Business Analytics: Methods,
Models, and Decisions
Third Edition
Chapter A1
Basic Excel Skills
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Slide - 1
Basic Excel Skills
• Opening, saving, and printing files
• Using workbooks and worksheets
• Moving around a spreadsheet
• Selecting cells and ranges
• Inserting/deleting rows and columns
• Entering and editing text, data, and formulas
• Formatting data (number, currency, decimal)
• Working with text strings
• Formatting data and text
• Modifying the appearance of a spreadsheet
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Slide - 2
Excel 2016 Ribbons
Windows
Mac
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Slide - 3
Excel Add-Ins
• Analysis Toolpak (Data Analysis), which contains
a variety of tools for statistical computation
• Solver, which is used for optimization
– If they do not appear in the Data tab, see the
instructions in Appendix A1.
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Slide - 4
Activity: Excel Add-ins
• Go to File > Options > Add-ins
• Go to the bottom and select “Excel Ad-ins” in the
manage box at the bottom and click Go
• Check “Analysis Toolpak” and “Solver Add-in”
• Click OK
• Go to the top ribbon and select “Data”
• Check to ensure you can see “Data Analysis”
and “Solver” at the top let corner of the ribbon
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Slide - 5
Excel Formulas
• Common mathematical operators are used.
– addition (+)
– subtraction (−)
– multiplication (*)
– division
(/)
– exponentiation (  )
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Slide - 6
Relative and Absolute References
• Cell references can be relative or absolute. Using a dollar sign before
a row and/or column label creates an absolute reference.
– Relative references: A2, C5, D10
– Absolute references: $A$2, $C5, D$10
• Using a $ sign before a row label (for example, B$4) keeps the
reference fixed to row 4 but allows the column reference to change if
the formula is copied to another cell.
• Using a $ sign before a column label (for example, $B4) keeps the
reference to column B fixed but allows the row reference to change.
• Using a $ sign before both the row and column labels (for
example, $B$4). keeps the reference to cell B4 fixed no matter
where the formula is copied
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Slide - 7
Tips
• To type caret symbol (^) for exponentiation in
excel, Press the "Shift" + "6" keys
simultaneously
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Slide - 8
Activity (Example A1.1): Implementing PriceDemand Models in Excel (page 34)
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
Appendix1_ExampleA1.1Dataset_DemandPrediction
Models
Appendix1_Excel Examples’ Solutions (go to tab
A1.1)
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Slide - 9
Activity (Example A1.1): Implementing PriceDemand Models in Excel (page 34)
Two models for predicting demand as a function of price
Linear
D = a − bP
Formula in cell B8:
= $ B$4 − $ B$5*$ A8
Nonlinear
D = cP − d
Formula in cell E8:
= $ E $4* D8 ^ −$ E $5
Note how the absolute addresses are used so that as these formulas are
copied down, the demand is computed correctly.
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Slide - 10
Tips
• If only relative addressing is used, then copying
a formula to another cell changes the cell
references by the number of rows or columns in
the direction that the formula is copied.
• For example, if we would use a formula in cell
B8, =B4-B5*A8, and copy it to cell C9 (one
column to the right and one row down), all the
cell references are increased by one and the
formula would be changed to =C5-C6*B9
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Slide - 11
Copying Formulas
Formulas in cells can be copied in many ways.
• Use the Copy button in the Home tab, then use the
Paste button
• Use Ctrl - C, then Ctrl - V
• Drag the bottom right corner of a cell (the fill handle)
across a row or column
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Slide - 12
Tip
• To copy a formula from a single cell or range
of cells down a column or across a row, first
select the cell or range, click and hold the mouse
on the small square in the lower right-hand
corner of the cell (the fill handle), and drag the
formula to the “target” cells to which you wish to
copy.
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Slide - 13
Tip
• Using a $ before a row label (for example, B$4) keeps
the reference fixed to row 4 but allows the column
reference to change if the formula is copied to another
cell.
• Similarly, using a $sign before a column label (for
example $B4) keeps the reference to column B fixed but
allows the row reference to change.
• Finally, using a $ sign before both column and row
labels (for example $B$4) keeps the reference to cell B4
fixed no matter where the formula is copied.
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Slide - 14
Activity
• Practice copying formula: write the following
formula in cell B8, =B4-B5*A8,
• Copy it to cell C9 (one column to the right and
one row down),
• Note that all the cell references are increased by
one and the formula would be changed to =C5C6*B9
• Use other formulas and practice copying
formulas
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Slide - 15
Tip
• You should be careful to use relative and
absolute addressing appropriately in your
models, especially when copying formulas.
