MICROSOFT EXCEL

Excel is a powerful tool for storing and analyzing data. Its rich set of data-driven tools allow for precise and easy analysis of information. Excel's formulas allow users to create automated calculations, ranging from simple totals to complex, multi-faceted calculations. Additionally, its built-in charting and PivotTable features provide unmatched ease and flexibility in the analysis and reorientation of large data sets.

• Full Day Class (8:15 am - 4:30 pm)
• Sample: Table Of Contents (PDF)
• Sample: Class Excerpt
  Click the link to view a sample of this class' "slide show". The slide images are large, so please be patient while they load.

Overview

In the introductory class, students learn how to use Excel to store data, perform simple calculations with formulas, emphasize their data through formatting and print the results. This full day session emphasizes hand-on training and use of the software to address common Excel tasks. Many useful features of Excel are covered in detail, such as cell and range selection, common formula and formatting questions, and AutoFill shortcuts.

Objectives

• Understand fundamental Excel concepts: cells, columns, rows, worksheets, workbooks.
• Learn the basics: the Excel interface, navigation, data entry, working with files, getting help.
• Understand formulas: what they are, why to use them and how to create them.
• Add a little style to your data: formatting tools.
• Discuss the cut/copy and paste feature.
• Identify tools to set up an Excel file: inserting and deleting rows and columns, renaming, moving and copying sheets.
• Getting your data onto the printed page: using page setup, print preview and print commands.

Prerequisite(s)

• Introduction To Windows
  Or Equivalent Experience Using Windows-Based Computers

Other Information

• In addition to the formal prerequisite above, basic experience with Microsoft Word is helpful but not necessary.
• If you have questions about this class' content or prerequisites, please contact us.

• Full Day Class (8:15 am - 4:30 pm)
• Sample: Table Of Contents (PDF)
• Sample: Class Excerpt (PDF)
  Click the link to view a sample from the class book.

Overview

Having learned the basics of data storage in Excel, students in the intermediate class are exposed to various methods of analyzing that data. Topics include sorting data alphabetically or numerically, and building basic charts. Additional coverage of formulas, such as VLOOKUP statements and IF functions, are designed to demonstrate practical examples as well as provide insight into the power and flexibility of formulas in general. Other topics include tools to help users review data on-screen more easily and protecting files from tampering.

Objectives

• Review tips and techniques: viewing tools, working with multiple files and moving and copying sheets to other books.
• Work with list-based data sets: creating cell drop-down lists, sorting and filtering.
• Learn more advanced formulas: data joining with &, RANK, 3D formulas, VLOOKUP and IF.
• Begin to move toward advanced formulas: examine examples of complex IF statements.
• Build charts: tools to create and modify basic graphs.
• Discuss advanced formatting: format painter, conditional formatting, hiding sheets, cell and workbook protection.

Prerequisite(s)

• Introduction To Excel
  Or Equivalent Experience

Other Information

• If you have questions about this class' content or prerequisites, please contact us.

• Full Day Class (8:15 am - 4:30 pm)
• Sample: Table Of Contents (PDF)
• Sample: Class Excerpt (PDF)
  Advanced Excel is written in a book-style format in order to engage in the necessary depth and complexity required for this class. As a result, the sample is meant to be viewed in printed form and may not display with full clarity when viewed on screen.

Overview

The Advanced course focuses primarily on formulas and formula-related tools. However, a popular aspect of the class is the chapter covering advanced printing tools that can speed up and virtually automate the creation of reports in Excel. You'll learn useful tricks for building formulas of all types, as well as how to use a built-in tool that can create one of the more common advanced formulas for you.

Objectives

• Learn to create Excel data reports: hidden rows and columns, outlines, custom views and the report manager.
• Get assistance with formulas: display formulas and function arguments, understand passed values, learn to use "graduated nesting" to simplify the creation of advanced, multi-part formulas.
• Perform calculations such as totals and counts on those items that meet a condition or list of conditions.
• Create reverse and two-dimensional lookup formulas.
• Learn how the OFFSET function can add unique functionality to formulas.

