Chandoo.org Podcast - Become Awesome in Data Analysis, Charting, Dashboards & VBA using Excel: Recent Episodes
Chandoo - Microsoft Excel MVP, Training & Data Analysis Specialist
Become Awesome in Excel by Chandoo.org – A podcast aimed to teach you data analysis, charting, visualization, dashboard reporting, big data analysis, Power Pivot, Self-service BI, Excel based spreadsheet-modeling, automation thru VBA, macros, project management, business analysis, interactive & dyanmic graphs, pivot tables, Excel formulas, functions, calculations, summarizing data, Excel formatting, shortcuts, productivity, application development, beginner to advanced Excel skills, excel tips, techniques, tutorials and templates. We do this by providing you with spreadsheet design strategies & tactics, Excel tips, keyboard shortcuts, productivity hacks, case studies, personal experiences, interviews with Excel authors & Microsoft MVPs, book & product reviews related to Excel and answering your Excel questions & doubts.
Bill Jelen is one of my most favorite people on earth. That is why I wanted to have him as my first guest when I restarted the podcast. Even though I recorded this few weeks ago, only now I got around to publishing it. Please enjoy the conversation with Bill.
Listen to this episodeResources for this podcast episodeMore about Bill:
- MrExcel.com (Bill’s website)
- Bill Jelen on YouTube
- Excel eSports
The post CP05: Interview with MrExcel – Bill Jelen (on his incredible work ethic) appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
On the left side, we have a veteran warrior with 37 years of data battle scars and redundant six pack. They call him SQL.
On the right side, there is a young challenger with transformative powers and “never say undo” attitude. He goes by the moniker Power Query.
Who is going to win this battle?!?
I have been using SQL for 25 years and Power Query since it came out in early 2012. And in this article, let me share my views on how SQL compares with Power Query. If you prefer to listen, check out the podcast episode – SQL vs. Power Query.
Listen: SQL vs. Power Query Podcast EpisodeSQL vs. Power Query - The ComparisonSQLPower QueryWhat can you do?
All CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete)
Only Read the data
What kind of data?
Usually single source from a database or warehouse
(ex: SQL Server)
Can access data from anywhere and combine data from multiple sources too.
How do you use it?
You need to “WRITE” queries to use SQL.
You “BUILD” Power Queries using the UI buttons and menu options.
Where can you use it?
Works almost universally. You can use SQL with most database systems and programming languages.
Only with Microsoft stack of products, primarily with Power BI, Excel and Fabric.
Who can use it?
By default, you need permissions / special software to use SQL.
Almost anyone can use Power Query as it comes packaged with Excel and Power BI.
How fast is it?
Built for performance and scalability. You can use SQL to access data quite efficiently.
Can become slow and tedious as your data grows.
Resources for Learning SQL SQL Basics * 50 SQL examples for Excel folks Resources for Learning Power Query What is Power Query and how to use it? * Learn Power Query in 15 minutes * My Power Query Essentials Course What do you think?Have you used both or either of these technologies? What do you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
The post SQL vs. Power Query – The Ultimate Comparison appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
Power BI is one of the most prominent data analytics technology out there.
Power BI is also one of the most marketed and hyped technology out there.
Unfortunately, both of these statements are true.
In a world where data is the buzz word, Power BI (or other similar platforms like Tableau) appeal to CXOs as panacea for all their data troubles.
But, just as any technology, Power BI too has it’s own shortcomings. So in this episode of my podcast, let’s uncover 4 ugly truths of Power BI.
I want to preface this discussion with a huge note of thanks & gratitude for what Power BI offers. It is a beautiful technology with a few patches of ugliness.
Episode outline: ONE: Power BI is not one technology, even though it is marketed as one. * TWO: Power BI changes frustratingly often. This makes it a hard technology to learn and use. * THREE: Power BI can get prohibitively expensive as your organization & data needs evolve.* * FOUR: Power BI visuals / outputs are unimpressive.
Listen to this episodeSubscribe to the ShowResources for this podcast episodeLearn more about Power BI:
- The truth about Power BI and how to learn it properly (video)
- Free vs. Pro vs. Premium Power BI – which one you should choose? (video)
- Introduction to Power BI and full tutorial (article)
- When & How to use various Power BI charts (guide)
- Power BI Beginner to PRO – Full Course (paid class)
The post CP03: The Ugly Truth About Power BI (actually, 4 of them) appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
So you want a 6 figure data job? In this podcast episode, I am going to share 6 strategies and tactics to land a $100k+ data job.
Episode outline:* My experience of working in a a 6 figure ($100k+) data job * 6 strategies + Build wide data skill base + Cultivate deep technical skills in 1-2 areas + Develop business & functional knowledge + Cultivate interpersonal skills & present yourself better + Strong Interviewing skills + Focus on L
Listen to this episodeSubscribe to the ShowResources for this podcast episodeIn the podcast, I talked about creating a digital wardrobe. My recommended webcam, mic & lights are below:
Recommended Webcams:
- Premium webcam: Elgato Facecam. I have been using Elgato Facecam for the last few months and just love it. It produces crisp, HD quality images & videos with almost no effort. Get it from Amazon.
