Learning Excel: Data Analysis

Course details

Spreadsheets are only as valuable as the insights you can pull from them. Excel gives professionals with a foundational knowledge of statistics a full tool kit for turning raw data into business intelligence—and Copilot speeds up the pattern-finding.

In this course, Microsoft Excel MVP Mynda Treacy steps through practical statistical techniques using built-in features and functions in Excel. Learn how to summarize large datasets with PivotTables, measure variability with variance and standard deviation, and calculate probabilities with common distribution functions. Mynda also shows you how to apply trendlines and regression analysis to forecast outcomes, evaluate relationships between variables (while avoiding common interpretation mistakes), and use Copilot to accelerate exploration. Along the way, you can reinforce your skills with hands-on challenges based on realistic business scenarios.

Learning objectives
Summarize and explore large business datasets by creating and analyzing PivotTables in Excel.
Calculate and interpret measures of variability, including variance and standard deviation, to assess data dispersion.
Determine the probability of business outcomes using common statistical distribution functions in Excel.
Predict future trends by applying trendlines and regression analysis to business data.
Evaluate relationships between variables and distinguish correlation from causation when interpreting results.
Use Microsoft Copilot to identify patterns, generate analysis ideas, and accelerate data exploration workflows.
Apply statistical analysis techniques to realistic business datasets to support data-driven decision-making.

Concepts

Introduction

Course overview and prerequisites

Data Analysis Essentials

Quickly understand your data with PivotTables
Measure variability with variance and standard deviation
Identifying sources of error in your data
Use AI to accelerate your analysis
Solution - Completing basic data analysis tasks in Excel

Visualizing Data

Group distributions using histograms
Identify relationships using XY scatter charts
Visualize data using logarithmic scales
Add trendlines to charts
Forecast future results
Use AI to choose the right chart
Solution - Visualize a business dataset

Calculating Probabilities, Combinations, and Permutations

Calculate simple probabilities from data
Calculate compound probabilities
Use expected value to compare outcomes
Solution - Probabilities

Using Distribution Functions in Excel

Choose the right distribution function
Calculate normal probabilities with NORM.DIST
Calculate event counts with POISSON.DIST
Calculate yes no outcomes with BINOM.DIST
Calculate time between events with EXPON.DIST
Solution - Distribution functions

Measuring Covariance and Correlation

Covariance vs. correlation
Calculate covariance in Excel
Calculate and visualize correlation in Excel
Use AI to identify relationships to test
Avoid misinterpreting correlation
Solution - Covariance and correlation

Performing Regression Analysis

When to use regression analysis
Run a simple linear regression
Read the key regression outputs
Use regression to make a prediction
Run a multiple regression
Use AI to explain regression results
Solution - Performing regression analysis

Conclusion

Next steps - Applying stats in Excel at work