Data Visualization in Excel from Coursera

In an age now driven by "big data", we need to cut through the noise and present key information in a way that can be quickly consumed and acted upon making data visualization an increasingly important skill. Visualizations need to not only present data in an easy to understand and attractive way, but they must also provide context for the data, tell a story, achieving that fine balance between form and function. Excel has many rivals in this space, but it is still an excellent choice, particularly if it's where your data resides. It offers a wealth of tools for creating visualizations other than charts and the chart options available are constantly increasing and improving, so the newer versions now include waterfall charts, sunburst diagrams and even map charts. But what sets Excel apart is its flexibility, it gives us total creative control over our designs so if needed we could produce our own animated custom chart to tell the right story for our data.

Over five weeks we will explore Excel's rich selection of visualization tools using practical case studies as seen through the eyes of Rohan, an environmental analyst. Rohan is required to produce visualizations that will show trends, forecasts, breakdowns and comparisons for a large variety of environmental data sets. As well as utilising the usual chart types he wants to use conditional formats, sparklines, specialised charts and even create his own animated charts and infographics. In some cases, he will also need to prepare the data using pivot tables to drill down and answer very specific questions. We are going to help him achieve all this and present our finished visualizations in attractive reports and dashboards that use tools like slicers and macros for automation and interactivity.

These are the topics we will cover:

Week 1: Dynamic visualizations with conditional formatting, custom number formatting, sparklines and macros

Week 2: Charting techniques for telling the right story

Week 3: Creating specialised and custom charts

Week 4: Summarising and filtering data with pivot tables and pivot charts

Week 5: Creating interactive dashboards in Excel

This is the second course in our Specialization on Data Analytics and Visualization. The first course: Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis, covers data preparation and cleaning but also teaches some of the prerequisites for this course like tables and named ranges as well as text, lookup and logical functions. To get the most out of this course we would recommend you do the first course or have experience with these topics. In this course we focus on Data Visualization in Excel, join us for this exciting journey.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome and critical information

Data Visualizations using Conditional Formatting, Sparklines and Number Formats

This week we will explore a host of data visualisation tools that do not include charts. We will learn about conditional formatting, including custom conditional formatting using formulas, drop down lists, and macros. We will then move on to learning about sparklines, shapes, and custom number formats.

Mastering charting techniques

This week we will explore a range of options to visualise your data using charts. We will look at standard charts such as line charts, pie charts, and scatter charts – to help you visualise your data. We will also look at charts to add to your standard toolkit such as area charts, donut charts, and bubble charts – which will add that wow factor to your work.

Specialized charts

This week we will explore a range of innovative and creative charts – many of which are new to Excel. These charts include: hierarchy charts, waterfall charts, funnel charts, and geospatial charts. We will also look at customising and creating our charts when we look at population charts and gauge charts – giving you ideas to be innovative and creative.

Create an Interactive Dashboard Using Pivot Charts and Slicers

This week we take a turn into data analytics by exploring Pivot Tables. We will look at how to summarise data with Pivot Tables, as well as how to customise, group, sort, and filter pivot data. We will then look at performing calculations in Pivot Tables. Finally we explore Pivot Charts which help us visualise the data in our Pivot Tables.

Complete the Dashboard with Creative Visualisations and Dynamic Charts

This week we will explore putting all our tools and knowledge together in aesthetic, interactive, and informative dashboards. Putting dashboards together will also help you revise all the tools and concepts that you have gathered along the way. By the end of the week you will be able to incorporate themes, macros, hyperlinks, as well as utilise slicers to make your dashboards interactive.

Final assessment

This final assessment covers all content in weeks 1 to 5.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops data visualization and data analytics skills using Microsoft Excel, which is a widely used professional tool for these domains

Taught by Nicky Bull and Dr. Prashan S. M. Karunaratne, who have extensive experience in teaching and researching data visualization and data analytics

Covers a wide range of topics related to data visualization in Excel, including advanced charting techniques, specialized charts, pivot tables, and interactive dashboards

Suitable for learners with a basic understanding of Excel and an interest in developing their data visualization skills

Provides practical case studies and hands-on exercises to reinforce the concepts and techniques taught in the course

Part of a Specialization on Data Analytics and Visualization, offering a comprehensive learning path in this field

Reviews summary

Excel data visualization: intuitive & engaging

Learners say data visualization with Excel is largely positive, citing many helpful skills, concepts, and engaging assignments. The well received course presents tips and tricks which enable learners to create interactive and visually appealing dashboards. Instructors Nicky Bull and Prashan Karunaratne make challenging concepts easy to understand and showcase their own workarounds for different applications.

Well Paced with Ample Time

"The course content was excellent however the rushed pace of the videos made it loose spontaneity and flow with constant stopping and rewinding non conducive to learning."

"It would be helpful to have the pivot tables weekly module before the 2nd Creative Corner in order to know how to manipulate the online datasets quickly."

Clear and Well Organized

"Very well made content. Good assignment and assesment. As a Professor I found the course very useful for my students and also to help me become a better teacher"

"The Data Visualization in Excel course was incredibly helpful and well-structured."

"The course covers all the basics of Excel data visualization, all the topics are super usefull and it's very easy to follow along."

