Advanced Excel Data Analysis

This unit expands students’ Excel skills in statistical analysis, forecasting, and PivotTable data modeling while introducing practical financial calculations. Students will use built-in functions and PivotTable tools to summarize, analyze, and visualize datasets, preparing them for advanced modeling and decision-making in the final unit.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze datasets using descriptive and inferential statistics in Excel by calculating measures such as mean, variance, covariance, correlation, rank, percentile, maximums/minimums, and Nth largest/smallest values and distinguishing sample versus population methods
• Apply Excel functions and formulas to perform financial modeling tasks including computing loan payments, splitting principal and interest, calculating cumulative amortization, and determining required interest rates
• Demonstrate proficiency creating and managing PivotTables by consolidating data from multiple worksheets, adding and grouping fields, inserting custom calculated items, applying and preserving custom styles, and refreshing external data
• Evaluate trends and forecasts using regression, linear and exponential trendlines, forecasted values, frequency distributions, random data generation, and basic inferential techniques to support data-driven recommendations