In the 12th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets get productive fast.

Announcement: Short format podcasts sessions once a month

Based on listener feedback, I am adding short format sessions (20 mins). This short format sessions will run once a month (along with longer sessions that we publish almost every week) so that you have something light & easy to chew between heavy doses of Excel awesomeness.

I hope you like this new format. Do let me know what you think in comments.

And I really appreciate your reviews & comments on iTunes. Please click here and post your review.

If you want to create magical effect with your Excel workbook (or report, dashboard, model), then hear no further. In this episode, we explore 5 very powerful magic tricks you can apply to get jaw dropping reactions from your bosses, clients & colleagues.

In this podcast, you will learn,

Annoucements

Why magic

5 Excel Magic Tricks

1: Conditional formatting

2: Form controls + Charts

3: Pivot tables + Slicers

4: Macros + Automation

5: Using right feature @ right time

How to learn these magic tricks

Conclusions

This is a continuation of Session 9 - Averages are mean

In the earlier episode, we talked about AVERAGE and why it should be avoided. In this session, learn about 8 power analysis techniques that will lift your work above averages.

In this podcast, you will learn,

Re-cap - Why avoid averages

8 Techniques for better analysis

#1: Start with AVERAGE

#2: Moving Averages

#3: Weighted Averages

#4: Visualize the data

...

Conclusions

In the 9th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets raise above AVERAGEs.

AVERAGEs are a very popular and universal way to summarize data. But do you know they are mean? Mean as in, AVERAGEs do not reveal much about your data or business. In episode 9 of Chandoo.org podcast, we tackle this problem and present solutions.

In this podcast, you will learn,

What is AVERAGE?

Pitfalls of averages

5 statistic concepts you must understand

Standard Deviation

Median

Quartiles

Outliers

Distribution of data

What next?

Here is a problem we all face once in a while. We inherit this bulky, bloated, leaking at the edges workbook from a colleague. Now the onus of maintaining it is on us. The person who made this workbook is nowhere to be found. May be she is vacationing in Hawaii sipping pineapple juice. May be he became a vice president and roaming the country in your company's private jet.

So what do we do? How do we handle this inheritance?

That is the topic of our podcast, episode 8.

In this podcast, you will learn,

An overview of the inheritance problem

6 Tips to understand workbooks made by someone else

Tip 0: Talk to the creator

Tip 1: Model the workbook on paper

Tip 2: Locate the engine, ie the formulas

Tip 3: See what else is under the hood - hidden sheets, names, VBA code

Tip 4: Annotate (add comments) as you learn

Tip 5: Locate the controls - inputs, assumptions, scenarios

Tip 6: Re-construct from scratch

Deep dive in to understanding the formulas

Deep dive in to understanding VBA code

Conclusions

In the 7th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets make you aweSUM().

Imagine for a second that Excel cannot add up numbers. And no it cant subtract them either. What would that look like?

A glorified Notepad. That's right. Excel's ability to add up numbers, along with features like formulas, charts, pivot tables & BHATTEXT() are what make it such a lovely software. May be not the BHATTEXT(), but we all agree that Excel is so versatile and useful because it can add up numbers (and perform other calculations) with ease.

But how well do you know the SUM formulas of Excel?

In this podcast, you will learn,

Special personal fruit announcement :P

+ operator

Status bar & total rows in tables

Auto Sum feature

SUM() function

SUMIFS function

Special cases of SUMIFS function

SUBTOTAL & AGGREGATE functions

Other summing functions - SUMPRODUCT etc.

In the 6th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we focus on making you a better analyst and propose a road map for getting better at data analysis & improving your career prospects.

In this podcast you will learn,

Why become a better analyst?

The road map for becoming a better analyst - BETTER framework

B for Business Knowledge

E for Examining user needs

T for Thinking about analysis

T for Tools of Trade ie Excel

E for Expression

R for Refining yourself

Conclusions

In the 5th session of Chandoo.org podcast, we are going to demystify form controls.

I am very happy and excited to interview my good friend, fellow Excel MVP, author, blogger and virtual mentor - Debra Dalgleish about this topic.

In this podcast, you will learn,

What are form controls

When you would use them?

Example form control - Combo box

How form controls differ from active-x controls

How to enable form controls in your Excel?

Various important form controls

Special bonus & how to obtain it

In the 4th session of Chandoo.org podcast, lets talk about Pie charts.

Pie charts evoke strong opinions among analysts & managers. Some people love them and can't have enough of them in reports. Others despise them and go to any lengths to avoid them. And that is why we are going to talk about them in this session.

You will learn,

Special, secret transmission from guest stars

What is a pie chart?

Why they work? 2 reasons

Why they don't work ? 4 reasons

Cousins & siblings of Pie charts

Donut charts

Gauge charts (speedometer)

3D pies

Area charts

Bubble charts

4 Situations when making a pie chart is ok

Alternatives to Pie charts

Mistakes you should avoid

About the resources

Conclusions

In the third session of Chandoo.org podcast, we are going to get BI curious. ;)

Not that kind you silly, We are talking about Business Intelligence, Big Data, Power Pivot & other Power BI family members. In this session, I am happy to feature Mike Alexander - Microsoft MVP, Author, Blogger & a good friend. Mike talks about how Excel is shaping the BI (Business Intelligence) revolution with advent of Power BI functionality.

You will learn,

Introduction, what Mike is up to these days?

What is BI, what does it mean to an average Excel analyst?

What BI capabilities Excel has - brief intro to each of them

Power Pivot & what it does

Power Query & why it is important

Power View & how it works (and where it sucks)

Power Maps

How to learn about these new technologies

Recommended Books

Websites

Courses

Live classes

Special gift for our listeners