Here are three FAQs and step-by-step answers for an Excel Data Analysis course.
FAQ 1: What version of Excel do I need, and how should I set up my environment?
Answer:
Use a recent desktop version of Excel to access all course features.
- Recommended: Microsoft 365 for Windows (full support for Power Query, Power Pivot, dynamic arrays).
- Also supported: Excel 2021 (no Power Pivot on Mac; dynamic arrays available), Excel 2019 (no XLOOKUP/FILTER/UNIQUE), Microsoft 365 for Mac (Power Query available with some connector limitations; no Power Pivot).
Set up your environment:
- Check your version and update
- Windows: File > Account > About Excel. Click Update Options > Update Now.
- Mac: Help > Check for Updates (or use Microsoft AutoUpdate).
- Install Analysis ToolPak (for statistics)
- Windows: File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: Excel Add-ins > Go > check Analysis ToolPak > OK.
- Mac: Tools > Excel Add-ins > check Analysis ToolPak > OK.
- Confirm Power Query availability
- Windows: Data tab > Get Data (labelled “Get & Transform Data”).
- Mac (Microsoft 365/2021): Data > Get Data (Power Query Editor opens for supported sources).
- Enable Power Pivot (Windows only)
- File > Options > Add-ins > Manage: COM Add-ins > Go > check Microsoft Power Pivot for Excel > OK.
- Set helpful options
- File > Options > Formulas > Workbook Calculation: Automatic.
- File > Options > Advanced > Display options > Show formulas in formula bar (on by default).
- Consider turning on “Enable AutoSave” if using OneDrive/SharePoint.
FAQ 2: What will I learn, and how is the course structured?
Answer:
Follow the modules in order to build skills progressively.
- Foundations and setup
- Navigate the Excel interface for analysis.
- Create and format Excel Tables; use structured references.
- Importing and cleaning data
- Use Power Query to import CSV/Excel/web data.
- Remove duplicates, split/merge columns, change data types, unpivot, append/merge queries.
- Core analysis with formulas
- Lookup and filter: XLOOKUP (or INDEX/MATCH alternative), FILTER, UNIQUE.
- Aggregation: SUMIFS, AVERAGEIFS, COUNTIFS.
- Dates and logic: EOMONTH, YEAR, IF/IFS, AND/OR.
- Dynamic arrays (Microsoft 365/Excel 2021): spill ranges, SORT, SEQUENCE.
- Error handling: IFERROR.
- Summarization and exploration
- Build PivotTables and PivotCharts.
- Add Slicers and Timelines; group dates and categories.
- Visualization and dashboards
- Create clean charts (column, line, combo, waterfall).
- Use conditional formatting and sparklines.
- Design interactive dashboards with linked controls.
- Data modeling (Windows)
- Build a Data Model; relate tables; create measures with DAX in Power Pivot (SUMX, CALCULATE, FILTER).
- Descriptive statistics and regression
- Use Analysis ToolPak: summary statistics, correlation, regression.
- Interpret outputs and validate assumptions at a basic level.
- Capstone project
- Clean multi-source data, model relationships, summarize with PivotTables/measures, and present a dashboard.
Outcomes:
- Import, clean, and combine data reliably.
- Choose the right tool (formulas, PivotTables, Power Query, Power Pivot) for the task.
- Build clear visuals and dashboards that answer business questions.
FAQ 3: How do I practice effectively and troubleshoot common issues during the course?
Answer:
Practice workflow:
- Download the course files
- Get the datasets and starter workbooks from the course portal.
- Save a local copy; avoid network paths for performance.
- Follow along in a fresh workbook copy
- Open the relevant file; if prompted, click Enable Editing/Enable Content.
- Convert raw ranges to Tables (Home > Format as Table) and name them (Table Design > Table Name).
- Replicate steps exactly
- Use the same sheet, table, and column names as shown.
- For Windows vs. Mac, follow the provided platform notes for menu differences.
- Check your results
- Use Formulas > Evaluate Formula to step through calculations.
- Compare your PivotTable fields, filters, and number formats to the solution file.
- Submit and get feedback
- Export required outputs (e.g., dashboard sheet or PDF).
- Upload your workbook with a short note on challenges you faced.
Troubleshooting tips:
-
My formula gives different results:
- Ensure Calculation is Automatic (File > Options > Formulas).
- Confirm names and table references match exactly (no trailing spaces).
- Check data types in Power Query and Excel (text vs number vs date).
-
I don’t have XLOOKUP or FILTER:
- Use INDEX/MATCH and alternative patterns provided in the lessons.
- Consider upgrading to Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 to access dynamic arrays.
-
Dates look wrong or won’t calculate:
- Verify regional settings and delimiters when importing (Power Query: set Locale).
- Convert text dates to real dates (Data > Text to Columns or VALUE function).
-
Power Query doesn’t show on my Mac:
- Ensure you’re on Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 for Mac and updated.
- Some connectors aren’t available on Mac; use CSV/Excel imports or a Windows environment for advanced connectors.
-
Workbook is slow:
- Turn large ranges into Tables; avoid entire-column references in volatile formulas.
- Reduce unnecessary conditional formatting; disable at sheet scope if needed.
- Cache-heavy tasks: consider PivotTables or Power Pivot measures instead of many cell formulas.
By following these steps and tips, you will be able to complete each exercise, diagnose issues quickly, and build confidence with real-world Excel data analysis workflows.