Blog Topic

Excel Tutorials

Excel formulas are the first tool every data analyst reaches for — and the one that breaks silently when a reference is wrong. These tutorials cover the formulas that show up in real analyst work: lookups that do not break when columns shift, ranking without ties, conditional formatting that highlights the right rows, and the cleanup steps between raw data and a trustworthy pivot table. Every example uses real cell references you can type into your own sheet.

What you will learn

  • ✓Write VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH and know when each one breaks
  • ✓Rank, subtotal and aggregate without double-counting or silent errors
  • ✓Apply conditional formatting to entire rows using locked column references
  • ✓Clean messy data with TRIM, PROPER and Remove Duplicates before analysis
  • ✓Build pivot tables and slicers that update dashboards interactively

44 articles in this topic

Tutorial

Excel to SQL: Full Translation Map

VLOOKUP to JOIN, PivotTables to GROUP BY, filters to WHERE: every Excel skill mapped one-to-one to SQL, with a live practice path included inside.

1 min readRead
Interview Prep

RANK vs DENSE_RANK: Tie-Traps

Top-3-per-group with ties: ROW_NUMBER vs RANK vs DENSE_RANK explained side by side, plus 5 tie-trap drills with full answer keys for interviews.

2 min readRead
Career Guide

Data Analyst Skills Roadmap (2026): What to Learn First

The modern 2026 data analyst skills roadmap. Learn the optimal order to master SQL, Excel, Python, and Tableau with free courses and real-world projects.

22 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Practice Online: 15 Business Exercises & Solutions

Practice Excel formulas online with 15 real business exercises. Master XLOOKUP, INDEX MATCH, dynamic arrays, pivot tables, and financial modeling.

29 min readRead
Tutorial

Free Excel Practice Sheets & Datasets: 10 Real Workbooks

Download 10 free Excel practice sheets and datasets for data analytics. Practice VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, pivot tables, SUMIFS, and real business dashboards.

30 min readRead
Tutorial

Sort & Filter in Excel Without Mixing Data (Fix Rows Fast)

Prevent misaligned rows when sorting or filtering in Excel. Fix auto-filters stopping at blank rows and learn why Ctrl+T permanently stops data scrambling.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

Basic Excel Formulas: The Top 10 Formulas Every Analyst Needs to Know

Learn essential basic excel formulas: master SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, IF, VLOOKUP, and conditional functions with syntax, examples, and practical fixes.

9 min readRead
Tutorial

CAGR Formula in Excel: Growth Rate with RRI and Power Method

CAGR formula Excel guide: compute annualised growth with =(End/Start)^(1/n)-1 and =RRI(). Investor examples, negative bases, and CAGR vs XIRR explained.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Compare Two Columns in Excel: 5 Methods (with Formulas)

How to compare two columns in Excel: equality checks, IF flags, COUNTIF matching, conditional formatting highlights, and VLOOKUP reconciliation steps.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

Compound Interest Formula in Excel: FV, Growth, and SIP Examples

Compound interest formula Excel guide: grow savings faster with =FV(rate, nper, pmt), the power-operator method, SIP math, and yearly compounding examples.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Delete Blank Rows in Excel: 4 Safe Methods (with Checks)

How to delete blank rows in Excel safely: Go To Special Blanks, AutoFilter blanks, helper COUNTBLANK flags, and backup checks every analyst must run first.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

Conditional Formatting in Excel: Highlight Rows & Rules

Master conditional formatting in Excel to highlight entire rows based on cell values or formulas. Learn =$A2 locks, SEARCH rules, and key analyst fixes.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Data Cleaning in Excel: How to Remove Blank Rows, Spaces & Duplicates

Master data cleaning in Excel: learn how to remove blank rows in excel, strip stray spaces with TRIM, fix casing, and delete duplicates safely.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Formula List: The Top 30 Functions Every Analyst Uses (with Examples)

The complete excel formula list for data analysts: 30 essential functions across Lookups, Math, Logical, Text, and Date categories with syntax and examples.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Formulas: The Complete Guide for Data Analysts (2026)

Master essential excel formulas in this complete guide: lookup, math, dynamic arrays, text, financial modeling, and 30+ core functions for analysts.

15 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Formulas Shortcut Keys: The 15 Must-Know Shortcuts for Analysts

Master excel formulas shortcut keys: AutoSum Alt + =, lock references with F4, audit with Ctrl + `, fill with Ctrl + D, and calculate 10x faster.

9 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Formula vs Function: Key Differences, Formula Bar & Syntax

Understand the difference between an excel formula and a function. Master MS Excel formulas syntax, formula bar auditing, and data cleaning workflows.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Pivot Table in Excel: The Step-by-Step Data Summarization Guide

Master how to create a pivot table in excel: step-by-step tutorial on Rows, Columns, Values, Filters, Calculated Fields, and fast data summarization.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP in Excel: When to Use Each (with TRANSPOSE)

VLOOKUP vs XLOOKUP in Excel: compare the vlookup formula in excel against XLOOKUP, avoid column index bugs, and reshape dynamic array spills.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

FILTER Formula in Excel: Dynamic Filtered Lists (with Examples)

FILTER formula in Excel explained: =FILTER(array, include) builds live filtered lists. Multiple criteria, troubleshooting #CALC!, and analyst examples inside.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Hide Columns in Excel: Shortcuts, Grouping, and Best Use

How to hide columns in Excel: right-click Hide, Ctrl+0, grouping outlines for reports, and what hiding does to formulas, printing, and shared workbooks.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Combine Two Columns in Excel: Ampersand, TEXTJOIN, and Flash Fill

Learn how to combine two columns in excel using the ampersand (&), TEXTJOIN, CONCAT, and Flash Fill. Add spaces, format dates, and preserve data.

