Lesson 1Linking and exporting visuals: copying charts as images vs linking to source, exporting tables for Word and PowerPointShare your charts and tables properly across files. You will compare pasting charts as fixed pictures against linked ones, export tables for Word and PowerPoint, and pick ways that keep quality, manage file size, and allow easy updates.
Copying charts as static imagesPasting charts linked to the sourceExporting tables to Word documentsUsing Excel content in PowerPointManaging update behavior for linksLesson 2Populating realistic activity data: researching typical office volumes, creating 10+ varied activities, and assigning consistent units and departmentsPut together a real-life sample dataset showing office work. You will look up normal activity levels, make at least ten different activities, give them steady departments and units, and make sure no mix-ups that could mess up later checks.
Researching realistic office workloadsDefining a catalog of activitiesAssigning departments and ownershipChoosing consistent units and scalesSpot-checking data for realismLesson 3Data validation and formatting: using dropdown lists, number formats, currency, time formats, and conditional formatting for outliersSet up checks and styles so data goes in right, stays uniform, and is easy to read. You will use dropdowns, block wrong entries, standardise numbers, money, and times, and mark odd ones out with conditional formatting.
Creating dropdown lists with lists or tablesValidating numbers, dates, and textStandardizing number and currency formatsApplying time and duration formatsConditional formatting for outliersLesson 4Calculating derived metrics: total quantity per activity, total cost per activity, average time per activity, cost per hour, and per-department totalsMake formulas to turn basic data into useful figures. You will work out totals and averages per activity, figure cost per hour, and group by department to check workload, speed, and costs all through the workbook.
Total quantity and cost per activityAverage time per activity formulasCalculating cost per hour metricsPer-department totals and subtotalsChecking results for calculation errorsLesson 5Formatting charts for clarity: titles, axis labels, data labels, legends, color choices, and accessibility considerationsPolish your charts so the message jumps out clear and everyone can see it. Adjust titles, axes, labels, legends, colours, add data labels where needed, and think about access like good contrast and non-colour signs.
Writing clear, focused chart titlesConfiguring axes and number scalesUsing legends and data labels wiselyChoosing color palettes and contrastDesigning charts for accessibilityLesson 6Using Excel Tables and named ranges: converting ranges to Tables, benefits for formulas and charting, creating and using named rangesUse Excel Tables and named ranges to make your formulas and charts stronger. Turn ranges into Tables, use smart references, and set named ranges to make formulas, charts, and links simpler across the workbook.
Converting ranges into Excel TablesUsing structured references in formulasAuto-expanding Tables for new dataCreating and managing named rangesUsing names in charts and summariesLesson 7Formulas for aggregates: SUM, SUMIF, COUNT, COUNTIF, AVERAGE, AVERAGEIF and using structured references with Excel tablesPut core summing formulas to work on your data. Use SUM, SUMIF, COUNT, COUNTIF, AVERAGE, AVERAGEIF, and pair with Table references to keep sums clear and strong even when data changes.
Using SUM and COUNT on raw dataApplying SUMIF and COUNTIF criteriaAVERAGE and AVERAGEIF for durationsCombining criteria with table fieldsAuditing aggregate formulas for errorsLesson 8Creating charts: constructing column, bar, pie, and combo charts to compare Quantity and Cost; choosing appropriate chart type for the messageBuild charts that show main points sharp. Make column, bar, pie, combo charts to match quantity and cost, pick right types for the story, and ready visuals that help decisions without confusing anyone.
Choosing the right chart typeBuilding column and bar chartsCreating pie and donut chartsDesigning combo charts with two axesAvoiding misleading visual choicesLesson 9Designing the Data sheet: required columns (Activity, Department, Quantity, Average Time (hours), Cost (USD)) and optional columns (Date, Activity Type, Priority, Notes)Plan a neat Data sheet with must-have and extra fields, keeping it steady for checks. Sort columns, data kinds, and notes so formulas, PivotTables, charts stay solid and simple to handle.
Choosing required business fieldsAdding optional context columnsPlanning column order and groupingDocumenting field purpose and unitsDesigning for future data growthLesson 10PivotTables for summaries: creating a PivotTable to summarize Quantity and Cost by Activity and Department, grouping and refreshing dataUse PivotTables to sum big data fast. Build ones showing quantity and cost by activity and department, group and filter, refresh with new data, and style for clear, repeatable reports.
Creating a PivotTable from the dataArranging rows, columns, and valuesSummarizing quantity and cost fieldsGrouping, filtering, and slicing dataRefreshing and preserving Pivot layouts
