(Part 2) Top products from r/excel

I've been using Excel since the day it came out. I've always used it casually as a classic spreadsheet tool. I didn't use it much for a few years but recently came back to it for job-related reasons. It has evolved into quite something. The current version (2019/O365) is a numerical wonder. Its data analysis tools/features are fantastic. As others have commented, the query, data modeling, data transformation and visualisation features are eye-popping. It's data science for the masses. I assume this is no accident. Microsoft realises the data revolution that is coming and not everyone wants to (or can) learn R or Python.

It goes without saying that you need to learn the basics before progressing to the more advanced stuff. But the more advanced stuff isn't very hard to learn and, as Nyct0phile pointed out, you can appear to be a data magician using some of the relatively easy to use tools. Youtube is good for the basics and an introduction to analytics.

One other thing. It really is helpful if you actually understand what Excel is doing (and you're not simply invoking commands). This book is a really great introduction to statistics, data analytics and machine learning. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0241398630/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If you learn to use Excel's data analysis tools and read this book you too will be able to say: "It's sometimes better to apply a simple linear regression model for predictive analytics than to over-fit a complex Machine Learning algorithm".

Do you know of any good books (or websites) for learning practical applications and techniques for financial analysis?

I've been looking at this one but the reviews are mixed.

I am already an expert in Excel. I am looking to get a Financial Analyst job, and want to improve my ability to do the analysis.

I'm not familiar with Business.com, however I am using Lynda.com, Pluralsight.com and MOS 2013 Study Guide for Microsoft Excel to study for my exam. The websites offer training for a plethora of subjects, as to not contradict my previous point of overspending on training. There are a lot of YouTube tutorials that can tutor you through from beginner to advanced Excel, however I prefer to learn from accredited and verified instructors who keep their videos short and to the point.

I don't know how to hyperlink so here is the link to the study guide ($13): http://www.amazon.com/2013-Study-Guide-Microsoft-Excel/dp/0735669201

If you want to learn a lot about PowerPivot and (don't mind reading) I'd recommend anything written by Alberto Ferrari and Marco Russo. They write on PowerPivot / SSAS / Power BI for the Microsoft Press. One of their books was recommended by Michael Alexander who's a Microsoft MVP (I think for Access, but he also knows Excel very, very well.) Take a look at a few of the books below:

https://www.amazon.com/Definitive-Guide-DAX-intelligence-Microsoft/dp/073569835X/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Building-Models-PowerPivot-Business/dp/0735676348/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

I only read a bit of their 2013 book, but it's very comprehensive and of high quality.

I also want to discuss a few other things mentioned here in the comments: PowerPivotPro by Rob Collie and SQLBi. Rob Collie is a former Microsoft engineer on Excel, is an expert on it, and still talks to many engineers on the Excel team. And SQL Bi is run by Marco Russo, who I mentioned above.

My go-to book

As a person in investment banking, the best way to learn forecasting/financial analysis was with a book tailored to this industry.

Macabacus.com is also a phenomenal learning source (and their excel plugin is amazing).

The only book for excel I've ever bought(so far) is

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Excel-2007-Bible-John-Walkenbach/dp/0470044039

but this was to learn a lot of the fundemental stuff that you metion already having down.

My biggest suggestion would be to practice, practice and practice some more. That's mostly why I'm on here tbh. If there's something you'd like to understand a bit more about I'd suggest just starting a new thread on here and asking. More than likely you'll have someone come along and explain it to you.

I'm considering these two. Leaning more towards the second one based on reviews and me also needing to understand the PowerPoint parts of VBA.

But if anyone has any experience with either and can vouch for the quality of one or both I'd love to hear it.

VB & VBA in a Nutshell: The Language (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1565923588/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_8PhJwbEJ15WWZ

Mastering VBA for Office 2010 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0470634006/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_qShJwbKDE6RS6

Practical Standards For Visual Basic is a great book for new programmers. Also very cheap on Amazon.

It is good for learning basic syntax along with how to format, comment and error trap code.

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Standards-Microsoft-Visual-General/dp/0735607338

I mean, there's a lot of textbooks out there. Some are even dedicated to Charts and Graphs. But I genuinely feel there's enough Excel tutorials out on the web that buying a textbook may be a bit useless.

This is the one I'm using and it's pretty decent.

This book is really helpful and always handy to keep on your desk.

I started with a 'Dummies' book as a primer followed by ...

http://www.amazon.com/Excel-2003-Power-Programming-CD-ROM/dp/0764540726/ref=cm_lmf_tit_1

This book has always been my favorite. Negligible changes between 2003 and 2010.

To learn SQL, start with this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-Yourself-Minutes-Edition/dp/0672336073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407993921&sr=8-1&keywords=sql+in+10+minutes

Then once you need more ideas with SQL, go to this book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0596009763/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For Python, I would start with this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Python-Programming-Introduction-Computer-Science/dp/1590282418/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407994104&sr=1-1&keywords=python+programming

SQL may come almost naturally to you. For me at least, the basics of SQL came rather easily. With Python, expect to be a little lost, not with the programming concepts but with setting up your computer and getting Python packages installed, etc... Once you get all that done though, you will be golden.

This book.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Information-Dashboard-Design-Effective-Communication/dp/0596100167

this is the 2013 version:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789748614/ref=s9_psimh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=132JG4CTDEEZZ6GB36HZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846