9 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Freeze Rows in Excel: Top Row, Multiple Rows, and Panes

Learn how to freeze rows in excel: lock the top row, freeze multiple rows, lock rows and columns simultaneously, and use the Alt + W + F + F shortcut.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Remove Duplicates in Excel: Built-in Tools, UNIQUE, and Fixes

Learn how to remove duplicates in excel using the Data tab tool, UNIQUE formula, and Advanced Filter. Step-by-step methods, edge cases, and analyst fixes.

9 min readRead
Tutorial

INDEX MATCH Function in Excel: Flexible Lookups (with Examples)

INDEX MATCH function in Excel explained: =INDEX(return, MATCH(lookup, range, 0)). Left lookups, two-way matches, and XLOOKUP migration tips for analysts.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Insert Checkbox in Excel: Developer Tab + COUNTIF Uses

How to insert checkbox in Excel: enable Developer tab, link cells to TRUE/FALSE, count checked boxes, and build interactive task trackers step by step.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Merge Two Cells in Excel: Merge vs CONCAT vs TEXTJOIN

How to merge two cells in Excel: Merge & Center, the & operator, CONCAT and TEXTJOIN. Keep values safe, fix sorting issues, and choose the right method.

6 min readRead
Tutorial

Percentage Formula in Excel: Growth, Totals, and Changes (with Examples)

Master the percentage formula in excel: calculate percentage of total, percentage change, markup, and discounts with practical formulas and error fixes.

9 min readRead
Tutorial

PMT Formula in Excel: Calculate Loan EMIs and Payments (Examples)

PMT formula in Excel explained: compute EMIs with =PMT(rate, nper, pv). Loan examples, rate conversions, total-interest math, and analyst mistakes to avoid.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

Python for Data Analysis: The Complete Workflow Playbook (2026)

Master python data analysis with this complete playbook: pandas wrangling, exploratory data analysis, statistical cohorts, and production data pipelines.

15 min readRead
Tutorial

RANK Formula in Excel: Rank Sales, Scores, and KPIs (with Examples)

Rank formula in Excel explained: use RANK, RANK.EQ, and RANK.AVG to rank sales, scores, and KPIs. Syntax, examples, ties, and fixes analysts need daily.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

SEQUENCE Formula in Excel: Auto-Numbering and Date Series (Guide)

SEQUENCE formula in Excel explained: =SEQUENCE(rows, columns, start, step) for IDs, date series, and dynamic grids. Spill fixes and analyst examples included.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

SUBTOTAL Formula in Excel: Subtotals That Respect Filters (Guide)

SUBTOTAL formula in Excel explained: function numbers 1–11 vs 101–111, filtered totals that stay correct, and step-by-step analyst examples with fixes.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

SUM Formula in Excel: AutoSum, Ranges, and 3D Sheet Sums (with Examples)

Master the sum formula in excel: learn syntax, AutoSum shortcut Alt + =, multi-range additions, 3D sheet sums, and troubleshooting silent errors.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

Transpose Excel: How to Switch Rows and Columns (Formula & Shortcut)

Learn how to transpose excel data: switch rows to columns using Paste Special Transpose, the dynamic =TRANSPOSE() formula, and Power Query.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

How to Unhide Columns in Excel: 5 Methods (with Shortcuts)

How to unhide columns in Excel: drag headers, right-click Unhide, Ctrl+Shift+0, Go To Special, and fixes for columns that refuse to reappear. Full guide.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

VLOOKUP Formula in Excel: Syntax, Step-by-Step Guide, and Common Fixes

Master the vlookup formula in excel: understand all 4 arguments, build exact lookups, fix #N/A errors, and compare with XLOOKUP and INDEX MATCH.

8 min readRead
Tutorial

XLOOKUP Formula in Excel: Syntax, Examples, and VLOOKUP Migration

XLOOKUP formula in Excel explained: syntax, exact match, reverse lookup, and if_not_found. Real examples plus VLOOKUP migration tips for analysts daily.

7 min readRead
Tutorial

Relative vs Absolute Cell References in Excel (What $ Does)

Learn the difference between relative and absolute cell references in Excel. Discover what the dollar sign ($) does, when to press F4, and how to stop autofill drift.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Charts for Analysts: Pick the Right Visual and Use Aggregation Intentionally

Choose the right Excel chart for the message. Learn column, line, pie, and combo visuals — and how Excel aggregates values before plotting.

4 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel for Data Analysts: Interface Tour in 6 Minutes

New to Excel for analytics? Tour the ribbon, grid, formula bar, and file basics that prevent silent errors — and find the right tab in seconds.

6 min readRead
Tutorial

EDA in Python: A Checklist That Catches Silent Data Errors

A step-by-step EDA checklist in Python — data loading, missing values, outliers, and feature engineering — with a downloadable Jupyter notebook.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Excel Pivot Table Dashboard with Slicers: 10-Minute Tutorial

Build an interactive Excel pivot table dashboard in 10 minutes. Learn how to summarize data, connect Slicers across multiple PivotTables, and add PivotCharts.

5 min readRead
Tutorial

Pandas Cheatsheet: The 7 Sections Every Analyst Memorises

The Pandas cheatsheet analysts actually use — inspect, select, filter, handle nulls, sort, groupby, and merge with one-liner patterns.

3 min readRead