Changing stubborn opinions with visualizations [case study]
We, analysts take pride in the fact that we tell stories. But what if you have a boss, client or colleague who wouldn’t buy the story?
This is a problem we face often. Let’s say your boss has stubborn opinion about something, like more advertising leads to more sales. You know the data doesn’t support this theory. But how do you change your boss’ mind?
Here is an interesting way, showcased in NY Times recently.
Ask me anything
It is thanksgiving week in USA, which means our friends & readers in America are enjoying a fun long weekend with family & friends.
Happy thanksgiving day to you and your family.
Since most of our readers will be enjoying the holiday, I want to save Excel awesomeness for next week. Meanwhile, lets have our very first Ask me anything [AMA].
Ask me anything.. what is it?
It is very simple. In the comments section, you can ask me anything. I will reply to you.
Anything from Excel to my life, SUMPRODUCT to C23.. you get the drift.
What is your favorite feature of Excel? [poll]
Its Friday, time for another poll.
This weeks topic is inspired from a discussion Jordan started in our forums.
I will go first.
My favorite features are,
Conditional formatting: Quickly highlight something that is not alright (or meets conditions), see trends with data bars or heat maps.
Pivot tables: Turn data in to understandable information with just a few clicks. When combined with slicers & conditional formats, becomes very powerful.
Formulas: Ofcourse, with out formulas, Excel would be a glorified notepad!
What about you? What are your favorite features in Excel? Go ahead and share with us by posting a comment.
Pie of a Pie of a Pie chart [Good or Bad?]
There are some charts that look so stunning and yet confusing. You cant make up your mind whether it tells a compelling story or it is just plain wrong.
Today, let me present you one such chart. I call this Pie of a Pie of a Pie chart.
Excel Formatting Tips – Gangnam Style [open thread]
Ever seen a glaring, over the top, wow-I-am-sooo-cool type of spreadsheet? Lets call them Gangnam spreadsheets!
Gangnam what?!?
If you have never heard about Gangnam style, do not worry. Just like you I too was living under a rock for about a week ago. Then I watched the awesome Gangnam style song. And now I am hooked. You can see it here.
What has all this got to do with Excel?
Oh I am coming to the point. One of the key ingredients of being awesome in Excel is,
To make our Excel workbooks communicate best by avoiding over the top formatting, unnecessary bells & whistles and focusing on what our users want.
But Excel being a feature rich software, it does have various so called Gangnam styles – superfluous 3d effects, formatting options, charting choices and as such.
Today, lets talk Excel formatting – Gangnam style
A Spreadsheet walks in to a bar … [open mic]
Lets have some fun this Friday.
Post your favorite Spreadsheet jokes using comments. Have a big smile.
I will start:
1. A pivot table walks in to a bar and orders a beer. It says, “Put me in the same tab, will ya?”
2. A slicer and pivot chart walk in to a bar. The bartender says, “look at those bast*rds, walking around with out a pivot!”.
3. Once Excel, Access and Windows were bragging to each other. Excel says, “I once crashed so hard, it took 5 minutes to recover”. Access says, “Oh thats nothing. I once crashed and took down an entire data base. It took them 30 minutes to recover”. Windows doesn’t say anything. Excel pokes him in the arm asks “what about you?”, Windows jolts & replies, “Sorry, what did you say, I just crashed again.”
Do you work on Excel? How much salary you make? [Surveys]
Ever wondered how much your Excel skills are worth?
Here is 2 step procedure to find out.
1) Complete this survey. Tell me how much you make & what you do.
2) Wait for a week and we will tell you how much Excel professionals are earning all over the world 🙂
PS: You can be anonymous.