Excel Project

News Flash: Excel is a valuable business tool.  Actually, this is probably not news to the vast majority of the business world, but the statement is definitely true.  Ever since high school, I have learned to use Excel to perform important tasks, many of which have not been related to business at all.  The Excel Project I recently completed for my ISM 3004 course has renewed my interest and appreciation for the helpful computer program that is Excel.  The Project instructions presented a specific scenario.  In this scenario, I was required to analyze and manipulate an Excel worksheet full of data that the owner of a fitness center had constructed to investigate a workout routine at the center.  The owner's instructions were clear and particular about how to format and manipulate the data for easier interpretation.  Because of the very precise nature of the owner's specifications, the Excel Project required a thorough analysis and format, which helped me learn to use Excel in a detail-oriented manner.

In the Excel Project, I applied a lot of the knowledge I obtained through watching the course lectures on Excel and completing the complementary Excel Scavenger Hunt assignment.  The Project required that I use formulas, functions, worksheet formatting tools, pivot tables, and the Excel Help feature.  A few examples of the formulas and functions I used include multiplication, absolute cell addresses, the =IF() function, and many more.  I also used my knowledge of worksheet formatting to resize and add columns, rename worksheet titles, adjust print page setups, and freeze panes.  To aid my progress in the Excel Project, I often used the Excel Help feature, which I found to be an easy and convenient tool.  Additionally, I enjoyed the convenience of several keyboard shortcuts that I recently learned from watching the course lectures.  In the end, the knowledge I have gained from the Excel Project, lectures, and Scavenger Hunt have greatly enhanced my ability to use Excel for future endeavors both in and outside of the business environment.  Thank you Microsoft and ISM 3004.

(This screen capture depicts the average percent increase pivot table from my Excel Project, and the image was created by me using the Snipping Tool in Window's Vista.)