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Slide - 16
Other Useful Excel Tips
• Split Screen:
➢ To split a worksheet:
❖ Select the cell where you want to split the
worksheet. ...
❖ Click the View tab on the Ribbon, then select the
Split command.
❖ The workbook will be split into different panes. ...
❖ After creating a split, you can click and drag the
vertical and horizontal dividers to change the size
of each section.
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Slide - 17
Other Useful Excel Tips
• Column and Row Widths
➢ If you have a very long formula to display and you
want to break it a formula within a cell, you must:
❖ Go to home and click “wrap text”
❖ Position the cursor at the break point in the
formula bar and press Alt-Enter
• Displaying Formulas in Worksheets
➢ Go to Formulas Tab and choose Show
Formulas
➢ Alternatively, you can press
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Slide - 18
Other Useful Excel Tips
• Displaying Grid Lines and Column Headers for Printing
➢ Go to page layout tab > Sheet Options group >
check the print boxes for gridlines and
headings
• Filling a Range with a Series of Numbers (e.g., 1 to
100)
➢ Fill the first few values in series and highlight them.
Then click and drag the fill handle
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Slide - 19
Activity
• Practice the following:
➢ Split screen
➢ Column and row widths
➢ Displaying formulas in worksheets
➢ Displaying Gridlines and Row and Column
Headers for printing
➢ Filling a range with a series of number (e.g., 1
to 100)
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Slide - 20
Basic Excel Functions Commonly
Used in Analytics
• MIN (range): finds the smallest value in a range
of cells
• MAX (range): finds the largest value in a range of
cells
• SUM (range): finds the sum of values in a range
of cells
• AVERAGE (range): finds the average of the
values in a range of cells
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Slide - 21
Basic Excel Functions Commonly
Used in Analytics (cont.)
• COUNT (range): finds the number of cells in a
range that contain numbers
• COUNTIF (range, criteria): finds the number of
cells within a range that meet a specified
criterion
For how to use COUNTIF function, read the
following article:
https://exceljet.net/excel-functions/excelcountif-function
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Slide - 22
Basic Excel Functions Commonly
Used in Analytics (cont.)
• COUNTIFS (range1, criteria1, range2,
criteria2,…,range_n,criteria_n): finds the number
of cells within multiple ranges that meet a
specified criterion for each range
• CONTA: counts the number of non-blank cells in
a range
• COUNTBLANK: counts the number of blank cells
in a range
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Slide - 23
Basic Excel Functions Commonly
Used in Analytics (cont.)
• IF-type functions are also available in Excel. For
example, SUMIF, AVERAGEIF, SUMIFS, and
AVERAGEIFS can be used to embed IF logic
within mathematical functions.
• SUMIF(range,criterion,[sum range]) sum range is
an optional argument that allows you to add cells
in a different range.
• SUMIFS(sumrange,range1,criterion1,range2,crit
erion2,…,rangeN,criterion)
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Slide - 24
Example of using COUNTIF
• COUNTIF(A10:A20,10) // count cells equal to 10
• COUNTIF(B4,”>1000”) // count sales over 1000
• COUNTIF(C6,”Mary”) // count name = “Mary”
• COUNTIF(D2,”AB”) // count province = “AB”
• Note that COUNTIF is not case sensitive. It
means that “AB” and “ab” are treated the
same way
Reference: (Excel COUNTIF Function, n.d.).
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Slide - 25
Tips on Using COUNTIF
• In general, text values need to be enclosed in
double quotes (""), and numbers do not.
However, when a logical operator is included
with a number, the number and operator must
be enclosed in quotes, as seen in the example
below:
• COUNTIF(B1:B20,”>24”) // count cells greater
than 24
Reference: (Excel COUNTIF Function, n.d.).
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Slide - 26
Activity (Example A1.2): Using Basic Excel
Functions (page 36)
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
Appendix1_ExampleA1.2Dataset_PurchaseOrders
Appendix1_ExampleA1.2Dataset_PurchaseOrders
(with solution)
Practice Example A1.2 using the dataset and
compare your answers with the solution file
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Slide - 27
Functions for Specific Applications
• Excel has a wide variety of other functions for
statistical, financial, and other applications.
• For example, some financial models that we
develop require the calculation of net present
value (NPV).
• Net present value (also called discounted
cash flow) measures the worth of a stream of
cash flows, taking into account the time value of
the money.
