Format
This course will be delivered via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to participants the day before the course is due to take place.
Who should attend and what is covered
This course is intended for experienced excel users. It has two main aims:
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Providing a detailed introduction to the new tools in Excel 365: what they do, how they operate and show them working in real world examples. These tools are Dynamic Array Formulas. This is will include (where appropriate) contrasting with how these real world issues would have been handled in 'legacy' (i.e. pre-365) Excel.
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Focusing on particularly useful techniques in a few areas that will be familiar - Charting and Formatting - and one that may or not be well known to you - Macros.
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This course will operate with a mixture of instructor-delivery and practical exercises using a case-study approach. The emphasis will be on delivering practical techniques which can be used in everyday work, rather than on esoteric theory.
Benefits
Participants will benefit from:
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An understanding of the breadth and application of newer tools developed in the past number of years.
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Using more traditional techniques in more modern settings; macros etc.
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Sharpening visualisation skills.
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Understanding and appreciating the use of custom functions (LAMBDA) and how you might utilise these.
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Visibility on and the ability to operate 365 functions combined with each other for greater effectiveness etc.
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Gaining the basis for follow-on courses or study in in-depth areas such as Power Query and Power Pivot.
Functions
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Dynamic arrays and the concept of SPILL.
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Original 365 functions - SEQUENCE, UNIQUE, FILTER, RANDARRAY, SORT and SORTBY.
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New functions added: DROP and TAKE, EXPAND, CHOOSE (Cols and Rows), FIELDVALUE etc.
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Newer text based functions such as TEXTSPLIT, TEXTJOIN etc.
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As well as the 'given' functions, we will also cover the custom function tool introduced in the last year or so - LAMBDA and even newer functions such as VSTACK, IMAGE etc. will be introduced.
Macros
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What is a macro and how can they be utilised to automate work processes? This will include constructing a basic macro and examining the code behind its output.
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Expanding this we prepare a ledger re-organisation macro and finally a routine involving the generation of a dialogue box.
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We will briefly touch on the use of support tools (in this case Power Query) to avoid the need for macros in some cases.
Pivot Tables
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Specific areas of analysis with Pivot Tables will include; Calculated Field and Item, time based operation, multiple report generation and utilising pivot tables to produce dashboards and regular reports which require updating.
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This section will also cover the use of Tables in generating the input for Pivot Tables that need to be updated periodically.
Formatting
This section briefly covers all the different types of formatting; general, custom and conditional and more importantly the principles behind formatting.
Charting
Visualisation is vital in reporting and is a huge area to try and cover in any Excel course. We will focus on some niche areas such as:
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Variance analysis including the use of custom formatting.
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Use of XY Plot to generate dynamic labels etc.
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The use of symbols in charting through use of formatting etc.
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Using custom and given functions to generate dynamic charts and controlling these visually.
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The use of newer chart types offered; Tree, Sunburst, Box and Whisker, Funnel and Waterfall.
All participants should please note the following
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Two monitors. Having two monitors is very strongly recommended for this training. It allows you to view the trainers PC in one monitor and the application that is the subject of the training in the other. On a single screen it can be difficult to arrange the trainers screen and your own application comfortably. If you only have a single screen please inform the trainer - ideally before the test session - and they can help you to get the best from the training session.
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Microsoft Office version. We use Microsoft Office 365 Professional. If you are using an older version please be aware that you might not be able to do some of the exercises that are using the latest features.
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Windows 10/11. We prepare the files and deliver the course using Windows 10/11. If you are using a MacBook or other platform please be aware that there can sometimes be incompatibilities and there are certain features that are not available on the Macintosh edition of Microsoft Office 365 Professional. These issues can be identified and resolved during the test session.
Speaker bio
Professional Training is a group of experienced specialists providing focused training in IT and Management skills. Our trainers use a combination of tailored, flexible approaches and real-life business knowledge to develop and provide techniques and solutions for immediate implementation by our course participants. We have delivered a range of CPD programmes with Chartered Accountants Ireland since 1997. Website: www.professional.ie
Key Webinar Details:
Location: IT Course - Online
Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm
CPD Credit: 8 hours
Make sure that you input your CPA member ID as the attendee when booking, as the CPD credit will not be automatically allocated to your account otherwise
Please note that this course is being run by Chartered Accountants Ireland.