Winter Excel Conference - Virtual-Data and Statistical Analytics Using Microsoft Excel

Data and Statistical Analytics Using Microsoft Excel

Pdf Summary

This presentation introduces data and statistical analytics in Microsoft Excel for accounting and finance professionals. It explains how accounting, business intelligence, statistics, and analytics differ, and how they collectively support better decision-making, forecasting, and strategic planning. The session emphasizes moving beyond compliance reporting to answer deeper business questions such as growth opportunities, cost reduction, customer targeting, and operational efficiency.<br /><br />A major focus is Excel’s analytical power. The presentation covers data modeling with tables, relationships, Power Pivot, and the Excel Data Model, showing how these tools help manage large datasets and support PivotTables and PivotCharts. It also reviews essential Excel functions for analysis, including summary functions, conditional formulas, financial calculations, and forecasting tools such as TREND, FORECAST, and FORECAST.ETS. Dynamic arrays, LAMBDA, STOCKHISTORY, and Analyze Data are highlighted as modern features that simplify analysis and improve productivity.<br /><br />The presentation also covers forecasting, what-if analysis, Goal Seek, Scenario Manager, Solver, and Monte Carlo simulation to support planning under uncertainty. Advanced statistical work is addressed through the Analysis Toolpak, including correlation, descriptive statistics, sampling, random number generation, and regression analysis.<br /><br />Pivot Tables are presented as a key method for summarizing, grouping, filtering, and visualizing data. Power Query is introduced as an ETL tool for importing, cleaning, transforming, and refreshing data from many sources.<br /><br />Finally, the session explains how to communicate insights through effective Excel visualizations, including charts, heat maps, maps, treemaps, histograms, and scatter plots, along with best practices and common charting pitfalls. Overall, the presentation shows how Excel can serve as a comprehensive platform for data analysis, forecasting, visualization, and business decision support.

Keywords

Microsoft Excel

data analytics

accounting and finance

forecasting

PivotTables

Power Pivot

Power Query

statistical analysis

data visualization

decision support