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Slide - 28
Functions for Specific Applications
• Net Present Value (or discounted cash flow) measures
the worth of a stream of cash flows, taking into account the
time value of money.
NPV =
• Excel function:
n

t =0
ft
(1 + i )
t
=NPV(rate,value1,value2,...)
– F is the cash flow ($).
– Rate (i) is the discount rate.
–
value1,value2,... are equally-spaced payments
or
income values.
– t is a time period.
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Slide - 29
Functions for Specific Applications
• The discount rate (i) reflects the opportunity
costs of spending funds now versus achieving a
return through another investment, as well as
risks associated with not receiving returns until a
later time.
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Slide - 30
Activity: Using Net Present Value (page 38)
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
Appendix1_ExampleA1.2Dataset_PurchaseOrders
Appendix1_ExampleA1.2Dataset_PurchaseOrders
(with solution)
Practice Example A1.2 using the dataset and
compare your answers with the solution file
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Slide - 31
Insert Functions
• The easiest way to locate a function is to select a cell
and go to the Formula Tab and click on Insert Function
• You may either type in a description in the search field
(e.g., “net present value” or select a category, such as
“financial”, from the drop-down box
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Slide - 33
Date and Time Function
• In many analytics applications, a database
might contain dates, such as when an order is
placed or when an employee was hired.
• Excel can display a date in a variety of formats,
such as 2/14/17 or 14-Feb-17
• You may choose the standard date format
(e.g., 2/14/17) by selecting Date in the Number
formatting box or select custom format by
selecting Custom in the Number box.
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Slide - 34
Date and Time Function
• To determine the number of days between dates, you
can simply subtract them
• DATEIF is another function that can compute the number
of whole years, months, or days between dates (not in
the Insert Function list).
DATEDIF(startdate, enddate, time unit)
Time unit can be “y”, “m”, or “d”.
• For example, DATEDIF(4/26/89, 2/14/17, “y”) will
return 27 years
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Slide - 35
Other Useful Date Functions
• Year(date) // returns year
• Month(date) // returns month
• Day(date) // returns day
• Today() // returns today’s date
• Now() // returns today’s date and time
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Slide - 36
Activity: Using Date and Time Function (page
39)
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
Appendix1_Using Date and Time Functions (with
solution)
Practice DATEDIF, TODAY(), NOW(), YEAR(date),
MONTH(date), and DAY(date) and compare your
answers with the solution file
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Slide - 37
Activity: Example A1.4
Computing Lead Times (page 40)
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_ExampleA1.4Dataset_PurchaseOrders_
Comp Lead Times (with Solution)
Practice using DATEDIF to calculate the lead time,
and compare your answers with the solution file
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Slide - 38
Range Names
• A range name is a descriptive label assigned to a
cell or range of cells.
• Range names can help to facilitate building
models on spreadsheets and understanding the
formulas on which models are based on.
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Slide - 39
Range Names
• There are several ways to create range names in
Excel.
– Name box
– Create from Selection
– Define Name
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Slide - 40
Using Name box to Create Range
Name
• The name box is at the upper left of a spreadsheet
between the ribbon and the column headers (an input
box directly to the left of the formula bar).
• Usually, it displays the address of the "active cell" on the
worksheet
• To name a range, first select a cell or range and enter
the range name in the Name box.
• Range Names can not contain any spaces, so it is
common to use an underscore between words.
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Slide - 41
Activity: Example A1.5
Using the Name Box to Create a Range Name
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_ExampleA1.5_Using The Name box to
Create Range Names (with Solution)
Practice using Name box to create a Range Name,
and compare your answers with the solution file
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Slide - 42
Activity: Example A1.5
Using the Name Box to Create a Range Name
• Define range names for each of the numerical
cells that correspond to the labels on the left. That is,
we will name cell B3 Fixed cost, cell B4 Unit variable
cost, and so on. Click on cell B3; in the Name box,
type the name Fixed_cost (note the underscore;
blanks are not permitted), and then press Enter.
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Slide - 43
Using Create from Selection to Define Range
Name
1. Select the range you want to name, including the row
or column labels.
2. Click Formulas > Create from Selection.
3. In the Create Names from Selection dialog box, select
the checkbox (es) depending on the location of your
row/column header. ...
4. Click OK
Reference: (Create a named range from selected cells in a worksheet, n.d.)
