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Problem Solving with Excel

4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 5,394 ratings
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Alex Mannella

This course explores Excel as a tool for solving business problems. In this course you will learn the basic functions of excel through guided demonstration. Each week you will build on your excel skills and be provided an opportunity to practice what you’ve learned. Finally, you will have a chance to put your knowledge to work in a final project. Please note, the content in this course was developed using a Windows version of Excel 2013.

This course was created by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP with an address at 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10017.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Overview of Excel
In this module, you will learn the basics of Excel navigation and Excel basic functionality. You will learn how to navigate the basic Excel screen including using formulas, subtotals and text formatting. We will provide you an opportunity to perform a problem solving exercise using basic Excel skills. Note: We recommend viewing videos in full-screen mode by clicking the double arrow in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on practice with Excel, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and skills
Emphasizes data cleansing, a crucial skill for working with real-world data
Covers advanced Excel formulas, including statistical formulas and financial calculations
Taught by instructors from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a renowned consulting firm
Suitable for beginners looking to build a foundation in Excel

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Reviews summary

Practical excel for business problem solving

Learners say this course is a game-changer for improving efficiency at work, offering a solid introduction to using Excel for business problems. Many found the explanations for key functions like VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables incredibly clear and easy to follow. The practical examples and exercises, including the final project, were highly helpful for applying skills immediately. The course is well-structured and progresses nicely, though some felt certain parts were basic for those with prior experience. A consistent point raised is that the course uses Excel 2013, which is considered a bit dated now, although reviewers note the core concepts remain valid.
Covers essentials, not deep advanced topics.
"My main feedback is that some parts felt a little basic if you already have some Excel experience."
"It's not a deep dive into advanced topics, but for practical business problem solving, it's very effective."
Explanations often clear, but sometimes rushed.
"The VLOOKUP explanation was crystal clear..."
"The explanations are easy to follow..."
"VLOOKUP, IF statements, Pivot Tables - all explained clearly."
"...some of the explanations a bit rushed."
"...some explanations were hard to follow."
Well-structured, progresses nicely.
"A solid introduction... The content covers the basics and progresses nicely."
"Perfect course if you need to learn Excel for work. It starts from the ground up but moves quickly into useful stuff..."
"The course is well-structured."
Highly useful for business problems.
"This course was a game-changer for me! ... Highly recommend for professionals needing to boost their Excel skills."
"Excellent course for getting a handle on practical Excel functions like VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables. ...exactly what I needed for my job."
"Good coverage of essential Excel tools for problem solving. ...examples are relevant to business scenarios."
"Perfect course if you need to learn Excel for work. ...Really improved my efficiency at work."
Some needed more hands-on practice.
"...I needed more hands-on practice than provided."
Based on an outdated version of Excel.
"...it's based on Excel 2013, which is a bit dated now..."
"Wish they would update the course to a more recent version."
"...using Excel 2013 examples is really outdated."
"...it uses an older version (2013) is a drawback..."

