Lesson 1Linking and exporting visuals: copying charts as images vs linking to source, exporting tables for Word and PowerPointShare charts and tables well across files. You will compare pasting charts as fixed pictures versus linked items, export tables for Word and PowerPoint, and pick ways that keep quality, small file size, and 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 departmentsMake a real-life sample dataset that shows office work. You will look up usual activity amounts, make at least ten different activities, give departments and units properly, and avoid mix-ups that 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 the same, and easy to read. You will use dropdowns, block wrong values, standardise numbers, money, and time, and mark odd ones with colour rules.
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 that turn raw data into useful numbers. You will work out totals and averages per activity, get cost per hour, and group by department to check workload, speed, and costs across the file.
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 considerationsFix chart styles so points stand out clear and easy for all. You will set titles, axes, labels, keys, and colours, add data labels where good, and think of access like 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 formulas and charts stronger. You will change ranges to Tables, use table refs, and name ranges to easy formulas, charts, and links in 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 tablesUse main sum formulas to check your data. You will do SUM, SUMIF, COUNT, COUNTIF, AVERAGE, AVERAGEIF, then mix with table refs in Tables to keep sums clear and good 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 messageMake charts that show key points clear. You will build column, bar, pie, combo charts to match quantity and cost, pick right type for message, and ready visuals that help choices without wrong ideas.
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 steady for checks. You will set column order, data kinds, and notes so formulas, PivotTables, charts stay good and easy to keep.
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. You will make PivotTables showing quantity and cost by activity and department, group and filter, refresh new data, and style for clear, repeat reports.
Creating a PivotTable from the dataArranging rows, columns, and valuesSummarizing quantity and cost fieldsGrouping, filtering, and slicing dataRefreshing and preserving Pivot layouts
