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7: Data Analysis With Excel

  • Page ID
    150581
  • This page is a draft and is under active development. 

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    Excel workbooks are designed to allow you to create useful and complex calculations. In addition to doing arithmetic, you can use Excel to look up data, and to display results based on logical conditions. We will also look at ways to highlight specific results. These skills will be demonstrated in the context of a typical gradebook spreadsheet that contains the results for an imaginary Excel class.

    In this chapter, we will:

    • Use the Quick Analysis Tool to find the Total Points for all students and Points Possible.
      Excel for Mac icon(Note for Mac Users: the Quick Analysis Tool is not available with Excel for Mac. We have alternate steps for Mac Users)
    • Write a division formula to find the Percentage for each student, using an absolute reference to the Total Points Possible.
    • Write an IF Function to determine Pass/Fail – passing is 70% or higher.
    • Write a VLOOKUP to determine the Letter Grade using the Letter Grades scale.
    • Use the TODAY function to insert the current date.
    • Review common Error Messages using Smart Lookup to get definitions of some of the terms in your spreadsheet.
    • Apply Data Bars to the Total Points values.
    • Apply Conditional Formatting to the Percentage, Pass/Fail, and Letter Grade columns.
    • Printing Review – Change to Landscape, Scale to Fit Columns on One Page and Set Print Area.

    Figure 3-1 shows the completed workbook that will be demonstrated in this chapter. Notice the techniques used in columns O and R that highlight the results of your calculations. Notice, also that there are more numbers on this version of the file than you will see in your original data file. These are all completed using Excel calculations.

    Completed Gradebook Worksheet
    Figure 3.1 Completed Gradebook Worksheet

    • 7.1: PivotTables/Charts
      This page provides in-depth coverage of advanced PivotTable features in Excel, emphasizing their role in big data analysis for businesses. It details how to manipulate calculated fields, add slicers, and use timelines for enhanced data visualization. The page also explains customizing calculated fields, such as averaging ACT scores by major, and managing subtotals. Furthermore, it highlights practical uses in finance management and trend analysis for both personal and small business applications.
    • 7.2: More on Formulas and Functions
      This page discusses advanced Excel techniques, highlighting the use of the =MAX function for finding maximum scores, the Quick Analysis Tool for quick calculations, and percentage calculations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding relative vs. absolute cell references, proper error handling, and keyboard shortcuts.
    • 7.3: Logical and Lookup Functions
      This page covers Excel functions for analyzing student scores, focusing on the IF function for determining pass/fail status based on a 70% threshold and the VLOOKUP function for grade retrieval. It also addresses common Excel errors like #DIV/0! and #VALUE, emphasizing the importance of date and time functions, along with instructions for their use and formatting tips.
    • 7.4: Auditing Formulas and Fixing Errors
      This page provides guidance on auditing formulas in Excel to ensure accuracy in complex worksheets, particularly for businesses. It covers methods for identifying errors, including using tools like the Watch Window, Evaluate Formula, and the Inquire add-in. It emphasizes the significance of having a culture of honesty and integrity, addressing deliberate errors, and implementing regular internal audits.
    • 7.5: Conditional Formatting
      This page provides an overview of using Conditional Formatting in Excel, particularly for a CAS 170 Grades spreadsheet. It describes techniques like Data Bars for visualizing Total Points and Highlight Cell Rules for formatting grades based on performance. The page details setup, customization, and management of these formatting options, as well as preparing the workbook for printing by adjusting settings. It emphasizes the importance of clarity and flexibility in presenting data effectively.
    • 7.6: Preparing to Print
      This page covers methods for enhancing worksheet formatting for printing, focusing on national parks data. It includes correcting errors, applying techniques like merging cells and using Print Titles, and configuring page breaks for clarity. Users learn to create headers and footers that display the date and page numbers, and the importance of checking spelling and maintaining consistent formatting.
    • 7.7: Chapter Practice
      This page details the steps for creating a professional-grade book snapshot for midterm updates, including calculating totals and percentages, determining pass/fail status and grades, and formatting for printing. It also highlights the correction of common spreadsheet errors, the use of conditional formatting for clarity, and the preparation of the worksheet layout. The final output is an Excel file containing the gradebook.


    This page titled 7: Data Analysis With Excel is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Barbara Lave, Diane Shingledecker, Julie Romey, Noreen Brown, and Mary Schatz (OpenOregon) .

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