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 Problem Solving with Excel with these activities:
Read the book 'Excel for Dummies'
Reading this book will provide you with a comprehensive overview of Excel and its features.
View Excel 2010 For Dummies eBook Set on Amazon
Show steps
  • Purchase or borrow the book
  • Read the book
  • Take notes on the key concepts
Review Excel Documentation
Review Excel documentation and tutorials to refresh your knowledge of Excel's functions and features.
Show steps
  • Go to the Microsoft Excel website.
  • Click on the 'Support' tab.
  • Read through the documentation for the specific functions you need to review.
  • Watch tutorials on YouTube or other video-sharing sites.
Follow a tutorial on using Excel for data cleaning
Following a tutorial on data cleaning will help you learn the techniques for preparing data for analysis.
Browse courses on Excel Functions
Show steps
  • Find a tutorial on data cleaning in Excel
  • Watch the tutorial and follow the instructions
  • Practice the techniques on your own dataset
16 other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 19 activities
Join a Study Group
Join a study group to discuss the course material and work on problems together.
Show steps
  • Find a study group that meets your schedule and learning style.
  • Attend study group meetings regularly.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions.
  • Work together on problem sets and assignments.
Excel Study Group
Engage with peers to discuss Excel concepts, solve problems, and share knowledge, fostering a supportive learning environment.
Show steps
  • Form a study group with other Excel learners.
  • Meet regularly to discuss course materials and practice exercises.
  • Collaborate on projects and provide feedback to each other.
  • Attend group study sessions led by a facilitator.
Perform exercises on Excel formulas
Working through exercises on Excel formulas will help you solidify your understanding of how to use them in practice.
Browse courses on Excel Formulas
Show steps
  • Access the online Excel exercises
  • Choose an exercise to work on
  • Follow the instructions to complete the exercise
  • Check your answers
Practice Excel Exercises
Practice Excel exercises to reinforce your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.
Show steps
  • Download practice exercises from the course materials.
  • Work through the exercises step-by-step.
  • Check your answers against the provided solutions.
Excel Practice: VLOOKUP & Data Cleansing Exercise
Reinforce your understanding of VLOOKUP and data cleansing techniques by practicing on a real-world dataset.
Show steps
  • Download the provided dataset.
  • Follow the step-by-step instructions to perform VLOOKUP and data cleansing.
  • Check your results against the provided answer key.
Practice using Excel pivot tables
Practicing with pivot tables will help you develop the skills needed to summarize and analyze data effectively.
Browse courses on Excel Functions
Show steps
  • Access the online Excel exercises
  • Choose an exercise to work on
  • Follow the instructions to complete the exercise
  • Check your answers
Excel Tutorial: Master Pivot Tables
Enhance your Excel skills by learning to create and use pivot tables effectively for data analysis and visualization.
Browse courses on Pivot Tables
Show steps
  • Find a guided tutorial on creating and using pivot tables.
  • Follow along with the tutorial, practicing the steps on your own dataset.
  • Create a pivot table to solve a real-world business problem.
Volunteer at a non-profit organization that uses Excel
Volunteering at a non-profit organization will allow you to use your Excel skills to make a positive impact.
Browse courses on Excel
Show steps
  • Find a non-profit organization that uses Excel
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Volunteer for a project that uses Excel
  • Use your Excel skills to help the organization
Attend an Excel Workshop
Attend an Excel workshop to learn from experts and improve your skills.
Show steps
  • Find an Excel workshop that focuses on the topics you need to learn.
  • Register for the workshop and pay the registration fee.
  • Attend the workshop and participate actively.
  • Take notes and ask questions during the workshop.
Attend a workshop on advanced Excel techniques
Attending a workshop will allow you to learn from an expert and get hands-on experience with advanced Excel techniques.
Browse courses on Advanced Excel Techniques
Show steps
  • Find a workshop on advanced Excel techniques
  • Register for the workshop
  • Attend the workshop
Create a financial model in Excel
Creating a financial model will help you apply your Excel skills to a real-world business problem.
Browse courses on Excel Functions
Show steps
  • Gather the necessary data
  • Build the financial model
  • Validate the model
  • Present the model to stakeholders
Create an Excel Workbook
Create an Excel workbook to apply your skills and solve a real-world problem.
Show steps
  • Identify a problem that you can solve using Excel.
  • Design a workbook that includes the necessary worksheets and formulas.
  • Enter data into the workbook and apply formulas.
  • Format the workbook and create charts and graphs.
  • Share the workbook with others for feedback.
Excel Project: Financial Analysis Dashboard
Apply your Excel knowledge to create a comprehensive dashboard for financial analysis and decision-making.
Browse courses on Financial Analysis
Show steps
  • Gather financial data from various sources.
  • Cleanse and prepare the data for analysis.
  • Create charts, graphs, and tables to visualize the data.
  • Develop formulas and calculations for financial analysis.
  • Present the dashboard to stakeholders.
Mentor a junior Excel user
Mentoring a junior Excel user will allow you to reinforce your own knowledge and skills.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Find a junior Excel user to mentor
  • Meet with your mentee regularly
  • Answer their questions
  • Provide them with feedback
  • Help them develop their Excel skills
Excel Macro Automation Project
Develop a project that automates a repetitive task using Excel macros, enhancing your efficiency and productivity.
Browse courses on Excel Macros
Show steps
  • Identify a repetitive task that can be automated.
  • Learn the basics of Excel macro programming.
  • Write and record a macro to automate the task.
  • Test and refine the macro.
  • Document the macro for future use.
Attend a networking event for Excel users
Attending a networking event will allow you to connect with other Excel users and learn about their experiences.
Browse courses on Networking
Show steps
  • Find a networking event for Excel users
  • Register for the event
  • Attend the event
  • Network with other Excel users
  • Learn about their experiences with Excel

