Lesson 1Using VBA macros for simple automation: record macros, edit module, safe execution, workbook events (Workbook_Open, Worksheet_Change)Automate repeated tasks with VBA macros, starting from recording to modifying code in modules. Discover safe running practices, apply workbook events like Workbook_Open and Worksheet_Change, and develop dependable automation for updating and styling tasks in your daily work.
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 the refresh of Power Query and PivotTables using VBA and interface controls. Create buttons and basic macros to refresh several items in order, manage errors, and make sure users always view the latest data in their reports.
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 to build solid reporting periods. Handle TEXT, DATE, EOMONTH, MONTH, YEAR, and formatting to make month labels, fiscal periods, and dynamic date-based summaries for dashboards and regular reports in Ugandan contexts.
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, backup, and documentation. Monitor changes to data sources, keep a change log, and include clear notes so future users can grasp 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, and IFS. Construct nested logical expressions, manage errors smoothly, and design strong lookup chains for complex reporting models in professional settings.
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 a clear workbook structure with specific sheets for Sales, HR, Finance, dashboards, and a data dictionary. Set naming standards, navigation tools, and separation of raw data, staging, and presentation layers for efficient use.
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, and merge departmental files. Set up connections, apply transformation steps, merge and append tables, and load results into Excel models while keeping queries refreshable and well-noted for ongoing use.
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 input with data validation rules, lists, and error alerts. Build dropdowns for monthly paste-in templates, limit invalid entries, and create friendly messages that guide users while safeguarding formulas and structures.
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 calculated columns in tables from measures in PivotTables and the Data Model. Understand when to use each, their impact on performance, and how to create reusable calculations for steady reporting across pivots in various scenarios.
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 referencesUtilise Excel Tables and named ranges to make dynamic ranges and structured references. Convert ranges to tables, use table names in formulas, and define named ranges that update automatically as data expands for better management.
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 to generate flags and categories that support analysis. Mix IF with lookup functions, and use SWITCH and CHOOSE to ease nested logic, making models simpler to review and modify over time in practical applications.
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 ranges, and the LET function. Grasp performance factors, error management, and how to swap old array formulas with modern, easy-to-maintain calculation methods for larger datasets.
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
