Advanced Excel Techniques (2)
Batch # 02 | Class # 06 | April 12, 2025
Supported by Implementing Partners
What we’ll learn today
● Master advanced excel techniques and formulas such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP,
INDEX, MATCH, etc.
● Take another look on Pivot Tables.
● Discussion on how ChatGPT can assist in learning MS Excel/Google Sheets
● Discussion on how these thought-processes can transition into Power BI processes.
● Discuss the assignment.
Excel IFs for Logical Testing (IF, SUMIF, COUNTIF)
What are these?
● IF checks a condition and returns different results based on TRUE or FALSE.
● SUMIF adds values based on a condition (e.g., total sales for a region).
● COUNTIF counts how many times a condition is met (e.g., number of
high-performing employees).
Activity: IF, SUMIF, and COUNTIF Scenarios
Scenario:
1. A list of student marks are given. Based on their performance, they need to be
given remarks “Excellent”, “Good”, and “Fail”. Do this using IF logic.
2. A list of employees with their sales performance; only SUM the amount whose sales
are worth 20,000 or more. Do this using the SUMIF logic.
3. Using the same list as mentioned in #2, count the number of employees whose
sales are worth 20,000 or more.
INDEX and MATCH
How to use INDEX in Excel?
The INDEX function returns the value of a cell at a specific row and column in a given range.
How to use MATCH in Excel?
Normally, MATCH would return the row number for a specified data in the dataset.
Use ‘Data Validation’ and nest INDEX-MATCH for better functionality.
INDEX finds a cell's value in a table using its column and row number · MATCH finds the
position of a cell in a row or column.
Activity: Simple INDEX and MATCH
From a simple dataset like this, we’ll see
how INDEX and MATCH works. However,
business use cases require them to be
nested in most cases, if not all.
More INDEX and MATCH
Used to find values based on multiple/complex criteria.
Example Scenario:
An employee makes BDT 10,000 worth of sales. As per company laws, they are supposed
to make a commission starting from 5% to 12%, but that depends on their role and year
of experience with the company.
Here’s how the dependency would look like:
Job Role
Commission Rate
Y/o Experience
Activity: INDEX and MATCH for Complex Criteria
In a dataset like the one in the right side,
We need to find what these salespersons’
sales commissions are and then calculate
their final pay (= sales amount +
commission)
Use:
=INDEX('Commission Rates'!$B$2:$E$4,
MATCH(INDEX(Roles!$B$2:$B$21,
MATCH('Sales Records'!B2, Roles!$A$2:$A$21,
0)), 'Commission Rates'!$A$2:$A$4, 0),
MATCH('Salesperson Experience Years'!B2,
'Commission Rates'!$B$1:$E$1, 0))
*Quick Break*
Activity: Pivot Table
Using ChatGPT for Learning Excel
✅ Ask for Excel formula explanations in simple terms.
✅ Get step-by-step guidance for complex formulas.
✅ Troubleshoot errors and debugging formulas.
✅ Generate sample datasets for practice.
✅ Discover shortcuts and best practices for efficiency.
Don't ask ChatGPT to do your Excel homework—unless you want to explain to your
instructor why your formulas are suspiciously perfect! 😏
Retrospective: MS Excel
As we come towards the end of a section in our course, MS Excel, I, your instructor,
would like to know the following:
1. What went well?
2. What didn’t go so well?
3. What have I learned?
4. What do you suggest we do better?
Assignment: Analyze Social Media Performance
Social Media Marketing Performance Report for Q4
2024
You are a data analyst working for Fashion Fun BD
(imaginary business), a small Bangladeshi business that
sells handcrafted fashion accessories via Facebook. The
company ran multiple ad campaigns in Q4 2024
(October-December) to boost sales and engagement.
Your job is to analyze the dataset and create a report on
what worked well and what didn’t.
Detailed assignment will be posted on the Facebook
group.
What we learned today
● Excel functions and formulas that accommodate advanced excel techniques,
especially:
○ IF, COUNTIF, SUMIF
○ INDEX, MATCH, Nested INDEX-MATCH
○ Pivot Table
● We are going to reflect on this part of the course using the retrospective form (to
be provided).
● Learned how to befriend ChatGPT.
● Got an assignment that is similar to job assessments.
See you on the next class!
