Learning Data Analytics Part 2: Extending and Applying Core Knowledge

Course details

It’s one thing to work with data. It’s another to provide quality data sets and accurate visualizations for decisions to be made. If you are considering a course emphasis or a career in data analytics, this course can help you get off to a good start. Robin Hunt, CEO and co-founder of ThinkData Solutions, shares practical skills to help you get the most from your data and jumpstart your career in data. Robin discusses business rules, filtering out the noise in the data we all deal with, and how to deliver what decision-makers want. She covers how to create data sets with queries, joins, and appends, then goes into building aggregate data with total queries. Robin goes over pivots, how to use pivots to build basic dashboards and visualizations, and how to use Power Query for data transformations. She concludes with best practices for meetings and taking your work to the next level for your organization.

Concepts

Introduction

Extending your data analysis skills
What you should know
Required software

Working with Business Data

Understanding business rules
Understanding noise in data
Breaking down the ask
Challenge - Getting started
Solution - Getting started

Building Data Sets with Queries

Understanding queries
Building basic select queries
Building distinct queries
Building queries with Joins
Building append queries
Building total queries
Challenge - Total number of orders by customer
Solution - Total number orders by customer

Chart Data Anytime and Anywhere

Ad hoc reporting
Building basic charts visual
Visuals using conditional formatting
Setting templates and default charts
Linking verus embedding charts and data
Challenge - Ad hoc presentation
Solution - Ad hoc presentation

Pivot Data Anytime and Anywhere

What are pivots
Build basic pivot tables
Modifying pivots for readability
Visualizing pivot tables
Using pivots to filter data sets
Challenge - Best customer year
Solution - Best customer year

Building in Power BI Desktop

Building dashboards
Building a matrix and visuals
Use cards for numbers
Using visuals in Power BI for filters
Publishing visuals and data sets
Challenge - Product dashboard
Solution - Product dashboard

Power Query Tips and Tricks for Data Analysts

Using column profile to learn the data
Appending data by leveraging folders
Duplicate or reference data sets
Unpivoting data from existing reports
Custom sorting in Power BI
Challenge - Custom sort by education
Solution - Custom sort by education

Presenting Data in Meetings

Consider how to present data in meetings
What to do before going company wide
Leveraging PowerPoint for presentations
Documenting data procedures
Challenge - Highlight dashboard using PowerPoint
Solution - Highlight dashboard using PowerPoint

Conclusion

Continuing on with data analysis