How I Started Doing Data Analysis with MS Excel

Let me be honest.

I didn’t wake up one day and say “Yeah, today I become a data analyst.”

It started with Excel. Just rows. Columns. Confusion. And a LOT of scrolling.

But somewhere between cleaning messy data and making my first chart, I realized something wild:Excel is basically data analysis in disguise.

If you’re a beginner and Excel feels scary, relax you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. In this article, I’ll walk you through how MS Excel can be used for basic data analysis, using simple language, real-life vibes, and practical examples.

1. Understanding Data in Excel (The Foundation)

Before analysis, there must be data.

In Excel, data usually lives in:

• Rows → individual records (one person, one sale, one day)

• Columns → variables (name, age, salary, date, etc.)

Think of Excel like a table in real life:

• Each row is one story

• Each column is one detail about that story

For example:

• Row 2 = Bongo’s details

• Column C = everyone’s salary

💡 Rule of thumb:

If your data has clear headers and no empty random rows, you’re already winning.

2. Cleaning Data (Because Real Data Is Always Messy)

Nobody talks about this part enough.

Real data is:

• Misspelled

• Has extra spaces

• Mixed uppercase and lowercase

• Sometimes straight-up wrong

Before analysis, we clean.

Common cleaning tasks in Excel:

• Removing extra spaces using TRIM()

• Making text consistent using UPPER(), LOWER(), or PROPER()

• Removing duplicates

• Fixing date and number formats

Example:

" bongo lala " → "Bongo Lala"

Story moment: The first time I cleaned data, I thought I was doing something wrong because the numbers suddenly made sense. Turns out… that’s the point.

3. Sorting and Filtering (Finding Meaning Fast)

Imagine having 500 rows of data and trying to “just look” for answers.

Yeah… no.

That’s where Sort and Filter save your life.

Sorting helps you:

• Arrange salaries from highest to lowest

• Order dates from oldest to newest

• Rank scores

Filtering helps you:

• See only Sales department

• View employees above age 30

• Focus on specific categories

💡 Beginner win: If you can filter data, you can already answer real business questions.

4. Using Simple Formulas (Excel Starts Thinking for You)

This is where Excel stops being a table and starts being smart.

Basic formulas used in data analysis:

• SUM() → total values

• AVERAGE() → mean

• COUNT() → number of entries

• MAX() / MIN() → highest & lowest values

Example questions Excel can answer:

• What is the total salary paid?

• What is the average age?

• Who earns the most?

5. Conditional Formatting (Let Excel Highlight the Story)

Data doesn’t always speak.

So we highlight it.

Conditional Formatting lets you:

• Highlight high or low values

• Color-code performance

• Spot patterns instantly

Example:

• Salaries above 100,000 → green

• Low scores → red

• Why this matters*: Your eyes understand colors faster than numbers.

6. Pivot Tables (Summary Without Stress)

Pivot Tables sound scary.

They’re not.

Think of a Pivot Table as:

A summary button for large data

With Pivot Tables, you can:

• Count employees per department

• Sum sales per month

• Compare categories easily

And the best part? No formulas needed.

7. Charts and Visuals (Making Data Human)

Numbers are cool.

But visuals? They hit different.

Excel charts help you:

• Compare values

• See trends over time

• Explain data to other humans

Common beginner charts:

• Column charts

• Bar charts

• Line charts

• Pie charts

Pro tip: If someone understands your chart in 5 seconds, you did it right.

Final Thoughts: Excel Is the Gateway Drug

Most people think data analysis starts with Python, SQL, or Power BI.

But for many of us? It starts with Excel.

Excel teaches you:

• How data is structured

• How to ask questions

• How to find answers

And once that clicks… everything else becomes easier.

So if you’re learning Excel right now — keep going. You’re not just learning a tool.

You’re learning how to think with data.

If this helped you, feel free to share it or drop your Excel learning story. We’re all just one spreadsheet away from greatness.