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Slide - 44
Activity: Example A1.6
Using Create from Selection to Define Range
Name
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_ExampleA1.6_Using Create from
Selection to Define Range Name (with Solution)
Practice using Create from Selection to Define Range
Name, and compare your answers with the solution
file
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Slide - 45
Activity: Example A1.6
Using Create from Selection to Define Range
Name
In the Total Cost spreadsheet, we will use the text
labels to the left of the numerical inputs as the range
names.
•
•
•
•
•
First, highlight the range A3:B5.
Then, on the Formula tab, choose Create from
Selection.
The box for the left column will automatically be
checked.
Click OK.
Now if you select any of the numerical cell, you will
see the range name in the Name box.
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Slide - 46
Activity: Example A1.6
Using Create from Selection to Define Range
Name
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Slide - 47
Using Define Name to Create a Range Name
This allows to enter the name but also provides an option to
restrict the name to the current worksheet or allow it to be
used in any worksheet of the workbook.
1. Select the cell(s).
2. On the Formulas tab, in the Define Names group, click
the Define Name button.
3. In the New Name dialog box, specify three things: In the
Name box, type the range name. ...
4. Click OK to save the changes and close the dialog box.
Reference: (Excel named range - how to define and use names in Excel , n.d.)
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Slide - 48
Activity: Example A1.7
Using Define Name to Create a Range Name
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_ExampleA1.7_Using Define Name to
Create Range Names (with Solution)
Practice using Define Name to Create a Range Name,
and compare your answers with the solution file
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Slide - 49
Activity: Example A1.7
Using Define Name to Create a Range Name
• Select cell B3.
• Click Define Name on the Formulas tab. This will bring
up a dialog that allows you to enter a range name. Click
OK.
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Slide - 50
Name Manager
• After name ranges have been defined, we can
display a summary by clicking the Name
Manager.
• This allows you to easily add, edit, or delete
range names.
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Slide - 51
Name Manager
• Displays a summary of range names for editing.
• Note: The Name Manager button in the Formulas tab is only
available in Windows. On a Mac, click Define Name to see a
list of range names.
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Slide - 52
Applying Range Names
• Finally, you can apply range names to the
formula in the spreadsheet.
• This replaces the cell references by the names,
making it easy to understand the formulas.
• To do this, click on the drop-down arrow next to Define
Name and select Apply Names …
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Slide - 53
Applying Range Names
•
•
•
•
•
Define the named range you want used in your worksheet.
Select the cells that contain formulas.
Display the Formulas tab of the ribbon.
Click the down-arrow at the right of the Define Name tool (in the
Defined Names group) and then choose Apply Names. ...
Click OK
cell B7(=B3+B4*B5) now displays the names.
Reference: (Wyatt, 2019).
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Slide - 54
Activity: Applying Range Names
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_Applying Range Names (with Solution)
Practice Applying Range Names , and compare your
answers with the solution file
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Slide - 55
VALUE Function
• It’s not unusual to download data from the Web that
looks numerical but is actually expressed as text;
this is often true of data from U.S. government Web
sites.
• One way to tell is that text is usually left justified, while
numbers are right justified.
• The function VALUE(text) can be used to convert a
text string that represents a number to a number.
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Slide - 56
Value Function Examples
• Value(“July 15, 2021”) // returns 44392
• Value(“$125.50”) // returns 125.5
• Value((“32.5%”) // returns 0.325
Reference: (Excel Value Function, n.d.).
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Slide - 57
Activity: Value Function
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_Value Function (with Solution)
Practice Value Function , and compare your answers
with the solution file
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Slide - 58
Paste Special
• If you cut and paste a cell or a range, Excel will
copy any formulas that are contained within the
cell or range (using appropriate relative or
absolute addressing).
• In some cases, you may only want to paste
the numerical values, not the formulas.
• This can be accomplished using the paste
special.
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Slide - 59
Paste Special
• Copy the range of cells of
interest and click on the cell
where you want to paste the
results. Examples:
– To paste only the values in
cells (not the formulas),
select Values and then click
OK.
– To transpose data in
columns to rows and vice
versa, use Transpose.
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Slide - 60
Example A1.8: Currency Conversion
• Assume that 1 euro = $1.117.
To convert euros into U.S.
dollars, first copy the data to
column C. Select cell C3
corresponding to the
conversion factor. Next,
select the range of data in
column C and open the Paste
Special dialog (Go to Home >
Clipboard > Paste > Paste
Special).
• Select Multiply.