- Budget webcam: If you want a good quality webcam that produces decent video and good light capture, try Logitech c920. This was my primary webcam for more than 4 years and never disappointed me. Get it from Amazon.
Recommended Mics:
- Premium mic: If your job involves a lot of talking, I suggest getting a good mic to enhance your voice quality. I use Blue Yeti Mics for my videos and livestreams and just LOVE them. Get it from Amazon.
- Budget mic: I use the Plantronics Blackwire USB headset on the go and love the voice clarity it produces. Get it from Amazon.
Recommended Lighting:
- The best lighting is natural light. So position your seat opposite to a window so that your face is getting natural light at angle. Try using sheer curtains to diffuse the strong direct sunlight.
- Alternatively get a ring light if you work from a dark room or away from windows. I suggest this one on Amazon.
The post CP02: Six Tips to get a Six Figure ($100,000+) Data Job appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
Ladies & gentlemen… I have an exciting announcement. I am relaunching my podcast!!!
It only took me 7 years, but Chandoo.org podcast is now BACK! I am planning to make regular episodes on Excel, Power BI, SQL & Data Analytics.
Why I am starting it again?Over the last year, I have been thinking about about restarting the podcast. I listen to a lot of podcasts (Tim Ferris show, All-in, Tropical MBA, Office Ladies, YouTube Creators Hub to name a few). They educate, entertain and inspire me. I want to pass along some of those benefits to you. So here we go (again).
In this episode…In the 1st episode of Season 2 of Chandoo.org podcast I talk about, Top 5 Excel Skills you need to be a Successful Data Analyst in 2023
What is in this session?In this podcast,
- Welcome message
- Top 5 (Advanced) Excel Skills
- Tables
- Power Query
- Dynamic Arrays & Spill Ranges
- Pivot Tables & Data Model
- Charting & Story-telling
Listen to this sessionSubscribe to the ShowResources for this podcastComprehensive guides on,
- Excel Tables
- Power Query – Deep introduction
- Power Query – Mini Course
- Dynamic Arrays & Spill Ranges
- Pivot Tables
- Data Model & Relationships
- Charting & Story-telling Examples
- Advanced Excel Skills
- Top 5 Excel Skills – Video
- Top 5 Data Skills – Video
The post Top 5 Excel Skills you need to be a Successful Data Analyst in 2023 (podcast) appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 56th episode of Chandoo.org podcast, let me answer the chicken and egg question of Excel users. How many formulas should you care to learn?
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Two personal updates
- 3 legs of formula writing
- Function knowledge
- Operators
- Referencing
- 6 categories of must-know functions
- Basic math
- Conditions
- Lookups
- Text
- Date & time
- Work specific
- Closing remarks & resources for you
The post CP056: So which formulas you should care to learn? appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
Ladies & gentlemen, its time we revived the much loved Chandoo.org podcast. In the 55th episode, I do a lousy imitation of Arnold Schwarzenegger's famous "I will be back" and tell you why there was such a long gap between episodes, my plans for reviving our podcast and more.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Why there was such a long gap between last and this episode
- What next?
- How to extract every 6th item from a list?
The post CP055: “Yes, I am back” edition (and a bonus Excel tip) appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 54th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's make you awesome in Pivot Tables.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Quick updates
- Top 10 pivot table tricks
- Adding same value field twice
- Tabular layouts
- GETPIVOTDATA & 2 bonus tricks
- Relationships & data model
- One slicer to rule them all
- Show only top x values
- Relative performance
- Show unique count
- Spruce up with conditional formats
- Not so ugly pivot charts
- Resources & Show notes for you
The post CP054: Top 10 Pivot Table Tricks for YOU appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 53rd session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's talk about data validation.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- What is data validation
- How Excel DV compares with database & software DV?
- Types of data validation rules
- List & custom rules explained
- Input & error messages
- Alternatives to data validation
- Enhancing data validation
- Removing data validation rules
- Homework problem for you
- Resources & show notes
The post CP053: Excel Data Validation for Dummies appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 52nd session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's discuss monkeys, Ok, I am kidding. We are going to talk about M is for Data Monkey book.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Updates: Why so much gap between episodes?
- Quick introduction to Power Query
- Why you should get this book?
- What is in this book?
- A very cool example of the techniques you will learn
- Conclusions
The post CP052: Book Review – M is for Data Monkey by Ken & Miguel appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 51st session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's discuss most frequently asked questions about VLOOKUP.**
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- What is VLOOKUP?
- What happens when VLOOKUP can't find the value?
- Should my list be sorted?
- Is VLOOKUP slower than INDEX + MATCH?
- What if my list has multiple matches?
- How to fetch 2nd / 3rd matching item?
