5 Chapter Overview and Objectives
Introduction
In this chapter, we will process an Excel file with data about laptops. Laptops are portable computers that help us in college, at work, and in everyday life with all sorts of tasks. Learning about their features can also help us make sound choices when we are buying computers for ourselves or our businesses.
Ready to become a laptop expert? Review the Learning Objectives below, note the Time Commitment, download the data file, and then let’s go!
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the context of your data.
- Recognize data types.
- Plan, create, and edit a PivotTable.
- Sort and filter data.
- Interpret PivotTable and PivotChart outputs.
Time Management
- Set aside roughly 60 minutes for this module and add extra time for additional practice.
- Complete the quizzes and assignments in the module AFTER you have carefully worked through each of the page contents leading up to them.
- The goal is to LEARN how to do all of this with the intent of remembering the process for your upper level classes, internships, and your future jobs. Let’s go!
Data File & File Management Tips
Click to download and save the data file on your computer: File TBA. Do NOT open it directly in the cloud. You will not have access to Excel in full if you try to do this in the cloud app.
The file is from Kaggle, from a researcher vidvath7. He uses this file to practice coding. We will use it to practice using PivotTables.
File management tips:
- Download the file into a folder other than “Downloads”.
- Make a folder for your Excel projects for each class or topic.
- Open the file and save it with your initial at the end before the .xlsx extension, so that you have your original start file and your work separated, just in case you delete or do something you can’t “undo”.
- Add a new sheet for each new PivotTable or keep track of your steps in between filtering or rearranging your data.
- Remember to clear all filters in between steps so you’re not “overfiltering” your data.
Next: Let’s learn about laptops!
