Microsoft Excel: Data Analysis with Functions, Dashboards and What-If Analysis Tools

Microsoft Excel Training Series | Level 3

Course Details

Duration: 2 days (9 am – 4 pm)

Microsoft^® Excel^® Versions: 2013 | 2016 | 2019 | 365 (Windows)

Delivery Methods (Instructor-led): Live classroom (LC) | Virtual classroom (VC)

Course Dates: August 24/25, 2021 (Virtual classroom) | View schedule 

Course Fee: $495 CDN per person (Virtual classroom), $545 CDN per person (Bring your own device for live classroom courses) or $595 CDN per person + HST (Avantix Learning provides device for live classroom courses)*

Timing: Public scheduled courses run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Eastern Time).

Virtual classroom courses: Our instructor-led virtual classroom courses are delivered in a virtual classroom environment. Students will be sent a virtual classroom invitation prior to the course.

Live classroom courses: Our instructor-led live classroom (in-person) courses are held in downtown Toronto at the Toronto Star Building, 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801. Some courses are also held at an alternate downtown Toronto location.

Custom training: This course may be delivered at your site or ours as an instructor-led or virtual classroom solution. Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca for more information including savings for custom group training.

Course Overview

This Microsoft Excel course is designed for the user who wants to learn to use more advanced Excel features and functions including trend functions, forecast functions, text functions, date functions, time functions, lookup functions, logical functions, and information functions. While working on hands-on examples, students will also learn to use advanced pivot table techniques, create dashboards and use what-if analysis tools including Goal Seek, Scenario Manager, one and two input Data Tables and Solver. Throughout this course, the instructor will include numerous tips, tricks and shortcuts. Each student will also receive a full course manual.

Prerequisite: Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced or equivalent knowledge and skills.

Next course(s) in this series: Microsoft Excel: Introduction to Power Query to Get and Transform Data, Microsoft Excel: Essential Features and Functions in Excel 365 or Microsoft Excel: Introduction to VBA (Visual Basic for Applications).

Related training: View all Microsoft Excel courses >

INCLUDED IN THIS COURSE

• Comprehensive course manual or published book
• Keyboard shortcuts quick reference
• Sample and exercise files
• Refreshments (for classes conducted in Avantix Learning classrooms)
• Certificate of completion
• Follow-up email support

Course Topics

Looking Up Matching Values

• Combining INDEX and MATCH functions as an alternative to VLOOKUP
• Automating VLOOKUP formulas to find columns based on matching field names
• Entering data using the CHOOSE function with numeric values
• Using multiple criteria with SUMIFS and COUNTIFs
• Creating formulas with SUMPRODUCT

Using Logical and IS Functions

• Creating nested formulas with IF and logical functions
• Using IS functions with the IF function
• Writing formulas to highlight data using logical and IS functions and conditional formatting

Dealing with Errors

• Dealing with errors using the IFERROR or ISERROR functions

Finding Top Values and Ranking

• Calculating top values such as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest values
• Highlighting top values using conditional formatting
• Ranking numbers from highest to lowest

Using TREND and FORECAST Functions

• TREND vs FORECAST functions
• Using the TREND function
• Using different forecast functions

Creating Dependent Drop-Down Lists

• Creating dynamic drop-down lists using expanding value lists
• Creating dependent or cascading drop-down lists that change depending on another value

Combining, Separating and Formatting Text Strings

• Using text functions to manipulate text strings (8+ text functions)
• Extracting text strings from from the left, middle or right of cells
• Finding and replacing text using functions
• Joining strings of text from two or more cells
• Separating data into multiple columns using text functions
• Changing case using text functions
• Removing extra characters from data

Performing Date Calculations

• Understanding how Excel interprets dates
• Entering valid dates in Excel
• Converting invalid dates into valid dates
• Using date functions to manipulate dates (10+ date functions)
• Extracting date increments from cells such as year, month and day
• Calculating the number of days or working days between two dates
• Calculating the date a specific number of working days from a date
• Finding the last day in the current month or a future month
• Creating calculations for fiscal months and quarters
• Using conditional formatting to highlight data within specific date periods

Performing Time Calculations

• Entering valid times in Excel
• Understanding how Excel interprets times
• Calculating the difference between times
• Working with hours, minutes and seconds

Using Advanced Pivot Table Techniques

• Generating pivot tables using dynamic named ranges
• Creating calculated fields in pivot tables
• Calculating running percent totals in pivot tables
• Summarizing pivot table data by groups such as date or number intervals
• Moving pivot tables and charts to other sheets
• Generating pivot charts quickly using keyboard shortcuts
• Creating pivot tables from related data on different sheets (2016 and later versions)

 Creating Dashboards

• Common components and functions used in dashboards
• Creating dashboards that include multiple pivot tables and pivot charts
• Setting dashboard components to consistent sizes
• Connecting slicers to multiple pivot tables
• Tips for formatting dashboards

Creating Array Formulas

• Advantages of traditional array formulas
• Recognizing traditional array formulas
• Creating and editing array formulas

Performing What-If Analysis with Data Tables, Goal Seek and Solver

• Creating one variable data tables to experiment with different values
• Using two inputs to create variable data tables
• Using Excel’s Goal Seek to test values to achieve a desired result
• Installing Solver for what-if analysis
• Defining and solving a simple problem using Solver
• Setting parameters

Comparing Multiple Scenarios with the Scenario Manager

• Adding and saving scenarios to test different possible outcomes such as best case and worst case
• Generating a summary of scenarios for comparison
• Tips when working with the Scenario Manager in Excel

*Prices subject to change

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 (Toronto Star Building), Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some live classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom training on a date that's convenient for you.

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