Excel Data Analysis Foundations

This unit introduces core Excel tools and quantitative techniques for preparing, summarizing, and validating datasets. Students learn to build and manage tables, import/export data, create PivotTables/PivotCharts, use lookup and database functions, and apply basic descriptive statistics and analysis tools to support data-driven decisions, preparing them for deeper modeling and automation in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze datasets by creating, formatting, and managing Excel tables (including sorting, filtering, and structured references) to prepare data for analysis
• Apply PivotTable and PivotChart features to summarize and visualize data, including configuring fields, subtotals, summary calculations, and task pane controls
• Demonstrate use of lookup and database functions, counting and averaging functions, and Analysis ToolPak procedures to compute descriptive statistics, sample data, and best-fit trend lines
• Evaluate external data workflows and data models by importing/exporting data, managing the Excel Data Model/Power Pivot, and using conditional formatting and Goal Seek to validate and present findings