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Do you use Excel for simple lists, but get confused and frustrated when it comes to actually doing something useful with all that data? Stop tearing your hair out: Head First Excel helps you painlessly move from spreadsheet dabbler to savvy user.
Whether you're completely new to Excel or an experienced user looking to make the program work better for you, this book will help you incorporate Excel into every aspect of your workflow, from a scratch pad for data-based brainstorming to exploratory analysis with PivotTables, optimizing outcomes with Goal Seek, and presenting your conclusions with sophisticated data visualizations.
Organize and clearly present information in a spreadsheet
Make calculations across a number of worksheets
Change your point of view with sorting, zooming, and filtering
Manipulate numerical data to extract and use just what you need
Leverage Excel as a grid-based layout program
Write formulas for optimal functionality
Nest formulas for more complex operations
Create sophisticated data visualizations with charts and graphs
Use Goal Seek to optimize possible outcomes based on different assumptions
Create summaries from large data sets for exploratory data analysis with PivotTables
We think your time is too valuable to waste struggling with new concepts. Using the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory to craft a multi-sensory learning experience, Head First Excel uses a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works, rather than a text-heavy approach that will put you to sleep.
List of contents
Advance Praise for Head First Excel
Praise for other Head First books
Author of Head First Excel
How to Use This Book: Intro
Chapter 1: Introduction to Formulas: Excel's real power
Chapter 2: Visual Design: Spreadsheets as art
Chapter 3: References: Point in the right direction
Chapter 4: Change your Point of View: Sort, zoom, and filter
Chapter 5: Data Types: Make Excel value your values
Chapter 6: Dates and Times: Stay on time
Chapter 7: Finding Functions: Mine Excel's features on your own
Chapter 8: Formula Auditing: Visualize your formulas
Chapter 9: Charts: Graph your data
Chapter 10: What if Analysis: Alternate realities
Chapter 11: Text Functions: Letters as data
Chapter 12: Pivot Tables: Hardcore grouping
Chapter 13: Booleans: TRUE and FALSE
Chapter 14: Segmentation: Slice and dice
Leftovers: The Top Ten Things (we didn't cover)
Install Excel's Solver: The Solver
About the author
Michael Milton, the author of Head First Data Analysis, has spent most of his career helping nonprofit organizations improve their fundraising by interpreting and acting on the data they collect from their donors. He has a degree in philosophy from New College of Florida and one in religious ethics from Yale University. He found reading Head First to be a revelation after spending years reading boring books filled with terribly important stuff and is grateful to have the opportunity to write an exciting book filled with terribly important stuff. When he's not in the library or the bookstore, you can find him running, taking pictures, and brewing beer.
