Data Analysis with Excel and Power BI for Business Analysts — PickAClass
★ 4.7 (9) ⏱ 3h 📚 30 lessons 🎧 Audio version

Data Analysis with Excel and Power BI for Business Analysts

Transform raw data into actionable business insights using modern Excel formulas, Power Query, and interactive Power BI dashboards.

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About this course

In today's data-driven business world, the ability to quickly turn raw numbers into clear, actionable insights is a critical skill for analysts and controllers. This text-based course guides you through the foundational concepts of data analysis, bridging the gap between spreadsheet management and modern business intelligence.\n\nYou will start with the absolute basics of data structures and progress to building robust data models. By reading detailed explanations and working through practical text-based exercises, you will learn how to clean messy datasets, perform complex calculations, and present your findings effectively.\n\nWhat you'll learn:\n- Understand core data analysis concepts, terminology, and the data lifecycle\n- Clean and transform unstructured data using Power Query in both Excel and Power BI\n- Write modern Excel formulas, including dynamic arrays and advanced lookup functions\n- Build relational data models and write basic DAX measures for key business metrics\n- Design clear, interactive dashboards in Power BI to highlight key performance indicators\n- Apply analytical frameworks to solve real-world business and financial scenarios\n\nThe course begins with essential definitions and data preparation techniques before moving into advanced Excel functions. You will then transition to Power BI, learning how to connect data sources, model relationships, and build reports entirely through written guides and step-by-step conceptual walkthroughs.\n\nThis course is designed for beginners, aspiring business analysts, and financial controllers who want to upgrade their skills. No prior experience with Power BI or advanced Excel is required.\n\nStart reading today to unlock the power of your business data and elevate your reporting capabilities.

Course contents

6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h

1 Foundations of Data Analysis
Understand the fundamental concepts, terminology, and frameworks used by business analysts.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. The Role of a Business Analyst
    Introduction to how data analysis drives business decisions and the core mindset of an analyst.
    6 min
  2. Essential Data Terminology
    Defining key terms like qualitative vs. quantitative data, variables, and observations.
    6 min
  3. The Data Lifecycle Explained
    Walking through the stages of data from collection and cleaning to analysis and visualization.
    6 min
  4. Understanding Data Structures
    Learning the difference between flat files, structured tables, and unstructured data.
    6 min
  5. Analytical Frameworks for Business
    Introduction to frameworks like SWOT and Root Cause Analysis in the context of data.
    6 min
2 Data Preparation with Power Query
Learn to clean and transform messy data in both Excel and Power BI.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Intro to Power Query in Excel
    Navigating the Power Query interface and importing your first dataset.
    6 min
  2. Basic Transformations
    Learning to filter rows, remove columns, and sort data to focus on what matters.
    6 min
  3. Cleaning Messy Datasets
    Using 'Split Column' and 'Replace Values' to fix unstructured text and errors.
    6 min
  4. Data Types and Formatting
    The importance of setting correct data types (Date, Currency, Text) for analysis.
    6 min
  5. Power Query in Power BI
    Applying transformation skills within the Power BI Desktop environment.
    6 min
3 Modern Excel for Analysts
Master advanced formulas and dynamic arrays to automate spreadsheet reporting.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Introduction to Dynamic Arrays
    Understanding the 'Spill' behavior and how modern Excel handles multiple values.
    6 min
  2. The UNIQUE and SORT Functions
    Using dynamic array functions to create self-updating lists and rankings.
    6 min
  3. Advanced Lookups with XLOOKUP
    Replacing VLOOKUP with the more flexible and robust XLOOKUP function.
    6 min
  4. Logical Functions for Business
    Using nested IF, AND, and OR to categorize business data and flag issues.
    6 min
  5. Multi-Criteria Aggregations
    Summarizing data using SUMIFS and COUNTIFS for complex business reporting.
    6 min
4 Data Modeling and DAX Basics
Build relational models and write basic calculations in Power BI.
6 lessons · 36 min
  1. Relational Data Modeling Concepts
    Why multiple related tables are better than one giant spreadsheet.
    6 min
  2. Modeling Relationships
    Creating One-to-Many relationships between Fact and Dimension tables.
    6 min
  3. Connecting Data Sources
    Linking Power BI to Excel files, CSVs, and web-based data sources.
    6 min
  4. Intro to DAX: Columns vs. Measures
    Understanding when to use Calculated Columns and when to use Measures.
    6 min
  5. Your First DAX Measures
    Writing basic aggregation measures using SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT.
    6 min
  6. Calculating Key Business Metrics
    Creating DAX measures for Gross Margin, Profit, and Year-over-Year growth.
    6 min
5 Interactive Dashboards in Power BI
Design professional visuals and interactive reports to present findings.
5 lessons · 30 min
  1. Power BI Report Canvas
    Navigating the visualization pane and report view interface.
    6 min
  2. Choosing the Right Visuals
    Selecting between bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts for different data stories.
    6 min
  3. Highlighting KPIs with Cards
    Using Card and Multi-row Card visuals to make key metrics stand out.
    6 min
  4. Adding Interactivity with Slicers
    Allowing users to filter report data dynamically using slicers and filters.
    6 min
  5. Principles of Dashboard Design
    Layout and color theory basics for creating clear, professional dashboards.
    6 min
6 Business Scenarios and Final Reporting
Apply all skills to solve real-world problems and finalize a business report.
4 lessons · 24 min
  1. Financial Scenario Analysis
    Applying analytical frameworks to a monthly financial performance review.
    6 min
  2. Solving Business Problems with Data
    Using your data model to identify trends and anomalies in sales performance.
    6 min
  3. Data Storytelling for Stakeholders
    Structuring a narrative that explains the 'why' behind the numbers.
    6 min
  4. Finalizing and Building the Report
    Putting all elements together into a cohesive, multi-page business report.
    6 min
Final project