- How to fetch all matching items?
- How to fetch items matching multiple conditions?
- How to speed up VLOOKUP?
- Why doesn't my VLOOKUP work?
- What to do in case of errors?
- Resources for you
The post CP051: VLOOKUP FAQs – Most frequently asked questions about VLOOKUP – Answered appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
This is going to be epic!!! In the 50th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we have 50 Excel tips to make you awesome.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Thank you message
- Fifty tips in 5 buckets
- Shortcuts & Productivity
- Formulas
- Managing Data
- Charts
- Using Excel better
The post CP050: Fifty Excel Tips to make you awesome appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 49th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's talk about data dumps!
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- What is a data dump
- Examples of data dump
- Why we dump
- Ways to avoid data dumps
- Go for information dumps
- Sort the dump
- Filter the dump
- Give a table
- Resources for you
The post CP049: Don’t do data dumps!!! appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 48th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's make some animated charts!!!
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Announcements
- Why animate your charts?
- Non-VBA methods to animate charts
- Excel 2013's built-in animation effects
- Iterative formula approach
- VBA based animation
- Cartoon film analogy
- Understanding the VBA part
- Example animated chart - Sales of a new product
- Resources and downloads for you
The post CP048: How to create animated charts in Excel? appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 47th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's see how Excel can make you an awesome entrepreneur.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Why Excel for entrepreneurs
- Key areas of a business owner's work
- Projects & to dos
- Finances
- Customers & marketing
- Planning & strategy
- Processes & workflows
- 5 features of Excel that help
- Conclusions
The post CP047: Best Excel tools for Entrepreneurs appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 46th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's talk about gantt charts and project plans.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- A brief intro to Excel 2016
- What is a Gantt chart?
- How Gantt charts can help us?
- How to create Gantt charts in Excel
- Using bar charts with invisible series
- Using conditional formatting and formulas
- Using ready-made templates
- Resources on Gantt charts & project planning
- Conclusions
The post CP046: Gantt charts & project planning using Excel appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 45th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's get in to Monte Carlo simulations.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Quick personal updates - 200km BRM and book delay
- History of Monte Carlo simulations
- Monte Carlo simulations - an example
- How to do simulations in Excel
- Formulas
- VBA
- Data Tables
- Using data tables to run simulations - case study - estimating Pi value
- Things to keep in mind when setting up your simulation models
- Resources on Monte Carlo simulations in Excel
- Conclusions
The post CP045: Introduction to Monte Carlo Simulations in Excel appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 44th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's talk about failures.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Book announcement about Dashboards for Excel
- Story of my first ever dashboard
- Important lessons - Requirement Analysis for dashboards
- Resources for creating awesome dashboards
- Podcasts
- Books
- Courses
The post CP044: My first dashboard was a failure!!! appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 43rd session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's talk about top time saving features of Excel.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Quick announcement about Awesome August
- My 9 favorite time saving features of Excel
- Remove Duplicates
- Tables
- Pivot Tables
- Auto fill
- Format Painter
- Find & Replace
- VBA / Macro Recorder
- Auto save
- Auto complete / Intellisence
- Recap & Conclusions
The post CP043: My favorite time saving features of Excel, Revealed. appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 42nd session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's talk about money. We are going to learn about various concepts that are vital for doing financial analysis and building models.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Quick announcement about Awesome August
- 5 key finance concepts
- Time value of money
- Compound interest
- Risk free rate of return
- Net Present Value - NPV
- Internal Rate of Return - IRR
- Case study - Uber vs. Your car
- Conclusions
The post CP042: Financial Analysis & Modeling concepts – 101 appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 41st session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's take a trip to data hell and meet 6 ugly, clumsy, confusing charts. I am revisiting a classic Chandoo.org article - 6 Charts you will see in hell.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Quick announcement about Awesome August
- 6 charts you should avoid
- 3D charts
- Pie / donut charts with too many slices
- Too much data
- Over formatting
- Complex charts
- Charts that don't tell a story
- Conclusions
The post CP041: 6 charts you’ll see in hell – v2.0 appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 40th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's talk about Power Query. I have the pleasure and fortune to catch up with Miguel Escobar (who along with Ken Puls runs PowerQuery.Training website) and talk about this very exciting piece of technology and how it can make our life simpler.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Welcome
- Miguel's introduction, background and current projects
- What is Power Query
- How to install it
- Sample use cases of Power Query
- What is Power BI
- Resources for learning Power Query - Books & Courses
The post CP040: Intro. to Power Query – What is it and how to get started – with Miguel Escobar appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 39th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's learn about FOR loops.
There is a special giveaway in this podcast. It is a workbook with several FOR loop VBA code examples. Listen to the episode for instructions.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Announcements
- What is a loop - plain English & technical definitions
- For Loop vs. other kind of loops (While & Until)
- For Next loops
- For Each loops
- Nested For loops
- Special tips on For loops
- Performance issues & infinite loops
- Conclusions & giveaway
The post CP039: May the FOR Loop be with you – Introduction to For Loops in Excel VBA appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 38th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's optimize data to ink ratio of your charts.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Announcements
- What is Data to Ink Ratio?
