As someone who always thought of Excel as a simple spreadsheet tool, I was eager to dive deeper into its potential. Little did I know that the Data Analytics Foundation module, taught by Professor Dipak Biscuitwala, would completely transform my understanding of Excel—and data analytics as a whole. After 9 weeks of hands-on learning, I now see Excel as a language for data analysis, capable of solving complex problems and uncovering valuable insights. Here’s a glimpse of my journey and what I learned along the way.
What I Learned in the Data Analytics Foundation Class
The course was designed to cater to beginners and those with limited knowledge of Excel, making it accessible to everyone. We started with the basics and gradually progressed to more advanced techniques, making each lesson a step toward mastering Excel for data analysis. Here’s a breakdown of the key skills we learned:
1. Excel Basics
We kicked off with essential functions that everyone should know:
- SUM, COUNT, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, STDEV.S, QUARTILE, and RANK.
These functions are the building blocks of any data analysis and helped me quickly start analyzing numbers in meaningful ways.
2. Advanced Excel Functions
As we moved forward, we dived into more advanced techniques:
- VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP: Powerful tools for looking up values in large datasets.
- SUMPRODUCT: A function that simplifies complex calculations by allowing you to multiply ranges and add them together.
- PivotTables: I was amazed by how PivotTables allow you to summarize and analyze data without needing to write complex formulas.
3. Data Cleaning and Power Query
A crucial part of data analysis is ensuring the data is clean and well-organized. With Power Query, I learned how to transform and clean messy data to make it ready for analysis.
4. Creating Dashboards
We also learned how to build interactive dashboards that visually present key data insights. These are incredibly useful for conveying information in a way that is easy to understand and actionable.
5. What-If Analysis and Solver
One of the most eye-opening parts of the course was learning about What-If Analysis and Solver. These tools allow you to run scenarios and find solutions to problems based on different variables. It’s a game-changer for anyone involved in decision-making or forecasting.
Why This Course Was a Game-Changer for Me
What made this class stand out wasn’t just the knowledge, but the teaching approach. Professor Biscuitwala’s style was engaging and accessible. Each lesson was a perfect balance of theory and practical application. We started by learning the theory behind each tool, followed by hands-on exercises that helped us implement what we learned. LinkedIn Learning assignments supplemented our learning, allowing us to practice on our own and deepen our understanding.
The best part of the course, however, was the environment. The classroom wasn’t just a place for lectures—it felt like a collaborative space where we could ask questions, share ideas, and learn from one another. The professor, the students, and even the snacks during breaks made this an enjoyable experience. It didn’t feel like a traditional class at all; it was a community of learners working together toward the same goal.
Excel: More Than Just a Spreadsheet Tool
By the end of the course, I realized that Excel is not just a tool for creating spreadsheets and managing numbers. It’s a language for communicating data—a versatile, powerful platform for solving problems, making decisions, and uncovering insights. The skills I gained in this course have not only boosted my confidence in using Excel but have also provided me with a solid foundation in data analysis that I can apply to various professional and personal projects.
My Project: Analyzing Election Campaign Contributions
To put my new skills to the test, I analyzed data on election campaign contributions by state. Using the tools I learned in class, I was able to compare contributions across states and identify which state was the highest contributor. It was an eye-opening exercise that showed me just how much Excel can help in visualizing trends and drawing insights from complex data.
Interested in seeing how I did it? Check out my project here:
Explore it here!
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Take This Class
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Excel or unsure about its true potential, I highly recommend taking a class like this either online offline. The Data Analytics Foundation module taught me that Excel is much more than a tool for organizing data. It’s a powerful language that opens up endless possibilities for data analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to sharpen your Excel skills, this class will give you the confidence and tools to become proficient in Excel and take your data analysis abilities to the next level. Trust me, this is a skill you’ll be glad you have.