The Executive Sales Performance Dashboard

You will take a messy CSV file of raw sales data, clean it in Power Query, build a relational model with a Date table, and create a 3-page interactive Power BI dashboard.

What you'll get

  • 📜 Certificate of completion
    Add it to your LinkedIn profile
  • 💬 Personal AI tutor
    Stuck on a lesson? Ask your built-in tutor anything, any time.
  • 🎧 Audio version included
    Learn on the go — no screen needed
  • ♾️ Lifetime access
    Come back anytime, no expiry
  • 📱 Phone or computer
    Works anywhere, any device
  • 💸 14-day refund
    No questions asked
  • ⚡ Short & focused
    3h of practical content

Certificate of completion

Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.

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Certificate of Mastery
This certifies that
Name Surname
has successfully demonstrated mastery of
Data Analysis with Excel and Power BI for Business Analysts
Skills demonstrated
✓
Behavioral pattern analysis
Foundational
1.2 hrs
✓
Decision-architecture frameworks
Proficient
1.4 hrs
✓
A/B test design
Proficient
1.7 hrs
✓
Behavioral copywriting
Advanced
1.9 hrs
P
PickAClass — Name Surname
Data Analysis with Excel and Power BI for Business Analysts
Page 2 of 2
Performance detail
Coursework summary
Lessons completed 14 / 14
Practice questions 26 / 28
Assignments submitted 4 (avg 4.5 / 5)
Capstone project Reviewed — 4.6 / 5
Total practice 6.2 hrs
Performance benchmark
Cohort rank Top 12% of 1,625
Time to completion 11 days (median: 22)
Mastery score 91 / 100
Practice-question score 94%
Skill verification Verified Skill Path
Verify this credential
pickaclass.com/certificates/PCC-2026-X4F7-AP19
Issued under the academic standards of PickAClass. Skill levels reflect assessed performance against the course's competency rubric. This is an original credential of this platform.

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Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.

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Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.

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Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

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