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Slide - 61
Activity: Paste Special
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_ExampleA1.8_Dataset_Sales Data (with
Solution)
Practice Paste Special, and compare your answers
with the solution file
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Slide - 62
Concatenation
• To concatenate means to join. In many applications,
you might wish to take text data that are in different
columns and join them together (for example, first and
last names). The Excel function
CONCATENATE(text1, text 2, . . . , text 30) can be
used to join up to 30 text strings into a single string.
– Suppose that cell A1 contains the last name Smith, and
cell B1 contains the first name John. Then
CONCATENATE(B1," ",A1) will result in the text
string John Smith.
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Slide - 63
Concatenation
• We may also perform concatenation using
Excel formulas and the operator &.
• For example, to concatenate the text in cells B1
and A1, enter formula =B1&A1
• Any text string can be used.
– For example, =“Dr. “&B1&” “&A1
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Slide - 64
Activity: Concatenate
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_Concatenate (with Solution)
Practice Concatenate, and compare your answers
with the solution file
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Slide - 65
Error Values
•
#DIV/0! -A formula is trying to divide by zero.
•
#N/A -“Not available,” meaning that the formula could not return
a result.
•
#NAME?
•
#NUM!
-An invalid name is used in a formula.
-An invalid argument is used in a function, such as a negative
number in SQRT.
•
#REF!
•
#VALUE!
-A formula contains an invalid cell reference.
-Excel cannot compute a function because of an invalid
argument.
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Slide - 66
IFERROR Function
• Sometimes these are not user errors, but quirks in the
data.
• For instance, you might have missing data in a column
that is used in a denominator of a formula and obtain a
#DIV/0! Error.
• You might use the Excel function IFERROR(value,
value_if_error) to display a specific value if an error is
present.
• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_j3b5qzyO8
Reference: (Excel IFERROR Function, n.d.).
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Slide - 67
IFERROR Function (cont.)
• IFERROR(value, value_if_error) displays a
specific value if an error is present.
• For example, if you are computing A1/ B1, then if
B1 is zero or blank, then
= IFERROR(A1/B1, “ ”)
will display a blank cell instead of #DIV/0!;
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Slide - 68
Activity: IFERROR
• Go to D2L under Content > Learning Modules >
Module 1 > Appendix A1: Basic Excel Skills
• Open the following files:
AppendixA1_IFERROR (with Solution)
Practice IFERROR, and compare your answers with
the solution file
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Slide - 69
Split Screen
Split a sheet into panes
• Select below the row where you want the split, or
the column to the right of where you want the
split.
• On the View tab, in the Window group, click Split.
• To remove the split panes, click Split again.
Reference: (View multiple panes, sheets, or workbooks, n.d.).
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Slide - 70
New Feature in Excel 2019 (New Window) to see
two worksheets (Video - OPTIONAL)
• https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+do+s
plit+screen+horizontally+in+excel+2019&rlz=1C1
GCEB_enCA873CA873&oq=how+to+do+split+s
creen+horizontally+in+excel+2019&aqs=chrome.
.69i57.12879j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF8#kpvalbx=_Kaz1YNnlN8Xi-gSCzraQCw17
Copyright © 2020, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Additional References
• Excel COUNTIF Function (n.d.). Retrieved from:
https://exceljet.net/excel-functions/excel-countiffunction
• View multiple panes, sheets, or workbooks (n.d.).
Retrieved from: https://support.microsoft.com/enus/office/view-multiple-panes-sheets-orworkbooks-fcdfb33e-5168-470d-a3d67ef1663599f3
Copyright © 2020, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Additional References
• Create a named range from selected cells in a
worksheet (n.d.). Retrieved from:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/createa-named-range-from-selected-cells-in-aworksheet-fd8905ed-1130-4cca-9bb0ad02b7e594fd
Copyright © 2020, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Additional Resources
• Excel named range - how to define and use
names in Excel (n.d.). Retrieved from:
https://www.ablebits.com/office-addinsblog/2017/07/11/excel-name-named-rangedefine-use/
• Wyatt, A. (2019). Applying Range Names to
Formulas. Retrieved from:
https://excelribbon.tips.net/T008266_Applying_R
ange_Names_to_Formulas.html
Copyright © 2020, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Slide - 74
Additional References
• Excel Value Function (n.d.). Retrieved from:
https://exceljet.net/excel-functions/excel-valuefunction#:~:text=The%20Excel%20VALUE%20fu
nction%20converts,converts%20text%20to%20n
umeric%20values.
• Excel IFERROR Function (n.d.). Retrieved from:
https://exceljet.net/excel-functions/excel-iferrorfunction
Copyright © 2020, 2016, 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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