Mastering Data Analysis: Using Excel to Your Advantage

Your average Excel sheet has over 1 million rows and more than 16,000 columns. Imagine the enormous amounts of data you can store in one single sheet. With over 450 diverse formulas and functions, you can carry out various maths and statistical calculations, create charts and graphs, and export and import data.

As the digital space continues to generate more and more raw data, it is essential to know how to harvest that valuable information. With the right data analytical methods, a business can improve its productivity, make strategic decisions and increase profits.

MS Excel may be the oldest data analysis tool, but it remains the most popular one in the market. It has been used in various industries such as marketing, e-commerce, finance and healthcare to actively improve the company’s performance. An Excel spreadsheet can take a large amount of unstructured data and organise it neatly within the columns. While other analytical tools and methods are available in the market, most companies prefer to analyze data using MS Excel.

Why is MS Excel so popular?

It was first launched in 1985, but MS Excel has seen roughly 30 upgrades since. Over the years, Microsoft has modified the software to be more intuitive and user-friendly.

Even though there are many programming languages and coding systems, almost 90 per cent of companies in India prefer to analyze data using Excel. It is the industry standard across the country. Excel is a powerful tool, but very easy to use. It helps to reduce time otherwise spent on structuring data. You can manipulate, organise and visualise data faster, freeing your time to create insights and strategic plans. No wonder all the top data experts opt to analyze data using Excel.

8 reasons why the experts Analyze Data Using MS Excel

1. The ‘analyze data’ feature

Microsoft has loaded in the analyze data feature that helps you create impactful summaries, analyze trends and decode patterns. It is an intelligent technique created especially to analyze data using Excel. You can pick and choose the data you want, ask for specific information or organise the details as you see fit. It is truly a masterful tool.

2. Over 400 functions available

It is so easy to structure, sort or analyze data using Excel. A myriad of amazing functions get the job done with a few clicks of a button. Do you want to rearrange the data according to dates or sales? How about in alphabetical order? Or do you need to clean up typos, errors, extra spaces and irregularities? MS Excel has a solution for all your requests. You can get creative with your requests, and Excel will have a function or formula for you.

Also Read – 14 Excel functions every Data Analyst must know

3. Helps with data visualisation

In today’s corporate world, visuals are everything. Clients don’t want to see pages of boring numbers or data. Excel can help you create charts and graphs that depict relevant information in a more appealing manner. It is very useful when presenting a large quantity of data.

4. The PIVOT TABLE function

This feature is a magic wand that simplifies how you analyze data using Excel. It is especially helpful when you have a large mass of data, and you need specific information. Let’s say you have a company’s yearly sales listed in your spreadsheet. You need to figure out how much each product sold in descending order.

The Pivot Tables function can help you sort this list without breaking a sweat. Just ensure the data is properly tabulated. What makes this function even better is that whenever you add new data, it will be reflected in the pivot tables.

5. Perfect tool for data collection and management

Remember when we mentioned that the Excel sheet has over 1 million rows and 16,000 columns? Along with 450 functions? This makes it the perfect storage or database. You can add as much information as you need, making it the perfect platform to analyze data using Excel.

6. Very easy to use for data entry

How would a novice enter data traditionally? Cell by cell? Well, a certified data analyst would know better. Excel offers a special data entry form that helps you go through the data entry process faster and with fewer errors. You can even add new information, and update or edit the existing data. This is one of the reasons why professionals prefer to analyze data using Excel.

7. You don’t need an advanced degree to learn

A data analytics course will cover all basic and advanced functions. You don’t need prior education or an IT background to grasp the subject matter. Students from any academic background can apply for a course that helps analyze data using Excel.

8. Constantly updated to include newer features

You can always count on Microsoft to improve and upgrade Excel functions. The spreadsheet system has already gone through 30 versions and will continue to get better features to make data analysis easier.

Also Read – Creating a Winning Data Analyst Resume: A Guide

About Proschool’s data analytics courses

Proschool is one of India’s top data institutes for many reasons. They offer courses that teach in-demand analytical tools such as Excel, SQL, Python and R. The faculty has experienced industry experts who use active learning methods and real-world projects to help students master data analytics. Proschool offers further specialisations like business and financial analytics for students hoping to work in these fields. The courses also have a strong focus on teaching students to analyze data in Excel. Even if you have no background in coding, you can apply for this course. On completion, you will be on par with the data professionals in this industry.

Course features:

• Proschool offers many pathways in data-related courses. You can opt for domain-specific programs, upgrade to a PG certification or a data science course.
• The courses are extremely practical and industry-oriented. You will work on over ten projects and case studies within the span of three to four months.
• You can visit the coaching centre in your city for regular classes or enroll online for virtual sessions.
• The dedicated placement portal will help you apply for entry-level jobs from more than 800 postings.
• The placement team also helps students with interview grooming and resume writing skills.

FAQs

Where can I learn to use MS Excel?

You can enroll for an exclusive Excel course such as LinkedIn Learning or Udemy. You can also opt for a comprehensive data analysis course which includes MS Excel as a valuable subject. A coaching program will help you learn the important functions and formulas, and also ensure you know how to use them in different situations. You can analyze data using Excel on the various projects you work on.

Does Proschool offer classes for MS Excel?

Proschool has a data analytics course that ensures students learn to analyze data using Excel. The institute recognises Excel as a relevant industry skill and is a good foundation for students to learn other data analytical methods. What is really important here is that you will learn to analyze data using Excel, not just memorise the various functions.

Do companies in India prefer to use MS Excel for data analysis?

Yes, most companies in India prefer to use Excel. It is the industry standard. It is often listed in the job requirements.

In conclusion

It may be the oldest data analytical tool, but MS Excel is still the most relevant. In the future, it is possible that another system may uproot its popularity. However, the genius of MS Excel is that if you know how to use it, you can learn other tools quickly. It serves as a gateway to other analytical methods. So, if you want to be a part of this rapidly growing industry in the future, ensure you master how to analyze data using Excel today.