Microsoft Excel for Economists, Analysts, and Business Professionals Workshop

The workshop focuses on intermediate-to-advanced spreadsheet techniques, graphing, shortcuts and features with great practical use, and data manipulation with Excel. Some of the more advanced topics covered are regression analysis, handling large datasets with pivot tables and filters, automating graph updating, and other useful techniques.

Although the course deals with pure Excel features, it has evolved over time (based on the combined practical experience and insights of a number of skilled and creative Excel users) to focus on how to solve problems, combining explanations of principles with practical class work. This is an interactive course that teaches by doing.

Attendees are required to indicate their areas of interest before the commencement of the course. Attendees are also welcome to bring practical examples of their work or problems as well as their own laptop.

The workshop is presented by a senior lecturer at a leading South African university who has more than 10 years of experience as a lecturer in microeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematical economics, econometrics, monetary economics, economic analysis, and financial systems. As an economist with the National Department of Agriculture and the Central Economic Advisory Services, he has gained valuable exposure to and knowledge of quantitative work, including model building, sector analysis, input-output analysis, social accounting matrices, and computer languages. His ability to apply his theoretical background and experience in econometric packages, databases, economic data, and spreadsheets adds greatly to the value of this workshop.

Who should attend the course?

This workshop will benefit those with a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel who perform statistical analysis in an economic, business, or government environment. The course covers shortcuts, features, and techniques associated with data manipulation and analysis. This is an invaluable course for individuals who want to polish or improve their Excel skills.

Users may include:

  • Economists in the banking, private, or government sectors
  • Econometricians
  • Statisticians
  • Data specialists
  • Business professionals
  • Personal assistants of business professionals
  • Local and provincial government officials
  • Financial sector analysts
  • Individuals performing forecasting and analysis

Course outcome

Participants who have completed the workshop will feel comfortable undertaking intermediate-to-advanced spreadsheet techniques, graphing, and data manipulation with Excel.

Upon completion of the course, the participant will:

  • Be familiar with the basic concepts of navigation, displays, formatting, and ranges
  • Be able to handle large datasets for economical or statistical applications
  • Know the shortcuts and techniques used in data manipulation
  • Be confident in visual Excel
  • Understand the principles and applications of functions or calculations within Excel
  • Have a good comprehension of lists, filters, pivots, and AddIns in Excel
  • Have deepened and broadened their Excel skills

Pre-requisites

  • A good understanding of the basics of Excel
  • A pre-workshop session is advised to determine the level of participants’ knowledge
  • Participants’ are grouped according to their skill level

Course options

The course is offered in packages of up to 5, up to 10, or more than 10 participants. A customised workshop may be arranged for clients who require a specialised session.