Worth the time investment

"Excellent course. The material was well presented by both instructors..."

"I love this course so much!! it has got tips and tricks which you can tweak your dashboard to make it looks more interesting!"

"I learned a lot of very useful tools in data visualization and the easy to follow practices are great reference for future usage."

Challenging and Practical

"The way of teaching and how the material and the assessments are presented are so nice and convenient. Recommended for sure!!"

"I learned so much in this course! As a regular PivotTable user, I still gained so much insight even from this module. I've already been able to use what I've learned in my job."

"The course is very well put together. I have been previously working with nicely layed out reports but I have learned many small tricks that can make your dashboards stand out."

Industry Knowledgeable

"Dr. P and Nicky are absolutely fabulous- professional, articulate, and fun."

"I really enjoyed and learned new skills. it's awesome... Thanks instructors."

"Instructors are really great and the way course is designed is commendable."

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 Data Visualization in Excel with these activities:

Connect with experienced professionals

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Provides opportunities to gain insights and guidance from experienced professionals in the field of data visualization

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Identify individuals with expertise in data visualization
Reach out to potential mentors and request mentorship

Read 'The Visual Display of Quantitative Information' by Edward Tufte

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Provides a solid foundation in the principles and best practices of data visualization

View Beautiful Evidence on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of the book
Read the book, taking notes and highlighting important passages
Complete the exercises and activities provided in the book

Organize course materials

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Improves organization and enhances the learning process

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Gather all the materials, including videos, lecture notes, and assignments
Create a system for organizing these materials, both physically and digitally

Six other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all nine activities

Conditional Formatting

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Solidifies understanding of conditional formatting for later use in this course

Browse courses on Conditional Formatting

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Review notes on conditional formatting techniques
Complete a practice exercise involving conditional formatting

Data visualization with Sparklines

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Introduces sparklines, a less common but equally powerful data visualization method

Browse courses on Sparklines

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Find a tutorial on creating sparklines in Excel
Follow the tutorial to create a sparkline chart

Charting techniques for different data presentations

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Provides essential practice in selecting and using appropriate charts for various data presentations

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Review the different types of charts available in Excel
Complete a series of exercises that involve creating charts for different types of data

Pie Chart infographic

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Encourages creative thinking about data visualization and presentation

Browse courses on Pie Charts

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Gather data and select a topic for the infographic
Create a pie chart to represent the data
Design and create an infographic that incorporates the pie chart

Excel VBA and Macros workshop

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Complements the course content by delving deeper into VBA and macros for advanced data manipulation and automation

Browse courses on Excel VBA

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Attend an in-person or virtual workshop on Excel VBA and macros
Engage with the instructor and participants to learn and apply VBA and macros in practice

Interactive dashboard with slicers and macros

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Provides opportunities to synthesize and apply the skills and knowledge learned in the course.

Browse courses on Interactive Dashboards

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Gather data and determine the metrics to be displayed on the dashboard
Design and develop the dashboard using slicers and macros
Populate the dashboard with data and test its functionality

Career center

Learners who complete Data Visualization in Excel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. They use this information to make recommendations and solve business problems. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate data insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst helps organizations improve their performance by analyzing data and identifying opportunities for improvement. They use this information to develop recommendations and solutions that can help businesses achieve their goals. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate business insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst helps businesses make informed financial decisions by analyzing data and identifying trends and patterns. They use this information to develop recommendations and solutions that can help businesses achieve their financial goals. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate financial insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist uses data to solve business problems and develop new products and services. They use a variety of tools and techniques to analyze data, including statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate data insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Market Researcher

A Market Researcher collects and analyzes data to understand consumer behavior and trends. They use this information to develop marketing strategies and campaigns that can help businesses reach their target audience. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate market research insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst uses mathematical and analytical techniques to solve business problems. They use data to develop models and simulations that can help businesses optimize their operations and make better decisions. The Data Visualization in Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to be successful in this role, such as how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate operations research insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Software Engineer

A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. They use a variety of programming languages and tools to create software that meets the needs of businesses and consumers. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate technical insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and develops websites and web applications. They use a variety of programming languages and tools to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Web Developers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate website performance insights clearly and effectively.

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Graphic designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Graphic Designers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that are both visually appealing and informative.

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Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products and services. They work with a team of engineers, designers, and marketers to bring new products to market and ensure that they are successful. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Product Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate product performance insights clearly and effectively.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager plans, executes, and closes projects. They work with a team of stakeholders to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Project Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate project performance insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with a team of marketers to create marketing materials, manage social media accounts, and track campaign performance. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Marketing Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate marketing performance insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads and motivates a sales team to achieve sales targets. They work with a team of sales representatives to develop sales strategies, track sales performance, and close deals. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Sales Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate sales performance insights clearly and effectively.

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Operations Manager

An Operations Manager plans and executes the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with a team of employees to ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Operations Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate operations performance insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager

Human Resources Manager

A Human Resources Manager develops and implements HR policies and procedures. They work with a team of HR professionals to recruit, hire, and train employees. The Data Visualization in Excel course may be useful for Human Resources Managers who want to learn how to use Excel to create visualizations that communicate HR performance insights clearly and effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Manager