Excel Data Analysis for Dummies
This book details the basic and non-basic functions of Excel, Microsoft’s
spreadsheet
analytics program. Beginning with the very basics, Stephen L. Nelson shows the user how to enter values onto an excel
spreadsheet or “workbook”. He then moves on to write about the more intermediate functions such as Autosums which can sum up rows and columns as well as PivotTables which serve as cross tabulation tools. Finally he goes through some
statistical functions as well as the most advanced level of Excel computation, the Data Analysis Tool Pak. These advanced level functions include statistical test calculations that can take data directly from on the spreadsheet and produce results. Some examples of this are z-tests( one sample and two sample), t-tests, Chi-squared, and Pearson Coefficient determinants.
Overall, the book is very informative but is too heavily syntax based in my opinion. Many “Dummies” so to speak have not had much experience in syntax based programming. Therefore the extent to which a lot of the book is written is not very useful at all. In addition, the book does not make clear certain key points of Excel that would be very helpful to the user. These key points include drop down menu usage, graphing tips, and other shortcuts.
In the end, Microsoft Excel is a moderately powerful spreadsheet and computational tool that needs a lot of explaining. Excel Data Analysis does a decent job but has two major flaws. First it is too syntax based which beginning computer users and programmers will not understand. Second, it overestimates the capabilities of Excel, believing statistical functions of the basic and higher levels are doable with Excel. In reality, a more powerful software, particularly statistical packages such as SPSS, SAS, and Minitab are required.
Stephen L. Nelson does a decent job explaining everything word by word and any beginning Excel user should probably consult this book to get a grasp on the program. In the long run, however, it is best to continue fiddling with the program to understand it best.