Analyzing Data with Excel from edX

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This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge required to use Excel spreadsheets to perform basic data analysis.The course consists of several videos, demos, examples, and hands-on labs to help you learn, and ends with a final assignment project which will help you put what you have learned into practice.

Excel is an important tool when working with data - whether it is for business, marketing, research, or data analysis purposes. This course is targeted at those people who have ambitions in Data Analytics or Data Scientist roles, as well as those who just have a need to use Excel to perform data analysis in their own company or environment.

Learners will gain useful experience in the cleaning and wrangling of data using functions, and in analyzing data using methods such as sorting, filtering, and pivot tables. This course starts with an introduction to spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets and discusses importing data from multiple different formats. During this introduction you will learn to carry out some basic-level data wrangling and data cleaning tasks and then you will expand your knowledge of data analysis via the use of sorting, filtering, and pivot tables in a spreadsheet.

The emphasis is on applied learning and hands-on practice in this course, and with each hands-on lab, you will gain further experience in the manipulation and handling of data and start to understand the important role that spreadsheets can perform in a data analysis environment. The final assignment project will allow you to apply these newly acquired skills to analyze data in a business scenario. By the end of this course, you will have worked with several data sets and spreadsheets and demonstrated the basics of cleaning and analyzing data all without having to learn any code.

This course makes it simple to get started using Excel for data analysis, as it does not require any previous spreadsheet or code-writing experience. The course also does not require you to perform any software downloads or installations. All that is required is a device with a modern web browser, and the ability to use (or create) a Microsoft account to access Excel online at no-cost. Although the hands-on labs steps are specifically related to using ‘Excel for the web’, if you already have the full desktop version of Excel, you should be able to use that to follow along quite easily with the labs.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Review fundamentals of spreadsheet applications
Perform basic spreadsheet tasks
Explain the importance of data quality
Import file data into excel

Filter and sort data
Clean and prepare data
Analyze data using an excel spreadsheet

Review fundamentals of spreadsheet applications
Perform basic spreadsheet tasks
Explain the importance of data quality
Import file data into excel
Filter and sort data
Clean and prepare data
Analyze data using an excel spreadsheet

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines data cleaning and analysis, which are essential skills in roles such as data analyst and data scientist

Develops competency in manipulating and handling data in a spreadsheet environment

Teaches learners how to import and prepare data from multiple sources

Introduces spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets

Utilizes hands-on labs to help learners gain practical experience

Provides a final assignment project to reinforce learning and apply skills

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 Analyzing Data with Excel with these activities:

Attend a data analytics meetup

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Attend a data analytics meetup to connect with other professionals in the field and learn about new trends and developments.

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Find a data analytics meetup in your area
Register for the event
Attend the meetup and network with other attendees

Join a study group for data analysis

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Join a study group for data analysis to collaborate with other learners, share knowledge, and prepare for assessments.

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Find a study group for data analysis
Meet with the study group regularly
Discuss the course material, work on problems together, and prepare for assessments

Follow tutorials on data analysis techniques

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Follow tutorials to expand your knowledge of data analysis techniques and enhance your skills in using Excel.

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Find a tutorial on a specific data analysis technique
Watch the tutorial
Practice the technique

Four other activities

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Volunteer for a data analysis project

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Volunteer for a data analysis project to gain practical experience and apply your skills to real-world problems.

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Find a data analysis project to volunteer for
Contact the organization and express your interest
Contribute to the project by applying your data analysis skills

Create a data analysis spreadsheet

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Create a spreadsheet to practice your data analysis skills and solidify your understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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Choose a data set
Import the data into Excel
Clean and prepare the data
Analyze the data using Excel functions

Participate in a data analysis workshop

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Participate in a data analysis workshop to learn new techniques and enhance your skills in using Excel.

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Find a data analysis workshop
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities

Solve data analysis problems

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Solve data analysis problems to reinforce your understanding of the concepts and techniques covered in the course.

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Find a data set
Identify the problem statement
Analyze the data
Develop a solution

Career center

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

Data Analyst

Data analysts help make informed business decisions by transforming raw data into meaningful insights. This course introduces you to Excel, a powerful tool that data analysts use to organize, clean, and analyze data. By completing this course, you will enhance your data analysis skills and make yourself a more competitive candidate for data analyst positions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Data Scientist

Data scientists use a variety of tools and techniques to extract insights from data. Excel is a common tool used by data scientists for data cleaning, analysis, and visualization. This course provides a solid foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed to succeed in data scientist roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

Business analysts help businesses improve their performance by identifying and solving problems. Excel is widely used by business analysts to analyze data, create reports, and make recommendations. By learning the basics of Excel through this course, you will enhance your ability to perform these tasks and advance your career as a business analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use financial data to make recommendations on investments and financial decisions. Excel is a key tool for financial analysts, as it allows them to perform complex calculations, analyze trends, and create financial models. This course provides a strong foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed to succeed in financial analyst roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Market Researcher

Market researchers gather and analyze data to understand customer needs and preferences. Excel is commonly used by market researchers to organize and analyze survey data, conduct market analysis, and create reports. By learning the basics of Excel through this course, you will enhance your ability to perform these tasks and advance your career as a market researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Operations Analyst

Operations analysts help businesses improve their efficiency and effectiveness. Excel is often used by operations analysts to analyze data, identify bottlenecks, and develop improvement plans. This course provides a solid foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed to succeed in operations analyst roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Analyst

Project Manager

Project managers use a variety of tools and techniques to plan, execute, and deliver projects. Excel is a commonly used tool for project managers to track progress, manage budgets, and create reports. This course provides a good foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed for project management.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Supply Chain Analyst

Supply chain analysts help businesses optimize their supply chains. Excel is a popular tool for supply chain analysts, as it allows them to track inventory, analyze data, and create reports. This course provides a solid foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed to be a successful supply chain analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Analyst

Accountant

Accountants use financial information to help businesses make informed decisions. Excel is extensively used by accountants for tasks such as financial planning, budgeting, and auditing. By completing this course, you will enhance your Excel skills and become more proficient in performing accounting tasks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Accountant

Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure accuracy and compliance. Excel is commonly used by auditors to analyze data, identify discrepancies, and prepare audit reports. This course provides a good foundation in Excel, helping you develop the skills needed to succeed as an auditor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Auditor

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and solutions to help businesses improve their performance. Excel is a widely used tool for consultants, as it allows them to analyze data, create reports, and make recommendations. By completing this course, you will enhance your Excel skills and become a more effective consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Data Entry Clerk

Data entry clerks input and maintain data in computer systems. Some data entry clerks use Excel to enter and organize data, making this course a valuable asset for those seeking to enter or advance in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Entry Clerk

Office Administrator

Office administrators perform a variety of administrative tasks, including data entry, scheduling, and managing office supplies. Having a good foundation in Excel can help office administrators become more efficient in these tasks, making this course a good choice for those in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Office Administrator

Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives assist customers with inquiries and resolve issues. While Excel may not be a core requirement for this role, having proficiency in Excel can enhance a customer service representative's ability to organize and analyze customer data, which may lead to better customer satisfaction and improved problem-solving.

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Marketing Assistant

Marketing assistants support marketing professionals with various tasks, including data entry, social media management, and event planning. Excel is a helpful tool for marketing assistants to organize and analyze marketing data, making this course a valuable asset for those seeking to enter or advance in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Assistant