Prerequisite(s)

• Intermediate Excel
  Or Equivalent Experience

Other Information

• Many of the formula exercises in the advanced class build directly on material from the intermediate class. These topics are not reviewed in detail during the Advanced class due to time constraints. As a result, it is crucial that students in the advanced class have a working knowledge of the VLOOKUP and LEFT functions, as well as how to use the & symbol in a formula.
• Students enrolling in this class can contact Bruce Miles ahead of time with questions or topics they'd like to address in class. As a result, the class materials may not include all information covered in class. Questions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you have questions about this class' content or prerequisites, please contact us.

• Full Day Class (8:15 am - 4:30 pm)
• Sample: Table Of Contents (PDF)
• Sample: Class Excerpt (PDF)
  Mastering: Excel PivotTables is written in a book-style format in order to engage in the necessary depth and complexity required for this class. As a result, the sample is meant to be viewed in printed form and may not display with full clarity when viewed on screen.

Overview

PivotTables are a powerful tool to summarize, analyze and report on large lists of data. By quickly rearranging and compressing a data set, they can be crucial in spotting trends within a set of data. While the process of creating a basic PivotTable is quite simple, this class also covers more advanced material that is rarely documented in other Excel books or courses. This includes the creation of custom grouping systems (grouping a series of dates by month and year, for example) and frequently-overlooked options that provide powerful methods of reviewing data. Students also learn how to use Access data in a PivotTable, as well as how to use the often-overlooked and tricky "multiple consolidation range" PivotTable. As a full day class, there is ample opportunity to review every significant tool offered by PivotTables, as well as answer student questions.

Objectives

• Review the basic construction and manipulation of PivotTables: building, rearranging and formatting PivotTables, drilling down to specific information, updating and expanding PivotTables.
• Cover intermediate PivotTable features: arranging data into logical groups, setting up a PivotTable to print similar to an Access report, filtering in PivotTables.
• Discuss advanced PivotTable features: the Data field options, creating calculated fields and calculated items.
• Use PivotTables to analyze complex data: use Access data in a PivotTable, create a PivotTable based on multiple tables.

Prerequisite(s)

• Introduction To Excel
  Or Equivalent Experience

Other Information

• In addition to the formal prerequisite above, prospective students may want to consider taking Intermediate Excel before enrolling in Mastering: PivotTables.
• Students enrolling in this class can contact Bruce Miles ahead of time with questions or topics they'd like to address in class. As a result, the class materials may not include all information covered in class. Questions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you have questions about this class' content or prerequisites, please contact us.

• Full Day Class (8:15 am - 4:30 pm)
• Sample: Table Of Contents (PDF)
• Sample: Class Excerpt (PDF)
  Mastering: Excel Charts is written in a book-style format in order to engage in the necessary depth and complexity required for this class. As a result, the sample is meant to be viewed in printed form and may not display with full clarity when viewed on screen.

Overview

While Intermediate Excel covers the basic techniques to build and manipulate charts, many of our students have commented that their charting needs extend beyond the basics. In response, the Mastering: Excel Charts class picks up where Intermediate Excel ends, focusing an entire day's time on the creation of more complex graphs. Included in the examples are several techniques for the projection of actual performance against a specified goal, tricks in stacked charts, the use of dual Y axes, and a host of other concepts. Virtually all of the most important and influential chart settings are covered in detail. Students will have an exceptional understanding of how to manipulate chart settings to meet their needs after taking this class.

Objectives

• Learn to polish basic charts: axis scaling, creating a dramatic impact by using pictures and AutoShapes in charts, building charts with "layered" X axis labels.
• Use simple options to create complex charts: XY scatter charts with drop lines, floating column charts and charts that measure actual performance against a specified goal.
• Use intermediate and advanced techniques to enhance your charts: highlighting specific data within a chart, tricks with stacked charts.
• Working with a secondary Y axis.

Prerequisite(s)

• Intermediate Excel
  Or Equivalent Experience

Other Information

• Students enrolling in this class can contact Bruce Miles ahead of time with questions or topics they'd like to address in class. As a result, the class materials may not include all information covered in class. Questions are handled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• If you have questions about this class' content or prerequisites, please contact us.

If you have usability issues with this web site, or if it does not render properly in your browser, please tell the "webmaster" (we use that term loosely). We're striving to make it as standards- and accessibility-compliant as we can, but we haven't had the opportunity to test all platforms, browsers, environments, etc.