- Obvious ways to optimize Data to Ink Ratio
- More ways to optimize Data to Ink ratio
- Highlighting what is important
- Conclusions
The post CP038: Data to Ink Ratio – What is it, How to optimize it, Techniques & Discussion appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 37th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's debug 'em #VALUEs & #N/As.
What is in this session?
In this podcast,
- Introduction to Excel formula errors
- The easy kind: syntax errors
- The triky ones: # ERRORs
- Fixing errors - using IFERROR & ISERROR
- Error checking & debug options
- Using Errors deliberately - charts & data validation
- A challenge for you - produce #NULL error
- Conclusions
The post CP037: Error error on the wall, How do I fix you all? – Understanding & Fixing Excel Errors appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 36th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's follow the trend.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- A quick trip to down under
- What is trend analysis
- 4 types of common trends
- linear
- curve
- cyclical
- strange
- Doing trend analysis in Excel - the process
- How to use trend analysis results
- Conclusions
The post CP036: How to do trend analysis using Excel? appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 35th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's hear from Dan Fylstra, the creator of Excel Solver. I had the fortune of meeting Dan when I was in Santa Clara last month. I immediately asked him to be part of Chandoo.org podcast and he was kind enough to agree. So today let's take a trip down the memory line, hear him talk about some of the fascinating all the early development stories of Solver, VisiCalc & Excel.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Introduction
- Early days of Solver
- Working with VisiCalc, migration to Excel
- What keeps Dan busy these days
- Advice for anyone planning to learn Solver & business modelling
The post CP035: on Solver, its story and future – Interview with Dan Fylstra appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 34th session of Chandoo.org podcast, Let's hear from Jordan Goldmeier - my friend, fellow blogger, Excel blogger & author. After many years of interaction thru email, blogs, Skype calls, finally I met him at PASS BA conference at Santa Clara this week. He gave me a copy of his new book - Advanced Excel Essentials and I immediately asked him to do a podcast. So here we go.
What is in this session? In this podcast,
- Introduction
- What is this book all about
- Sample chapter review - User forms
- Design principles for creating advanced user interactions
- How to become advanced Excel user - pathway recommended by Jordan
- More info about Jordan
- A secret for you
The post CP034: Advanced Excel Essentials book talk with Jordan Goldmeier appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 33rd session of Chandoo.org podcast, let’s turn the mic to our listeners and hear their tips. What is in this session? This session has 2 things. A surprise Easter egg (an Excel tip hidden in the podcast audio) Collection of Excel tips recorded & submitted by Chandoo.org readers Listen to this session Click here […]
The post CP033: There is an Easter egg in this podcast!!! appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 32nd session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's make legendary column charts.
What is in this session? Column charts are everywhere. As analysts, we are expected to create flawless, strikingly beautiful & insightful column charts all the time. Do you know the simple rules that can help you create legendary column charts?
That is our topic for this podcast session.
In this podcast, you will learn
- Few personal announcements
- Rule 0: Start at zero
- Rule 1: Sort the chart
- Rule 2: Slap a title on it
- Rule 3: Axis + grid-lines vs. Lables
- Rule 4: Moderate formatting
- Conclusions
The post CP032: Rules for making legendary column charts appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 31st session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's disappear.
What is in this session? Spreadsheets are complex things. They have outputs, calculation tabs, inputs, VBA code, from controls, charts, pivot tables and occasional picture of hello kitty. But when it comes to making a workbook production ready, you may want to hide away few things so it looks tidy.
That is our topic for this podcast session.
In this podcast, you will learn
- Quick announcements first anniversary of our podcast etc.
- Hiding cells, rows, columns & sheets
- Hiding chart data points
- On/off effect with form controls, conditional formatting
- Making objects, charts, pictures disappear
- Disabling grid-lines, formula bar & headings
- Hiding things in print
The post CP031: Invisibility Tricks – How to make things disappear in Excel? appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 30th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's learn how to uncover fraud in data.
What is in this session? In the wake of hedge fund scams, accounting frauds and globalization, We, analysts are constantly second guessing every source of data. So how do you answer a simple question like, "am I being lied to?" while looking at a set of numbers your supplier has sent you.
That is our topic for this podcast session.
In this podcast, you will learn
- Quick announcements about 50 ways & 200k BRM
- Introduction to fraud detection
- 5 techniques for detecting fraud
- Benford's law
- Auto correlation
- Discontinuity at zero
- Analysis of distribution
- Learning systems & decision trees
- Implementing these techniques in Excel
- A word of caution
The post CP030: Detecting fraud in data using Excel – 5 techniques for you appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 29th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's impress the boss with Excel charts.**
What is in this session? Many Excel charts live a short life. They spawn in an ambitious analyst's spreadsheet. They go to boss with literallyflying colors. The boss frowns, they disappear in to recycle bin.
