DATA MANAGEMENT

Microsoft Excel has become one of the most widely used data analysis programs. They are undeniably
doubting one of the most sought-after analytic tools accessible, with installed pivot tables. It is an all-in-
one data management application that enables you to simply import, examine, clean, analyze, and
visualize your data.

Excel, as a spreadsheet tool, can store vast amounts of data in workbooks that have one or more
worksheets. On the other hand, it is built for data analysis and calculation as well as database
management. You can use this versatile tool to create models for analyzing data, write simple and
sophisticated formulas to execute calculations on that data, pivot the data in any way you want, and
present data in a wide range of professional-looking charts.

How to Create a Database in Excel

If you’ve struggled with creating or maintaining a database, you might feel every day is Day One because
tracking is a labor-intense task in Excel.

So, let’s learn how to create a database in Excel to sidestep the complexities and get to the good part:
interacting with our data!

Step 1: Set up a data spreadsheet framework 

Open an Excel spreadsheet, place your cursor in the A1 cell, and type in your database title. 

Go to the next row, and from left to right, use the Tab key to move through your blank database to add
your column headers. Feel free to use this list as inspiration for your spreadsheet:

 Client Name
 Contact Name
 Email
 Health Level (drop down)
 Support Level (drop down)
 Engagement Level (drop down)
 Last Touchpoint
 NPS Score
Step 2: Add or import data
You have the option to manually enter data or import data from an existing database using the External
Data tab. Keep in mind you will have a database field for certain columns. Here’s another list for
inspiration: 

 Client Name
 Contact Name
 Email
 Health Level (drop down: At Churn Risk, Average, Very Good)
 Support Level (drop down: Gold, Silver)
 Engagement Level (drop down: High, Medium, Low)
 Last Touchpoint
 NPS Score

Step 3: Convert your data into a table

Now let’s convert your data into a data model table!

Click inside any cell with data (avoid blank rows), and from the menu toolbar, go to Insert tab > Table.
All the rows and columns with your data will be selected. We don’t want the title to be included in the
table, so we have to manually highlight the table without the title. Then, click OK. 
Step 4: Format the table 
From the Table tab in the menu toolbar, choose any table design to fit your preference. Knowing where
your table will be displayed will help you decide. Looking at a spreadsheet on a big screen in a
conference room versus a 16-inch laptop makes all the difference to a person’s experience with the
data!

Step 5: Save your database spreadsheet

Finally, save your spreadsheet because you will have to come back and manually edit your database
multiple times a day or week with the latest information. Set up Future You for success, so you don’t risk
starting over! 
Go to File > Save As > Name your database > click Save. 

Microsoft Excel also allows you to store and alter data for commercial or personal use. The capabilities
in Excel allow you to comprehend data sets in a manner comparable to that of a database. Such
interpretations can provide information about the company's performance, inform management
decisions, and eventually aid in future planning. Data interpretation in Microsoft Excel might potentially
comprise a variety of operations supported by the software's functionality, such as collating, processing,
filtering, and visualizing data values.

Fortunately, there are various choices in Excel for gathering and organizing data. For example, if you
have 100 individual Excel spreadsheets, you can combine them into a single workbook to save time. You
can also import data from other programs into Excel. For example, you may import data from Salesforce
or Google Analytics into Excel and then enhance it however you like.

1. Use Templates

You should not waste your time trying to recreate Excel spreadsheets from scratch every time you want
to analyze your data. Instead, Microsoft Excel already includes a wide range of user-made templates.

Simply click on File > New and choose one of the many templates that come with Excel. Of course, you
might have difficulty finding a template that perfectly suits your data analysis process, you can still find
one, which you can easily format to make it look better and more functional.
 2. Highlighted Data

As with any management tool, you should always highlight the most important information. The same
applies when you are working in Excel, especially if you have a whole team working in a single
spreadsheet.

One of the easiest ways you can do this is to create a dashboard sheet where your key data points will
be summarized.

In addition, you should always keep your key information in an easy-to-read font while using conditional
formatting in order to assign the heights and color to important cells.

These are simple presentation tactics that are going to make your organizational data analysis go much
smoother.

3. Sort Your Data

One of the integral parts of data analysis is knowing how to sort your data. No matter whether you want
to sort the names alphabetically or list the products from lowest to the highest price, it doesn’t matter
how you do it.

Sorting your data will help you quickly understand and visualize your data better. Excel allows you to
sort your data alphabetically, numerically, and by date and time. You can also choose to sort it by a
custom list that you create, or by formatting, font color, icon set, or by including cell color.

After selecting the columns or rows that you want to sort, simply click on Sort & Filter in the Data tab
and be given more options to sort your data.

4. Use Multiple Sheets!

When you are working on something complex or working with a lot of information overall, do not forget
that Excel allows you to simultaneously use many spreadsheets.

You do not have to store all your information on a single spreadsheet. Instead, spread your data across
multiple spreadsheets and label it accordingly. This will allow you to find all the info that you need
easily.

5. Hide Unnecessary Data

When you have too much information in a spreadsheet, it is difficult to focus on the right things. If you
find yourself getting lost in numbers, maybe it is time to review your spreadsheets, component by
component.

If you find any type of information that doesn’t seem necessary or important anymore, you can hide it.
Excel has a feature that lets you hide columns, sheets, or rows that you no longer require, but don’t
want to delete.

Data visualization tools are usually capable of hiding information such as assumptions numbers and
lookup tables that make up the basis of your models but do not change.

6. Hyperlinked Cells Can Save You a Lot of Time

When working in a team, or even alone, more often than not, you will waste time searching for a certain
piece of information, by going through all the spreadsheets.

But it does not have to be that way. Instead, you can name your important cells and hyperlink them
within your sheets, which will guide you through the data. Microsoft Excel has great navigation tools for
your data analysis, so make sure to utilize that.

7. Use Formulas and Functions Correctly

Mastering the basics of Excel formulas is critical for all beginners. Microsoft Excel is considered as the
software for data analysis, across most industry standards.

It also happens to be the most preferred software for financial analysts, investment bankers,
presentations, and financial modeling.
A formula in Excel is an expression that will operate on a value in a cell or in a range of cells. A function is
a predefined formula. They eliminate the need to always input formulas while providing human-friendly
names.

8. Shortcuts Can Help You Work Faster

Once you are already used to Excel functions and formulas, you should learn the basic shortcuts. You
might find that by using keyboard shortcuts for Excel, you will be able to work a lot more efficiently.

This especially applies to users with mobility or vision disabilities. Keyboard shortcuts are an easier way
to get the results you want from Excel without tapping on a touchscreen or using a mouse.

By simply pressing Alt in Excel, you will get to see all the shortcuts on top, and if you press Alt + Q, you
will be redirected to the search box. The search box is a nice feature Microsoft added to their programs,
as it allows you to find something easily.
Excel is often superior for data analysis, such as completing complex computations, exploring various
outcomes, and creating high-quality graphics. However, it is a strong instrument that can evaluate data,
save huge amounts of time, and minimize repetition and errors.