Excel as a spreadsheet software is a popular and handy business and personal tool. It is mostly used for data entry and storing mathematical information. One of the core skills to have to be proficient in excel is project management skills. This makes using Excel software programs easier and faster. However, it is not a problem if you do not have this skill.
You can sharpen your project management skills by taking excel training courses. There are various excel training programs in London that you can engage in. Excel training London provides you with the knowledge and valuable skills needed to master the art of linking data using excel.
This training not only provides you with the excel skills but serves as a professional development course. You are able to implement the skills by better organizing and analyzing data in your company using excel. It is important to get this training at reputable training centers that are well vast in the use of Excel software programs.
Excel is not limited to project management functionalities alone. It enables you to transform linked data into useful information. This article discusses in detail what transforming linking data is and how to go about it using Excel.
Transforming Data in Excel
This involves converting data from a particular format to another format. Every business and company needs data analysis and reporting and this can be done with Excel. In order for such analysis to be in proper structure it needs to be transformed.
Data transformation involves changing the format of the data without changing the content. Excel has various tools and functions that make data transformation easy.
The following are instances data transformation may be needed:
- Reporting
- Analyzing statistical data
- Mathematical operations with large data
- Compilation of financial data
- Business analytics
Some of these instances require linking data to another spreadsheet due to large amounts of data. There are various tools that make transforming linked data easy. For example; using excel functions like power query, power pivot, and power view.
Understanding Linked Data in Excel
Linking data is suitable for people working on a spreadsheet and making many changes. There are instances where you want to use the data in a spreadsheet in a different spreadsheet. It can be exhausting copying the data each time there are changes to be made. It is easy to make mistakes and input wrong data in all the spreadsheets when you make changes manually. There are better ways to reduce errors when copying data from different spreadsheets.
Linking data enables you to copy data from one excel worksheet to another worksheet. Changes made in the original data will reflect in all worksheets with the same data. This ensures your data is accurate because you only need to update a single spreadsheet. Changes made to the original data will reflect in all other spreadsheets with the same data.
Ways to Transform Linked Data into Information in Excel
1. Copy the data using an exclamation mark
One of the ways to link data in excel is by using an exclamation mark. All that is needed is to link the source sheet name and the cell name with an exclamation mark. You can do this following this step:
- Create a new sheet on Excel you want to copy data into
- Select a cell you want to input the data
- Insert '=' after the data you want to copy
- Add an exclamation mark after '='
- Add the name of the cell you want to copy from the original sheet
For example, you want to copy data from sheet A to sheet B, with the data you want to copy from the sheet in cell A2. The data you want to copy from cell A2 is “Apple.” Open sheet B and click on a cell you want to copy the data from sheet A into. Then type Apple=!A2 into sheet B in your desired cell.
2. Copy and paste a link
This is almost like the usual way to copy and paste data. Excel offers more options with the copy-and-paste function. There is the option of copying and pasting the link. This is the step to step procedure for using copy and pasting a link in excel:
- Open Sheet A containing the data you want to copy
- Open Sheet B, a blank sheet you want to copy data into from sheet A
- In sheet A, select the data you want to copy and type the command “ctrl + C”
- In sheet B, select a cell and right-click to choose the paste and link option
- To be certain your data are linked, go back to sheet A and change the data from where you copied.
- Go to sheet B and the changes made in sheet A should reflect in sheet B.
3. Use the spreadsheet reference method
This method is also simple and does not require you to have Excel advanced skills. The following are steps in using the spreadsheet reference method in linking data:
- Open Sheet A and B containing the same data
- Open Sheet B, double-click on a cell, and type '='.
- In sheet A, select a cell you want to copy and press enter.
- You would be returned to sheet B where you have the '=' typed and it would have the data you want to copy from sheet A.
- To be certain your data are linked, go back to sheet A and change the data from where you copied.
- Go to sheet B and the changes made in sheet A should reflect in sheet B.
4. Use the filter feature
This method helps you filter data and enables you to keep what you need. The step for this method include the following:
- Open an Excel sheet and select the filter criteria.
- Select the column or cell you want to filter.
- Go to the data option and select the filter
- Click the arrow beside the cell header you want to filter and you will see a drop-down menu.
- Select the rows you want to keep and select apply.
- This will filter the data you do not want to keep and you will see only the data you want to keep.
Benefits of Excel Training in London in Linking Data
Although this article provides resources on linking data in excel, there are better reasons to get training from experts. Getting Excel training in London will give you an in-person experience with instructors. These instructors have real-world experience in using Excel to link data.
You also get to practice the theoretical knowledge gained in class. You are given notes and practice materials to guide you in studying. You get the chance to call your instructors for support even after the course.
Conclusion
The ways you can transform linked data into information as stated above may be helpful. However, more functions can be explored in Excel for this purpose. You can be an expert using Excel to link data and perform other functions such as data visualization.
You can do this by frequent use and practice with data visualization tools and taking excel training. This not only provides you with management skills but gives you professional development. You can effectively utilize Excel tools to link data in your business.