Don't curse your Excel charts with short life span.
Here is a 6 step road map to help you create awesome Excel charts, everytime.
That is our topic for this podcast session.
In this podcast, you will learn
- Quick announcements about 50 ways & Einstein
- 6 step road map for charting success
- ONE: Dig your data
- TWO: Validate insights
- THREE: Pick charts that go well
- FOUR: Add title & message
- FIVE: Remove clutter
- SIX: Prompt action
- A real life example with road map in action
- Resources for creating awesome charts
The post CP029: Impress your boss with Excel charts – 6 step road map for you appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 28th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's figure out how to express business rules & logic to Excel.
What is in this session? What good are spreadsheets if they can't solve business problems?
But we all struggle when it comes to modeling real world business conditions in Excel. For example, if you have below business rule to decide how much discount to offer a customer,
- If the customer bought 3 or more times previously and offer 15% discount
- If the customer bought 1 or 2 times previously AND customer's age is >40, offer 10% discount
- If the customer visited our New York store between 6PM-9PM offer 5% discount
- Else no discount
How would you go about modeling these in Excel?
That is our topic for this podcast session.
In this podcast, you will learn
- The challenge of modeling business logic & rules in Excel
- My struggles with such formulas in early days
- 4 features of Excel that can help you with this.
- Example business rules & how to write formulas
The post CP028: How to tell business logic & rules to Excel? appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 27th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's pave way for an awesome 2015.
We are going to talk about 15 proven strategies for making you awesome in Excel & Your work.
What is in this session? We all get fresh dose of energy, enthusiasm & drive during new years. So we aim for bigger & more awesome things. But once the first few weeks are over, we just settle down to the normal rhythm and forget about these big, hairy & audacious goals.
Let's make 2015 different. In this podcast, Let's understand how you can become awesome in Excel & your work this year, with 15 proven strategies:
- Announcements - my new year & plans for next few months
- Becoming awesome - 3 important areas of focus
- Learning
- New formulas
- New features
- Different charts
- Macros
- Linkup Excel with other software
- Get a book
- Join a course
- Application
- Take up a work project
- Consulting
- Mimic a chart in Excel
- Beyond XL - Power Pivot etc.
- Sharing
- Forums
- Helping a colleague
- Comment on blogs
- Train your team
The post CP027: 15 proven strategies to be awesome in 2015 appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
A big, warm & pleasant hello to you.
I wish you a merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2015. May your holidays be filled with joy, togetherness, celebrations and fulfillment. May your new year be filled with hope, energy and awesomeness.
I want to tell you how thankful I am for all your support in this year. Every time you visit our website, read an article, leave a comment, enroll in a course, purchase a product, read one of my books, listen to a podcast episode, watch a video or tell your friends about Chandoo.org, I feel nothing but gratitude, thankfulness and amazement. 2014 is the most successful year since starting Chandoo.org, all thanks to you. Heartfelt thanks to you, from my family, staff and volunteers.
About this year's holiday card
We took this picture recently when we went to Udaipur (a city in northern India). For a change, no one closed their eyes when the camera clicked.
A holiday gift for you...
Read on to download your special holiday gift.
The post Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 2015 [Holiday Gift Inside] appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 26th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's learn all about Excel !@#$%^+/(}][<.*
I am talking about Excel operators, you silly.
What is in this session?
Do you know Excel has more than 25 operators? That is right. There are a variety of operators beyond the simple + - * and /.
In this podcast, let's understand all about these operators and how to use them. You will learn,
- Why there is a gap between last & this podcast session
- About Excel operators
- Arithmetic operators
- Text operators
- Reference operators
- Comparison operators
- Closing thoughts
The post CP026: All about Excel !@#$%^+/*(}][< appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 25th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's learn how to avoid SSUP syndrome.
What is in this session?
Most of us suffer from Sexy on the Spreadsheet, Ugly on Printout syndrome. I used to suffer from it too. This happens because we spend all our attention creating that perfect workbook, report or model. And then, we forget about making the proper print settings.
In this podcast, let's understand how to create awesome workbooks that look great and print great.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Frozen & Cars, where my free time goes
- Primer on print settings
- Width & height of printouts
- Page breaks
- Row & column repetitions on every page
- Size & orientation of paper
- Dealing with unprintables
- Proofing your print settings
- Printing whats not on screen
- Closing thoughts
The post CP025: Sexy on spreadsheet, Ugly on Printout appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 24th session of Chandoo.org podcast, let's customize Excel so we become productive.
What is in this session?
Each of us use Excel in our own way. And yet, we all end up using the same Excel. That's not fair. Shouldn't the Excel of an accountant be different from Excel of a teacher?
In this podcast, lets understand some of the powerful & useful ways to customize Excel so that we can do our work better. Tune in only if you are serious about productivity.
