Introduction

In today's data-driven business environment, Microsoft Excel remains an indispensable and powerful tool for data analysis, manipulation, and reporting, serving as the foundational platform for many Business Intelligence (BI) initiatives even amidst the rise of specialized BI software. Mastering Advanced Excel for Data Analysis and BI Reporting empowers professionals to efficiently transform raw data into actionable insights, create dynamic reports, and build robust dashboards, enabling smarter decision-making and driving organizational performance. This training course is meticulously designed to equip business analysts, financial professionals, marketing specialists, data entry personnel, managers, and anyone seeking to elevate their data proficiency with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in understanding advanced Excel functions, mastering data cleaning and transformation techniques using Power Query, developing sophisticated data models with Power Pivot, designing interactive dashboards, leveraging advanced charting capabilities, and automating reporting processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to unlock Excel's full potential as a powerful BI tool, enabling them to analyze complex datasets, communicate insights effectively, and contribute significantly to data-driven strategies.

Duration

10 days

Target Audience

• Business Analysts
• Financial Analysts & Accountants
• Marketing & Sales Professionals
• Data Entry & Administrative Staff
• Managers & Team Leaders
• Project Coordinators
• Anyone regularly working with large datasets in Excel
• Aspiring Data Professionals

Objectives

• Understand advanced Excel functions and formulas for complex data manipulation.
• Master data cleaning, transformation, and preparation using Power Query.
• Develop proficiency in building robust data models with Power Pivot.
• Learn to create interactive dashboards and dynamic reports using Excel's BI features.
• Understand advanced charting techniques for effective data visualization.
• Explore automation of reporting processes using macros and VBA fundamentals.
• Develop skills in performing advanced data analysis, including statistical functions.
• Learn about data validation, conditional formatting, and data protection.
• Understand how to integrate Excel with other data sources.
• Formulate strategies for efficient data management and reporting workflows.
• Apply advanced Excel techniques to solve real-world business problems.

Course Content

Module 1. Advanced Excel Functions and Formulas

• Logical Functions: IF, AND, OR, IFERROR, IFS
• Lookup Functions: VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, XLOOKUP (if available)
• Text Functions: LEFT, RIGHT, MID, CONCATENATE, TEXTJOIN, FIND, REPLACE
• Date & Time Functions: TODAY, NOW, EDATE, EOMONTH, NETWORKDAYS
• Array Formulas and Dynamic Array Functions (e.g., UNIQUE, FILTER, SORT)

Module 2. Data Cleaning and Validation

• Removing Duplicates and Blanks
• Text to Columns and Flash Fill
• Data Validation: Setting rules for data entry, custom validation
• Conditional Formatting: Highlighting trends, outliers, and errors
• Go To Special for selecting specific cell types

Module 3. Power Query: Data Connection and Transformation

• Introduction to Power Query Editor: Interface and functionalities
• Connecting to various data sources: Excel files, CSV, Folders, Web, Databases
• Data Transformation: Renaming, reordering, changing data types
• Cleaning and Shaping Data: Removing columns, rows, splitting columns
• Merging and Appending Queries for data integration

Module 4. Power Query: Advanced Transformations

• Pivoting and Unpivoting Columns
• Group By and Aggregate Data
• Creating Custom Columns with M language basics
• Conditional Columns and Index Columns
• Handling errors and missing values in Power Query

Module 5. Power Pivot: Data Modeling Fundamentals

• Introduction to Power Pivot: Data Model, Relationships View
• Importing Data into Power Pivot
• Creating Relationships between tables
• Understanding Star Schema and Snowflake Schema concepts
• Managing multiple tables for comprehensive analysis

Module 6. Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) for Power Pivot

• Introduction to DAX: Calculated Columns vs. Measures
• Basic DAX Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX
• Understanding Row Context and Filter Context
• CALCULATE Function: Modifying filter context
• Common DAX patterns for simple aggregations

Module 7. Advanced DAX for Complex Calculations

• Time Intelligence Functions: TOTALYTD, SAMEPERIODLASTYEAR, DATEADD
• Iterator Functions: SUMX, AVERAGEX, MAXX, MINX
• Relationship Functions: RELATED, RELATEDTABLE
• Table Functions: FILTER, ALL, ALLEXCEPT
• Advanced DAX patterns for complex business logic

Module 8. PivotTables and PivotCharts for Reporting

• Advanced PivotTable Features: Grouping, Slicers, Timelines
• Calculated Fields and Calculated Items in PivotTables
• PivotCharts: Creating dynamic charts from PivotTables
• Connecting Slicers to multiple PivotTables
• Best practices for designing interactive PivotTable reports

Module 9. Advanced Charting and Data Visualization

• Combination Charts: Line and Column charts
• Sparklines for trend visualization
• Dynamic Charts with Named Ranges and Form Controls
• Waterfall Charts, Funnel Charts, Gauge Charts
• Best practices for effective data visualization in Excel

Module 10. Dashboard Design Principles in Excel

• Dashboard Planning: Defining objectives, audience, KPIs
• Layout and Navigation: Creating user-friendly dashboards
• Interactivity: Using Form Controls (buttons, scroll bars, combo boxes)
• Data Storytelling: Communicating insights effectively
• Design principles for clarity, conciseness, and impact

Module 11. Introduction to Macros and VBA Fundamentals

• Recording Macros: Automating repetitive tasks
• VBA Editor Interface: Modules, procedures
• Basic VBA Syntax: Variables, loops, conditional statements
• Running and editing recorded macros
• Security considerations for macros

Module 12. Automating Reports with VBA

• Creating custom functions with VBA
• Automating data import and export
• Generating reports and charts programmatically
• Automating data cleaning and transformation tasks
• Error handling in VBA code

Module 13. Advanced Data Analysis Tools in Excel

• What-If Analysis: Goal Seek, Scenario Manager, Data Tables
• Solver Add-in for optimization problems
• Analysis ToolPak: Descriptive Statistics, Regression Analysis, Correlation
• Forecasting tools in Excel
• Statistical functions for hypothesis testing

Module 14. Integrating Excel with External Data and BI Tools

• Exporting data from Excel to Power BI, Tableau, or other BI tools
• Importing data from BI tools into Excel
• Linking Excel workbooks for reporting
• Data security and access control in shared workbooks
• Best practices for collaborative Excel environments

Module 15. Best Practices for Data Management and Reporting Workflow

• Organizing and structuring large datasets
• Naming conventions for cells, ranges, and tables
• Version control for Excel files
• Documentation of formulas and data sources
• Strategies for efficient and scalable Excel reporting.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.