Career center

Learners who complete Problem Solving with Excel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Accountant
Accountants are responsible for a wide range of tasks related to financial recording and reporting. They may prepare financial statements, manage budgets, or conduct audits. Accountants often use Excel to analyze financial data, create reports, and make recommendations. The Problem Solving with Excel course can provide you with the skills you need to succeed as an Accountant. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data entry, data analysis, and financial modeling.
See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use Excel to build models, analyze data, and make recommendations. They may work in a variety of industries, including investment banking, corporate finance, and private equity. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Financial Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, financial modeling, and valuation.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use Excel to clean, analyze, and visualize data. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Data Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data cleaning, data analysis, and data visualization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts use Excel to model business processes, analyze data, and make recommendations. They may work in a variety of industries, including consulting, banking, and technology. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Business Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as process mapping, data analysis, and financial modeling.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst
Management Consultant
Management Consultants use Excel to analyze data, solve problems, and make recommendations. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Management Consultant. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, problem solving, and financial modeling.
See salaries and explore the career path for Management Consultant
Operations Research Analyst
Operations Research Analysts use Excel to model and analyze complex systems. They may work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Operations Research Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, simulation, and optimization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst
Statistician
Statisticians use Excel to analyze data and make inferences. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, and education. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Statistician. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, statistical modeling, and forecasting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use Excel to clean, analyze, and visualize data. They may work in a variety of industries, including healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Data Scientist. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data cleaning, data analysis, and data visualization.
See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist
Auditor
Auditors use Excel to review financial statements and ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. They may also perform other tasks, such as risk assessment and fraud investigation. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Auditor. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, financial modeling, and risk assessment.
See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts use Excel to create and manage budgets. They may also perform other tasks, such as financial planning and forecasting. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Budget Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, financial planning, and forecasting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Budget Analyst
Excel Developer
Excel Developers use Excel to create and modify macros and add-ins. They may also perform other tasks, such as data analysis and visualization. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Excel Developer. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, macro programming, and add-in development.
See salaries and explore the career path for Excel Developer
Financial Planner
Financial Planners use Excel to create and manage financial plans. They may also perform other tasks, such as investment planning and retirement planning. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Financial Planner. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, financial planning, and investment planning.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Planner
Risk Manager
Risk Managers use Excel to assess and manage risks. They may also perform other tasks, such as risk modeling and risk reporting. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Risk Manager. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, risk modeling, and risk reporting.
See salaries and explore the career path for Risk Manager
Investment Analyst
Investment Analysts use Excel to analyze investment opportunities. They may also perform other tasks, such as portfolio management and financial modeling. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Investment Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, financial modeling, and portfolio management.
See salaries and explore the career path for Investment Analyst
Pricing Analyst
Pricing Analysts use Excel to analyze pricing data and make pricing recommendations. They may also perform other tasks, such as market research and competitive analysis. The Problem Solving with Excel course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Pricing Analyst. You will learn how to use Excel to perform tasks such as data analysis, pricing analysis, and competitive analysis.
See salaries and explore the career path for Pricing Analyst

Reading list

We've selected nine 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 Problem Solving with Excel .
Cover image
Microsoft Excel Pivot Table Data Crunching (Office...
Save
Provides step-by-step instructions on how to create interactive dashboards and reports in Excel. It would be especially useful for learners who want to learn how to use Excel to analyze data and create visualizations.
Microsoft Excel Pivot Table Data Crunching (Office...
Paperback
$$
Microsoft Excel Pivot Table Data Crunching (Office...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Advancing Into Analytics
Save
Covers a wide range of data analysis techniques that can be performed in Excel. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Excel to solve business problems.
Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R
Paperback
$$
Advancing into Analytics: From Excel to Python and R
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Excel VBA Programming For Dummies
Save
Teaches how to use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate tasks in Excel. It would be especially useful for learners who want to learn how to create custom Excel functions and macros.
Excel VBA Programming For Dummies 5th Edition (For...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Excel Dashboards & Reports For Dummies
Save
Covers advanced Excel techniques that can help learners to become more efficient and productive. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Excel to solve complex problems.
Excel Dashboards & Reports For Dummies (For Dummies...
Paperback
$$
Excel Dashboards & Reports for Dummies
Paperback
$$
Excel Dashboards & Reports for Dummies
Paperback
$$
Excel Dashboards & Reports For Dummies
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...
Save
Provides a practical guide to using Excel for business analysis. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Excel to analyze data and make business decisions.
Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...
Paperback
$$
Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Intermediate Futures And Options: An Active...
Save
Comprehensive reference for VBA developers who want to learn how to create custom Excel functions and macros. It would be especially useful for learners who want to learn how to automate tasks in Excel.
Intermediate Futures and Options: An Active...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Microsoft Excel 365 Bible
Save
Comprehensive guide to using Microsoft Excel 2019. It covers all the basics as well as more advanced topics. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Excel to solve business problems.
Microsoft Excel 365 Bible
Paperback
$$
Microsoft Excel 365 Bible
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Python for Data Analysis
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to using the Pandas library for data manipulation in Python. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Python to analyze data and create visualizations.
Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with...
Paperback
$$
Python for Data Analysis
Kindle Edition
$$
Python for Data Analysis: Data Wrangling with...
Paperback
$$$
Cover image
Interactive Web-Based Data Visualization with R,...
Save
Provides a comprehensive guide to using the Plotly library for interactive data visualization in Python. It would be particularly helpful for learners who want to learn how to use Python to create web-based visualizations.
Interactive Web-Based Data Visualization with R,...
Paperback
$$$
Interactive Web-Based Data Visualization with R,...
Kindle Edition
$$$

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Rating
4.7 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
Approx. 20 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
PwC
Instructor
Alex Mannella
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a collection called Data Analysis and Presentation Skills: the PwC Approach. It's comprised of five courses:
  1. Problem Solving with Excel (viewing)
  2. Effective Business Presentations with Powerpoint
  3. Data Visualization with Advanced Excel
  4. Data-driven Decision Making
  5. Data Analysis and Presentation Skills: the PwC Approach Final Project
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides hands-on practice with Excel, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and skills
Emphasizes data cleansing, a crucial skill for working with real-world data
Covers advanced Excel formulas, including statistical formulas and financial calculations
Taught by instructors from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, a renowned consulting firm
Suitable for beginners looking to build a foundation in Excel
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