microsoft Copilot for Excel may help with this task. They can use the skills taught in this course to manipulate data, gain insights, and make recommendations, all using Excel's features. This course will help a supply chain analyst improve their ability to analyze data, generate reports, and understand important metrics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Market Research Analyst

Market research analysts study market conditions to assess the potential sales of a product or service. This course, focused on using Microsoft Copilot for Excel, may be helpful for the data analysis aspects of this role. They employ data analysis software, such as Excel, to interpret their findings, which this course is centered on. A market research analyst can use the skills taught in this course to manage, analyze, and gain insights from market data, using Copilot to generate pivot tables, charts, and recommendations. Skills in manipulating data and generating insights are crucial for this role, and this course may help develop those skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Research Associate

Research associates conduct research and analyze data, often for an organization or institution. This course focused on Microsoft Copilot for Excel may be useful for the data analysis aspects of research work. The skills taught in this course, including using Copilot to create formulas, apply formatting, and find insights from data, will help a research associate perform their work more effectively. The course content will assist in data cleaning and data driven recommendations, which help to generate and refine research insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Project Manager

Project managers plan and manage projects, often using data to assess timelines, budgets, and resources. This course on Microsoft Copilot for Excel may be useful for the data analysis aspects of project management. The skills in this course, focused on manipulating and analyzing data within Excel, help to create reports, charts, and make data driven recommendations. Project managers often use spreadsheets to track their projects, and the focus on using Copilot in Excel to enhance productivity is valuable. This course may help any project manager looking to improve their ability to analyze project related data.

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Actuary

Actuaries use their knowledge of math, statistics, and finance to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. While they may use more specialized software, they also often use spreadsheets and data tools such as Excel, which this course focuses on. Actuaries could use the skills taught in this course to explore datasets, perform calculations, and develop insights in a familiar environment like Excel. The course may be useful for learning how to manipulate and understand data. Actuaries often need to understand and interpret data, and the skills taught in this course help build this ability.

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Statistician

Statisticians are professionals who gather, analyze, and interpret numerical data. While statisticians may use more specialized tools, they also often use spreadsheets and data tools such as Excel, which is the topic of this course. A statistician can use this course to improve their ability to manipulate data, identify trends, and gain insights from their datasets. This course may be helpful in improving a statistician's efficiency when working with data in Excel. It introduces a number of data analysis skills that can be used in daily tasks.

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Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerks perform tasks such as data entry and basic data verification within an organization. This course may be useful for improving their data handling skills and efficiency in Excel, which is the subject of the course. Even though much of the role may be focused on basic data entry, this course can help them use tools within the software to improve their efficiency. The course's focus on using Copilot to generate formulas, format cells, and organize data may help a data entry clerk enhance their workflow, and is a good introduction to data analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Entry Clerk

Microsoft Copilot for Excel

AI-Powered Data Analysis

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Mastering microsoft copilot for excel

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