This document summarizes a presentation about using Excel for decision making. It discusses collecting and interpreting data, the basics of Excel including versions and navigation, linking data between worksheets and workbooks using 3D references, using logic functions to ask questions of the data and limit results, conditional formatting to visualize key elements in the data, and graphing to visualize select data. The goal is to provide tips and tricks to make data more useful, readable, and able to support decision making.

1. Using Excel for Decision Making
Tips and tricks to make data useful and readable
Presented by: Mark Newton -LBPSB
October 22, 2014
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2. Framework
Introduction
The basics – Speaking a common language
3D references – Linking between worksheets and workbooks
Logic = asking questions
Conditional formatting – visualizing key elements making data results jump out
October 22, 2014
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3. Introduction – Data collection
Everything is data
Decision making needs to be based on real information
Need models to collect data
What
When – For how long?
How?
Need tools to interpret collected data
October 22, 2014
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4. Introduction - Excel
Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet solution
It is exceptionally strong in complex math
Has strong built-in tools to:
Link between different data locations
Allow for logic to limit results
Highlight specific results
 Visualize values
October 22, 2014
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5. The Basics: Versions
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6. The Basics
Versions 2007, 2010, 2013
Ribbon Navigation
Workbook vs. worksheet
Tables vs. Ranges
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7. 2007
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8. 2010
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9. 2013
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10. Ribbon (2010)
October 22, 2014
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11. The Basics: Vocabulary
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12. Workbook
October 22, 2014
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13. Worksheet
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14. Tables
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15. Ranges
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16. 3D References
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17. 3D references
Using Excel involves referencing locations in a work sheet:
Horizontal (alphabetic)
Vertical axis (numeric)
Any cell on a given worksheet has an address letter/number
Ex. C5
October 22, 2014
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18. 3D references
A 3D reference adds another location to the cell reference
Another worksheet
Another workbook
New cell address includes
Location
Vertical axis
Horizontal axis
Example 1 Sheet2!B2
Example 2 '[WorkbookName.xlsx]Worksheet'!$C$2
October 22, 2014
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19. Practicum
October 22, 2014
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20. Logic
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21. LOGIC
Conditional situations
“What if”
Used to ask questions
Limits values used in answers
Can be used with other functions
October 22, 2014
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22. LOGIC
=if(test, true, false)
“and” + “or” layers criteria
=countif(range, criteria)
=sumif(range, test, sum- range)
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23. Practicum
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24. Conditional formatting
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25. Conditional Formatting
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Used to highlight specific items on a table or in a range
Can change colour, fill, and/or border
Require a “question” to activate

26. Practicum
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27. Graphing
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28. Graphing
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Use colour and shapes to visualize select data
Many different forms
Selection based on need and data

29. Practicum
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30. Q & A
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31. Thank you
October 22, 2014
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