The Microsoft Excel Intermediate Masterclass is designed to empower professionals to enhance their Excel skills, moving beyond basic functions to more advanced techniques for data management, analysis, and automation. This 2-day course will equip participants with the ability to efficiently handle large datasets, create professional reports, and automate repetitive tasks, significantly improving productivity.
Executive Summary
This masterclass focuses on essential intermediate Excel skills such as logical formulas, lookup functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, data validation, and automation. Participants will develop a solid foundation in data manipulation and visualization, enabling them to generate meaningful insights from raw data. By the end of the course, participants will confidently manage, analyze, and present data using Excel’s powerful tools.
Day 1 Benefits to Company
Employees will improve their ability to manage and manipulate data, leading to higher data accuracy and consistency. The company will benefit from faster and more reliable data handling, reducing time spent on manual data entry and cleanup tasks.
Day 1 Benefits to Participants:
Participants will gain confidence in applying complex formulas and managing large datasets effectively. They will be able to use validation and conditional formatting to ensure data accuracy and streamline data entry processes.
Day 2 Benefits to Company
Employees will be able to perform data analysis and generate reports more efficiently, improving the decision-making process across departments. Automation will reduce the time spent on manual tasks, allowing employees to focus on strategic activities.
Day 2 Benefits to Participants
Participants will master pivot tables and charts, helping them transform raw data into meaningful insights. They will automate repetitive tasks, freeing up more time to concentrate on higher-value tasks and analysis.
Lessons in this course
Day 1 – Data Management & Complex Functions
Intermediate Functions and Formulas:
IF, AND, OR Logical Functions – Create conditional statements to display results based on criteria. Combine multiple logical conditions to perform complex data analysis. Lookup Functions (VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH) – Retrieve data from different parts of the worksheet or across sheets. Compare and match data from different sources. Text Functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID, CONCATENATE) – Manipulate and clean up text data.
Data Validation
Restrict Data Entry – Set rules to ensure only valid data is entered into cells. Drop-down Lists – Create lists to provide users with selectable options, improving data accuracy and entry speed. Custom Error Messages – Configure custom messages to alert users when invalid data is entered.
Advanced Sorting and Filtering
- Multi-Level Sorting – Organize data by multiple criteria.
- Custom Filters – Use complex filtering options to focus on specific subsets of data.
- Clear Filters and Restore Data – Efficiently remove filters and reset views.
Conditional Formatting
- Built-In Rules – Apply pre-configured formatting rules to highlight specific data points.
- Custom Rules – Develop custom rules to highlight patterns based on specific conditions.
- Visual Indicators – Use data bars, color scales, and icon sets to create visual cues.
Working with Tables
- Create and Format Tables – Convert data ranges into Excel tables.
- Structured References – Use structured references for consistency in formulas and easier management.
- Table Tools – Use table-specific tools such as automatic expansion for rows/columns.
Day 2 – Data Analysis, Visualization & Automation
Pivot Tables
- Creating Pivot Tables – Build pivot tables to summarize large datasets and analyze key metrics.
- Customizing Pivot Tables – Group data into different categories, apply filters, and sort values.
- Slicers and Timelines – Add interactive filters for dynamic data analysis.
Charts and Graphs
- Chart Types – Create and customize a variety of chart types.
- Linking Charts to Pivot Tables – Build charts that update automatically.
- Customization Options – Apply trendlines, data labels, and secondary axes.
Data Analysis Tools
- Goal Seek – Use Goal Seek to solve for a desired outcome by adjusting input values.
- Scenario Manager – Create and compare multiple scenarios to evaluate different business decisions.
- Data Tables – Perform sensitivity analysis with one-variable and two-variable data tables.
Task Automation with Functions
- Advanced Formulas (SUMIF, COUNTIF, AVERAGEIF) – Automate calculations based on specific criteria.
- Text-to-Columns and Flash Fill – Quickly split or merge data based on patterns.
- Array Formulas – Apply array formulas for advanced calculations.
Introduction to Macros and Automation
- Recording Macros – Record simple macros to automate repetitive tasks.
- Running and Assigning Macros – Assign macros to buttons or keyboard shortcuts.
- Introduction to VBA – Learn the basics of Visual Basic for Applications for more advanced automation.