Data Modeling with Microsoft Excel: Model and analyze data using Power Pivot, DAX, and Cube functions

Save time analyzing volumes of data using a structured method to extract, model, and create insights from your data

Key Features

• Acquire expertise in using Excel’s Data Model and Power Pivot to connect and analyze multiple sources of data
• Create key performance indicators for decision making using DAX and Cube functions
• Apply your knowledge of Data Model to build an interactive dashboard that delivers key insights to your users
• Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Microsoft Excel's BI solutions have evolved, offering users more flexibility and control over analyzing data directly in Excel. Features like PivotTables, Data Model, Power Query, and Power Pivot empower Excel users to efficiently get, transform, model, aggregate, and visualize data.

Data Modeling with Microsoft Excel offers a practical way to demystify the use and application of these tools using real-world examples and simple illustrations.

This book will introduce you to the world of data modeling in Excel, as well as definitions and best practices in data structuring for both normalized and denormalized data. The next set of chapters will take you through the useful features of Data Model and Power Pivot, helping you get to grips with the types of schemas (snowflake and star) and create relationships within multiple tables. You’ll also understand how to create powerful and flexible measures using DAX and Cube functions.

By the end of this book, you’ll be able to apply the acquired knowledge in real-world scenarios and build an interactive dashboard that will help you make important decisions.

What you will learn

• Implement the concept of data modeling within and beyond Excel
• Get, transform, model, aggregate, and visualize data with Power Query
• Understand best practices for data structuring in MS Excel
• Build powerful measures using DAX from the Data Model
• Generate flexible calculations using Cube functions
• Design engaging dashboards for your users

Who this book is for

This book is for Excel users looking for hands-on and effective methods to manage and analyze large volumes of data within Microsoft Excel using Power Pivot. Whether you’re new or already familiar with Excel’s data analytics tools, this book will give you further insights on how you can apply Power Pivot, Data Model, DAX measures, and Cube functions to save time on routine data management tasks. An understanding of Excel’s features like tables, PivotTable, and some basic aggregating functions will be helpful but not necessary to make the most of this book.

Table of Contents

1. Getting Started with Data Modeling – Overview and Importance
2. Data Structuring for Data Models
3. Preparing your Data for the Data Model
4. Data Modeling with Power Pivot
5. Creating DAX Calculations from your Data Model
6. Creating Cube Functions from your Data Model
7. Communicating insights from your Data Model using Dashboards
8. Visualization Elements for your Dashboard
9. Choosing the right Design Themes
10. Publication and Deployment

Bernard Obeng Boateng is a Microsoft Excel MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, with over 10 years work experience in Banking, Insurance and Business Development. He is founder of Finex Skills Hub an approved Training Provider of the Financial Modeling Institute, Canada. Finex Skills Hub runs the Finex Project in Ghana, a pro bono student training outreach program for students in Data Analytics and Financial Modeling. Bernard also provides consultancy services for SMEs (start-ups and existing) in Financial Management, Business Planning and Research. He has an active audience online with about 17,000 followers on his LinkedIn Account. where he shares tips and tricks on Microsoft Excel and other Office Apps.

Michael Olafusi is a nine-time Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) who has been consulting in the data analytics and BI domain since 2014 He holds a bachelor's in Electrical Electronics Engineering, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Financial Engineering. Despite holding dozens of certifications, he believes that true mastery in the data analytics domain comes from real-world experience Data is as ubiquitous as sand, and everyone can build sand castles. The only people companies value are those who can build lasting high-value glass structures and not just fancy just-for-showoff sand castles. Michael is on a mission to help analytics enthusiasts go from low-value fanciful report builders to builders of robust business-supporting valuable reports