You can get Excel Customization Handbook free. Listen to the podcast for instructions.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Announcements
- Why customize Excel?
- Customization options:
- Excel Options
- Quick Access Toolbar
- Excel Ribbon
- File menu / back stage view
- Themes, styles & templates
- Personal Macros
- Closing thoughts & Bonus give away instructions
The post CP024: Customize Excel to boost your productivity appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 23rd session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets talk about my experience with Hudhud cyclone.
Note: This podcast session has no Excel tips. It is a story of how our family is surviving the effects & aftermath of destructing Hudhud cyclone that recently (on 12th October) passed thru our city. Hopefully, you still find it interesting & inspiring. If you are expecting some Excel tips, check again next week.
What is in this session? Growing up, I lived all my childhood in coastal cities. So cyclones & severe storms are not new to me. But first time, I have experienced anything as severe, destructive & long as Cyclone Hudhud. After the cyclone, we (our family and 1000s of other families in Vizag, our city) had to endure days with no power, water, cellular signals and access to essential supplies. Fortunately, great progress has been made in the last few days and things are restoring to normalcy. We (our locality) is expecting to have power & regular water supply by this Sunday (19th of October).
The post CP023: My experience with Hudhud Cyclone [personal story] appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 22nd session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets do some macros.
What is in this session? VBA (or macros, automation) is a mystery for many of us. So in this podcast, lets unravel the mystery behind it and get you started with the awesome world of automation.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- What is a macro?
- What is VBA then?
- Reasons for using VBA Macros
- Automation
- Extending Excel's capabilities
- Efficiency
- Applications
- How to get started with VBA Macros?
- Using Recorder
- Example Macro
- Going beyond recorder - Learning VBA
The post CP022: What’s a Macro? Introduction to Excel VBA, Macros & Automation appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 21st session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets compare lists. Quickly
What is in this session?
Comparing things is a favorite pastime for analysts all over the world. Sadly, it is also an area where we waste hours. So in this episode, I share my top secret comparison techniques to save you time.
Note: This is a short format podcast. That means you spend less time listening to it, while becoming more awesome.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Why I sound like I am on a secret mission at a mafia hideout.
- 5 ways to compare 2 lists
- Manual method
- Conditional Formatting
- Row Differences
- LOOKUP formulas
- COUNTIF formulas
- Bonus tip: Removing duplicates
- Conclusions
The post CP021: How to quickly compare 2 lists in Excel appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 20th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets save some time.
What is in this session? We all want to save time and stay productive. The obvious answer seems like using keyboard shortcuts. But they can only get you so far. So what about the real productive strategies? That is what we address in this podcast.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Announcements
- 5 key areas of business analyst work - tracking, analysis, reporting, data management & modeling
- Time saving strategies for tracking
- for analysis
- for reporting
- for data management
- for modeling
- Conclusions
The post CP020: Top 10 time saving strategies for business analysts appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 19th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets talk about modeling best practices.
What is in this session? I am very happy to interview my good friend, blogger, author, excel trainer & business-women - Danielle Stein Fairhurst for this session. I first met Danielle when I went to Sydney, Australia in April 2012. Our friendship & collaboration grew a lot in the last 2.5 years. She is a great speaker & trainer. This episode is loaded with her trademark style commentary, explanation & tips for better modeling. I hope you will enjoy it.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Introduction to Danielle & her work
- 6 Tips for Best Practice Modeling
- Write consistent formulas
- Avoid hard-coding
- Smart referencing
- Ditch the bad habits
- Document assumptions
- Format & label things
- Resources for learning more
The post CP019: 6 Tips for Best Practice Modeling – Interview with Danielle from Plum Solutions appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 18th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets loose your Pivot table virginity.
Note: This is a short format episode. Less time to listen, but just as much awesome.
What is in this session?
Pivot tables are a very powerful & quick way to analyze data and get reports from Excel. But surprisingly, not many use them. Today, lets bust your pivot table virginity and understand the concepts like pivoting, values, labels, filters, groups and more.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Announcements
- What is a Pivot Table?
- Example of business data & reporting needs
- Key pivot table terms to understand
- Creating your first pivot table
- Learning more about pivot tables
The post CP018: Dont be a Pivot Table Virgin! appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 17th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets leave Excel aside and talk about other MS Office apps.
Thats right. We will be learning 10 tips on how to use Word, Power Point, Outlook etc. Ready?
In this podcast, you will learn,
- About Paul
- Ten tips for MS Office
-
- Use Excel to communicate instead of just calculations
-
- Paste Special
-
- Double click trick!
-
- Inserting screenshots
-
- Turning off notifications
- & more...
The post CP017: Top 10 non-Excel MS Office tips for you – Interview with Paul Woods – Office MVP & Blogger appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 16th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets review 3 very useful books for aspiring analysts.
What is in this session?
Analytics is an increasingly popular area now. Every day, scores of fresh graduates are reporting to their first day of work as analysts. But to succeed as an analyst?
