Top 10 Advanced Excel Tricks for Data Analysis - FREE Masterclass with Sample Files

The host welcomes everyone to the live session for 2023, wishing viewers a Happy New Year. They check if the audio is clear and acknowledge viewers from various locations, including the USA, UK, Australia, India, and Indonesia. The host expresses excitement for the session and announces the topic: Top 10 Advanced Excel Tricks for Data Analysis. They mention a sample file available in the video description for viewers to follow along and encourage participation and note-taking.

The host engages with viewers, asking them what they are drinking during the session. Responses include water, hot water, protein smoothie, tea, and coffee. The host shares a personal anecdote about their coffee from India. They continue to acknowledge viewers from different parts of the world and express appreciation for their dedication to joining the live stream despite varying time zones.

The host introduces the sample file uploaded for the session and explains its contents, which include sales data for a chocolate company. They outline the agenda, starting with the Dynamic Array functionality in Excel, followed by new text processing functions, forecasting, quick analytics, conditional formatting, and Power Pivot. The goal is to cover a mix of formulas, formatting, and tables for comprehensive data analysis.

The host explains the concept of Dynamic Arrays in Excel, which allow formulas to spill over into adjacent cells if the result is an array of values. They demonstrate how to use Dynamic Arrays with a sales table, showing examples of copying data dynamically, calculating conditional values, and applying formulas that automatically adjust as data changes. This functionality simplifies working with large datasets and complex calculations.

The host introduces new text processing functions in Excel, such as TEXTBEFORE, TEXTAFTER, and TEXTSPLIT. These functions make it easier to extract parts of text strings based on delimiters. Examples include splitting names into first and last names, and breaking a sentence into individual words. The host emphasizes the usefulness of these functions for handling and analyzing text data.

The host demonstrates how to use the One-Click Forecasting feature in Excel to predict future values based on historical data. They use a dataset of donut sales to show how to create a forecast sheet, adjust forecast settings, and interpret the results. This feature helps quickly generate forecasts without complex modeling, making it useful for business planning and analysis.

The host explains the Quick Analysis tool in Excel, which provides instant options for data visualization and analysis. By selecting a range of data and clicking the Quick Analysis button, users can apply conditional formatting, add totals, create charts, and more. The host highlights the running total feature, which helps in quickly summarizing cumulative data.

The host delves into advanced conditional formatting techniques, showing how to highlight rows based on cell values and how to create dynamic rules that adjust based on user input. They demonstrate how to use formulas in conditional formatting to apply complex rules, making data analysis more insightful and visually appealing.

The host introduces the concept of combining multiple tables in Excel using the Data Model. They show how to create relationships between tables based on common columns, enabling more comprehensive analysis without the need for repetitive lookup formulas. This method is particularly useful for analyzing data that spans multiple tables.

The host demonstrates the enhanced capabilities of Pivot Tables using Power Pivot. They show how to build pivot tables from the Data Model, allowing for complex calculations and deeper insights. The session covers creating measures to perform calculations like sales per box, showcasing the advanced analytical power of Power Pivot.

The host explains how to create dynamic and interactive charts in Excel using slicers and dynamic titles. By linking charts to pivot tables and adding slicers, users can interact with the data visually. The host also shows how to create dynamic chart titles that update based on user selections, enhancing the clarity and relevance of visualizations.

The host advises against creating 'blow' charts—charts that state the obvious—and emphasizes the importance of understanding the domain and context of the data. They encourage analysts to focus on meaningful insights rather than generating charts for the sake of it. Practical advice includes engaging with real-world scenarios, talking to stakeholders, and avoiding superficial analysis.

The host wraps up the session by providing additional resources for learning advanced Excel techniques, including their Excel School program. They invite viewers to continue their learning journey through structured courses and practice. The session concludes with a Q&A segment, addressing various questions from viewers about Excel, data analysis, and related topics.