Beginners Guide to Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

1. Are you a business professional needing to up-skill?
2. Are you struggling to get a pay-rise and/or promotion?
3. Are you a recent graduate with an empty looking resume and no job experience?
4. Have you recently been laid off, fired or had a contract end?

If you answered 'yes' to any of the above then having “Expert Microsoft Office Skills” will get you closer to your goal of either landing your first job, a new job or progressing further in your current role. Here's why. 

The job market has never been more volatile. Statistically, people are changing jobs more often now than they ever have before and that also means people are also losing jobs to newcomers who are far more skilled. So if you’re not up-skilling, you’re falling behind. It’s scary I know. I’ve experienced this myself.

A study released by Microsoft and the IDC showed that among 14.6 million job postings, proficiency in Microsoft Office was ranked 2nd as the most desired skills by employers leading up to 2020. Microsoft Office proficiency ranked higher than Project Management skills, Sales Experience, Time Management, Analytical Skills, Interpersonal Skills and Work Ethics.

This is because we live in the digital age, meaning employers are looking for proficient data handlers who process data faster, are more data-organised and can communicate effectively via digital channels. These are skills everyone should have no matter the discipline because they are transferable skills. It makes you more adaptable and more valuable in the long-term. This brings us back to Microsoft Office. It is the oldest, most well-known, most affordable and most trusted data management tool available and hence everyone uses it. So to be noticed and taken seriously in your job or job application, proficiency in these programs is compulsory.

 

ONLINE TRAINING AND THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS

One of the most common problems with online learning content is that there is so much of it now and it’s difficult to know where to start or who to turn to. Many go the YouTube route and piece together videos from hundreds of tutorials from hundreds of tutors hoping to become an expert at the end of it all. This simply won’t happen and will just waste your time.

Many take the route you’re about to take, they decide to enroll in an online training course. Many charge hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars for their courses which is simply unaffordable for university students, recent graduates, the unemployed or those looking for a career change. That is the reason why I have decided to keep this course as low as possible even though I’m offering substantially more content than most of my competitors here on Udemy.

 

COURSE DELIVERY STYLE

I have been using Microsoft Office for over 20 years. I know the in’s and out’s and the simplest ways of doing things. My delivery philosophy is simple, if I can’t get a 6 year old to follow along and understand, than I’m not teaching correctly. I hate complicated language and so do you. Nobody likes trainers who focus on impressing rather than teaching and giving value to students. That is also why my lecture videos are as short as can be and divided into small sections for easy consumption. So you won’t get unnecessary chit chat or nonsense. I also assume that all my students are near-sighted and as such, I use a special software tool that allows me to draw on the screen to show exactly what I’m about to press as well as zoom in on small area’s so you don’t miss a thing.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS COURSE

Pivot Tables are extremely powerful analytic tools available in Microsoft Excel. I shall share an example of it's use using my favorite lunch time chocolate snack, M&M's!

If you don't know what M&M's, firstly you haven't lived, and second, they're awesome chocolates that come in little bite size forms in a variety of colors. So imagine someone gives you 100 M&M's. It's your job to sort them by color, by type and by size. Obviously, this will take a long time as you have to sift through the M&M's one by one. However, imagine you had some magical tool that will instantly sort the M&M's however you like. By type....No worries! By colour....even easier! 

Pivot Tables sort, group and summarize information similar to sorting M&M's by colour, size or shape. It's so easy to use and even easier to learn! In this course I'll teach you how to setup your data, how to create your first pivot, apply the different types of parameters using the pivot module, change data sources, refresh links and much more. 

So what are you waiting for, sign up today!

ABOUT ME

1. Member of the Udemy Council
2. Co-Founded Paperclip Learning which teaches Microsoft Office
3. Over 60,000 students and over 17,000 students for this course alone
4. Over 130,000 enrollments
5. Over 5,000 Positive Reviews and over 1,000 Reviews for this course
6. Over 20 courses on Udemy

Teaching is my passion and my creative outlet. I have been using the Microsoft Office package since I was a child and have been using it consistently throughout my life. My teaching experiences span from teaching primary school students, high school students, university graduates and business professionals. Professionally, I am trained in Aerospace Engineering, Database Design and Business Analytics.

TESTIMONIALS

Yu Hui Jun Yu - The courses are simply amazing and I can learn them rapidly. The hints presented were also very useful. I like the 'mini-lesson' format. Fast and efficient. The instructor's direction is very detailed and easy to understand. I can immediately start using this program. Thanks!

Narayanan Krishnamoorthy - Perfect and to the point...the instructor doesn’t waste time and gets to the point quickly!!

Lala Darchinova - I've been looking for this kind of course for ages! And finally I find it. Short, comprehensive and absolutely interesting! Thank you for the work you are doing.

Spencer Berkman - Extremely knowledgeable and clear on instructions.

E Frank - Simple to learn techniques and instructor made it all really easy. Thank you!

Parth Gandhi - I learned techniques in a very short time...no need to google and waste time finding the perfect approach.

🌟 **Course Overview:** This online course is designed for individuals looking to master the use of pivot tables in Excel. It caters to both beginners and those seeking to refresh their knowledge on the subject. The course is praised for its clarity, conciseness, and the instructor's ability to make a complex topic accessible and enjoyable. **Pros:** - **Beginner-Friendly:** The course is lauded for its step-by-step approach, which is perfect for beginners. It breaks down the process of using pivot tables into manageable parts, making it easy for new learners to follow along. - **Clear and Concise Explanations:** The instructor's ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms is a highlight. The explanations are precise and ensure that students understand the material without feeling overwhelmed. - **Engaging Presentation Style:** Many students appreciate the instructor's playful and light approach, which makes learning about pivot tables not only effective but also enjoyable. - **Practical Application:** The course not only teaches the theoretical aspects of pivot tables but also demonstrates their practical use in various scenarios. - **Error-Friendly Navigation:** The course design seems to accommodate common errors or mishaps, which can be a valuable learning experience for students. - **Versatile Learning Pace:** The course caters to different learning paces, with some finding the pace ideal for both picking up new information and reviewing familiar ground. **Cons:** - **Technical Issues:** Some students encountered technical difficulties, such as not being able to see certain actions the instructor performed within Excel, which could potentially disrupt the learning experience. - **Jargon Usage:** While the course keeps jargon to a minimum, there may still be moments where more advanced users or those familiar with specific terms might find the pace slow. - **Menu Navigation Emphasis:** A few students suggested that the instructor could emphasize their location within the Excel menus more clearly, which would be particularly helpful for beginners who are not yet accustomed to the interface. - **Pace for Fast Learners:** Some experienced users felt that the course moved too slowly for their pace, as they were already familiar with many of the concepts being taught. **Additional Notes:** - The course includes a variety of language options, as indicated by the bilingual review. - A few students highlighted the discovery of 'gold nuggets' within the course content, emphasizing that even long-term Excel users can benefit from revisiting the basics with fresh eyes. **Final Verdict:** This pivot table course is a valuable resource for anyone looking to learn or refine their skills in using pivot tables. Its strengths lie in its ability to simplify complex concepts, engage students through an entertaining teaching style, and provide practical knowledge that can be immediately applied. While there are some technical and pacing issues to consider, the overall feedback from students suggests that the course is well-worth the investment for both beginners and experienced users who wish to solidify their understanding of pivot tables in Excel.