By learning & practicing of course.
And books play a vital role in opening new pathways for us. They can alter the way we think, shape our behavior and make us awesome, all in a few page turns.
So in this episode, let me share 3 must have books for (aspiring) analysts.
The post CP016: 3 Must have books for aspiring analysts appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 15th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets answer some of your burning Excel questions.
What is in this session?
Around last week, I invited you to ask me anything. More than 150 people responded to this call and sent in their questions. Since answering all the questions is not possible, I handpicked roughly 10 questions to answer in this episode of Chandoo.org podcast.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- How to fill blank cells with data from above
- How to work with Big data in Excel
- How to combine data from multiple sources & analyze it in Excel
- How I am managing my life after starting Chandoo.org
- How to create and distribute stand-alone Excel products
- How to control a model railroad set using Excel VBA (not fully answered)
- & more...
The post CP015: Handling big data, Controlling model railroad sets, Overcoming Excel obsession & more – ASK CHANDOO appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 14th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets figure out how to make awesome dashboards.
What is in this session? Excel based dashboards are much in demand these days, thanks to advancements in Excel & growing pressure on costs. Now a days, analysts & managers are expected to quickly put together a dashboard using Excel. But how do you make a dashboard? What process you should follow?These are the questions we address in this podcast.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Announcements about upcoming dashboard classes
- Ten step process for creating awesome dashboards
-
- Talk to your end users
-
- Make a sketch of the dashboard
-
- Validate your understanding
-
- Collect data
-
- Structure the data
- ...
The post CP014: How to create awesome dashboards – 10 step process for you appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 13th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets turn our attention to on-going FIFA worldcup and ask an important question.
What is in this session?
A week ago, we discussed "Has it been a late goal FIFA worldcup?" and used various charts & analysis techniques to answer the question. In podcast, lets tackle the same problem, understand various approaches to answer questions like these & shares some lessons for all the analysts.
The post CP013: Is this a FIFA worldcup of late goals, lets ask Excel [How to analyze data to answer questions like these…] appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 12th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets get productive fast.
Announcement: Short format podcasts sessions once a month
Based on listener feedback, I am adding short format sessions (20 mins). This short format sessions will run once a month (along with longer sessions that we publish almost every week) so that you have something light & easy to chew between heavy doses of Excel awesomeness.
I hope you like this new format. Do let me know what you think in comments.
And I really appreciate your reviews & comments on iTunes. Please click here and post your review.
The post CP012: Top 10 Excel Keyboard Shortcuts for you appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
If you want to create magical effect with your Excel workbook (or report, dashboard, model), then hear no further. In this episode, we explore 5 very powerful magic tricks you can apply to get jaw dropping reactions from your bosses, clients & colleagues.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Annoucements
- Why magic
- 5 Excel Magic Tricks
- 1: Conditional formatting
- 2: Form controls + Charts
- 3: Pivot tables + Slicers
- 4: Macros + Automation
- 5: Using right feature @ right time
- How to learn these magic tricks
- Conclusions
The post CP011: 5 Excel magic tricks to impress your boss appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
This is a continuation of Session 9 - Averages are mean
In the earlier episode, we talked about AVERAGE and why it should be avoided. In this session, learn about 8 power analysis techniques that will lift your work above averages.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Re-cap - Why avoid averages
- 8 Techniques for better analysis
-
1: Start with AVERAGE
-
2: Moving Averages
-
3: Weighted Averages
-
4: Visualize the data
- ...
- Conclusions
The post CP010: Averages are Mean – 8 Techniques for making your analysis above average appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 9th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets raise above AVERAGEs.
AVERAGEs are a very popular and universal way to summarize data. But do you know they are mean? Mean as in, AVERAGEs do not reveal much about your data or business. In episode 9 of Chandoo.org podcast, we tackle this problem and present solutions.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- What is AVERAGE?
- Pitfalls of averages
- 5 statistic concepts you must understand
- Standard Deviation
- Median
- Quartiles
- Outliers
- Distribution of data
- What next?
The post CP009: Averages are Mean – Know these things before you make any more AVERAGE()s appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
Here is a problem we all face once in a while. We inherit this bulky, bloated, leaking at the edges workbook from a colleague. Now the onus of maintaining it is on us. The person who made this workbook is nowhere to be found. May be she is vacationing in Hawaii sipping pineapple juice. May be he became a vice president and roaming the country in your company's private jet.
So what do we do? How do we handle this inheritance?
That is the topic of our podcast, episode 8.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- An overview of the inheritance problem
- 6 Tips to understand workbooks made by someone else
- Tip 0: Talk to the creator
- Tip 1: Model the workbook on paper
- Tip 2: Locate the engine, ie the formulas
- Tip 3: See what else is under the hood - hidden sheets, names, VBA code
- Tip 4: Annotate (add comments) as you learn
- Tip 5: Locate the controls - inputs, assumptions, scenarios
- Tip 6: Re-construct from scratch
- Deep dive in to understanding the formulas
- Deep dive in to understanding VBA code
- Conclusions
The post CP008: 6 Tips to handle workbooks made by someone else, #4 is something I struggle with too! appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 7th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets make you aweSUM().
