Lesson 1Using VBA macros for simple automation: record macros, edit module, safe execution, workbook events (Workbook_Open, Worksheet_Change)Automate routine tasks with VBA macros, from recording to editing code in modules. Master safe running practices, workbook events like Workbook_Open and Worksheet_Change, for dependable automation in updates and formatting.
Recording and running basic macrosEditing macros in standard modulesUsing Workbook_Open for startup tasksUsing Worksheet_Change for input logicMacro security and safe executionAssigning macros to buttons and shapesLesson 2Refresh automation: refreshing Power Query and PivotTables with VBA or buttonsAutomate Power Query and PivotTable refreshes using VBA and interface buttons. Create buttons and basic macros to refresh multiple items in order, manage errors, ensuring users always view latest data.
Manual vs automated refresh optionsVBA to refresh all queries at onceRefreshing PivotTables with macrosRefresh buttons on dashboardsHandling refresh errors and loggingLesson 3Text and date functions: TEXT, DATE, EOMONTH, MONTH, YEAR, FORMAT for reporting periodsEmploy text and date functions for solid reporting periods. Handle TEXT, DATE, EOMONTH, MONTH, YEAR, and formatting to make month labels, fiscal periods, dynamic date summaries for dashboards and regular reports.
Building dates from components with DATEMonth, year, and EOMONTH calculationsTEXT for custom period labelsRolling monthly and year-to-date rangesHandling fiscal vs calendar periodsLesson 4Best practices for versioning, backup, and documenting data sources within the workbookApply best practices for workbook versioning, backups, and documentation. Track data source changes, keep a change log, embed clear notes so others understand refresh steps and dependencies easily.
File naming and versioning conventionsBackup strategies and storage locationsMaintaining a workbook change logDocumenting external data connectionsAnnotating queries and key formulasLesson 5Advanced formulas: XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, IF/IFS, nested logicalsUse advanced formulas like XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, IF, IFS. Create nested logicals, handle errors smoothly, design strong lookup chains for intricate reporting models.
XLOOKUP vs VLOOKUP comparisonINDEX/MATCH for flexible lookupsSUMIFS and COUNTIFS with criteriaIFS and nested logical structuresError handling with IFERROR or IFNALesson 6Designing workbook structure: separate sheets for Sales, HR, Finance, Dashboard, Data DictionaryDesign clear workbook structure with sheets for Sales, HR, Finance, dashboards, data dictionary. Set naming standards, navigation aids, separate raw data, staging, presentation layers properly.
Separating data, staging, and reportsDedicated sheets for Sales, HR, FinanceDashboard layout and navigation aidsCentral data dictionary worksheetSheet naming and tab color schemesLesson 7Power Query fundamentals: importing, cleaning, merging multiple departmental filesMaster Power Query to import, clean, merge departmental files. Set connections, apply transformations, merge/append tables, load to Excel models keeping queries refreshable and well-noted.
Connecting to folders and workbooksCleaning and shaping raw tablesMerging and appending departmental filesManaging query steps and errorsLoading queries to tables or data modelDocumenting query logic and sourcesLesson 8Data validation and controlled input: drop-downs, lists, error alerts for monthly paste-inManage user inputs with data validation, lists, error alerts. Build dropdowns for monthly paste templates, block invalid entries, friendly messages guiding users while safeguarding formulas.
Creating list-based dropdown controlsCustom validation formulas for rulesInput messages and error alertsValidating monthly paste-in templatesLocking structure while allowing inputLesson 9Calculated columns and measures: structured table columns vs. Pivot measuresDistinguish table calculated columns from PivotTable/Data Model measures. Know when to use each, performance impact, design reusable calculations for uniform reporting across pivots.
Creating calculated columns in tablesDefining measures in the Data ModelRow context vs filter context basicsChoosing between column and measureReusing measures across PivotTablesLesson 10Using Excel Tables and named ranges for dynamic ranges and structured referencesUse Excel Tables, named ranges for dynamic ranges, structured references. Convert to tables, use table names in formulas, named ranges auto-updating as data expands.
Converting ranges into Excel TablesStructured references in formulasTotal rows and table-based summariesDynamic named ranges with formulasTables feeding PivotTables and chartsLesson 11Conditional logic for flags and categories: IF with lookup, SWITCH, CHOOSEApply conditional logic for flags, categories driving analysis. Mix IF with lookups, SWITCH, CHOOSE to simplify nested logic, easing model audits and adjustments.
Reviewing IF and nested IF patternsIF with XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP flagsUsing SWITCH for multi-condition logicUsing CHOOSE for scenario selectionAuditing and testing logical formulasLesson 12Working with large ranges efficiently: array formulas, spill behavior, LET functionHandle large ranges with dynamic arrays, spill, LET function. Grasp performance, error handling, replace old array formulas with modern, easy-to-maintain patterns.
Legacy CSE array formulas vs dynamic arraysUnderstanding and controlling spill rangesUsing LET to simplify complex formulasCombining LET with FILTER and SORTPerformance tips for large array ranges