Imagine for a second that Excel cannot add up numbers. And no it cant subtract them either. What would that look like?
A glorified Notepad. That's right. Excel's ability to add up numbers, along with features like formulas, charts, pivot tables & BHATTEXT() are what make it such a lovely software. May be not the BHATTEXT(), but we all agree that Excel is so versatile and useful because it can add up numbers (and perform other calculations) with ease.
But how well do you know the SUM formulas of Excel?
In this podcast, you will learn,
- Special personal fruit announcement :P
-
- operator
- Status bar & total rows in tables
- Auto Sum feature
- SUM() function
- SUMIFS function
- Special cases of SUMIFS function
- SUBTOTAL & AGGREGATE functions
- Other summing functions - SUMPRODUCT etc.
The post CP007: aweSUM() – Overview of SUM functions in Excel appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 6th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we focus on making you a better analyst and propose a road map for getting better at data analysis & improving your career prospects.
In this podcast you will learn,
- Why become a better analyst?
- The road map for becoming a better analyst - BETTER framework
- B for Business Knowledge
- E for Examining user needs
- T for Thinking about analysis
- T for Tools of Trade ie Excel
- E for Expression
- R for Refining yourself
- Conclusions
The post CP006: How to be a better analyst? – Road map for getting better at Data Analysis & Improving your career prospects appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 5th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we are going to demystify form controls.
I am very happy and excited to interview my good friend, fellow Excel MVP, author, blogger and virtual mentor - Debra Dalgleish about this topic.
In this podcast, you will learn,
- What are form controls
- When you would use them?
- Example form control - Combo box
- How form controls differ from active-x controls
- How to enable form controls in your Excel?
- Various important form controls
- Special bonus & how to obtain it
The post CP005: Introduction to Form Controls – an interview with Debra Dalgleish appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the 4th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets talk about Pie charts.
Pie charts evoke strong opinions among analysts & managers. Some people love them and can't have enough of them in reports. Others despise them and go to any lengths to avoid them. And that is why we are going to talk about them in this session.
You will learn,
- Special, secret transmission from guest stars
- What is a pie chart?
- Why they work? 2 reasons
- Why they don't work ? 4 reasons
- Cousins & siblings of Pie charts
- Donut charts
- Gauge charts (speedometer)
- 3D pies
- Area charts
- Bubble charts
- 4 Situations when making a pie chart is ok
- Alternatives to Pie charts
- Mistakes you should avoid
- About the resources
- Conclusions
The post CP004: Can I Pie Chart in Public? Discussion about Pie charts, their merits and drawbacks, when to use & when to avoid them appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the third session of Chandoo.org podcast, we are going to get BI curious. ;)
Not that kind you silly, We are talking about Business Intelligence, Big Data, Power Pivot & other Power BI family members. In this session, I am happy to feature Mike Alexander - Microsoft MVP, Author, Blogger & a good friend. Mike talks about how Excel is shaping the BI (Business Intelligence) revolution with advent of Power BI functionality.
You will learn,
- Introduction, what Mike is up to these days?
- What is BI, what does it mean to an average Excel analyst?
- What BI capabilities Excel has - brief intro to each of them
- Power Pivot & what it does
- Power Query & why it is important
- Power View & how it works (and where it sucks)
- Power Maps
- How to learn about these new technologies
- Recommended Books
- Websites
- Courses
- Live classes
- Special gift for our listeners
The post CP003: Business Intelligence for Masses – Interview with Mike Alexander appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
In the second session of Chandoo.org Podcast, We will be learning how to use 5 Excel lookup functions.
What is in this session?
In this session, we tackle one of the most important areas of Excel. The lookup functions.
You will learn,
- Why lookup functions are necessary
- 5 Important lookup functions in Excel - VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, LOOKUP, MATCH & INDEX
- When & how to use each of these 5 functions?
- Extreme scenarios:
- What happens when the value you are looking up is not there?
- What if too many items match the lookup value?
- What if you have too many conditions in the lookup criteria?
- Using IFERROR function
- Re-cap of the new powers you acquired
- 4 Resources for you to learn lookup functions better
The post CP002: VTALKUP – 5 Excel lookup functions demystified + 4 Resources for you appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.
Chandoo.org Podcast is here....
Friends, fans & supporters of Chandoo.org,
I am so happy to add another dimension to our website. Chandoo.org podcast is finally here. You can listen to the inaugural episode by using the audio player above.
The post CP 001: Chandoo.org Podcast First Episode – Introduction, What to expect, Show formalities & Special gift appeared first on Chandoo.org - Learn Excel, Power BI & Charting Online.