Learning Excel with DataCamp: From Fundamentals to Power Tools

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Over the past week, I spent a total of 31 hours completing both the Excel Fundamentals and Data Analysis with Excel Power Tools skill tracks on DataCamp. Having enjoyed Excel during the Google Data Analytics course, I was excited to further develop my skills.


Why I Enjoyed Learning Excel

Excel has always been one of the more intuitive tools for me. Since I already use it to track personal data, picking up new concepts felt easy and exciting. The visual and interactive nature of Excel makes it easier to grasp compared to some other tools.

I also really appreciated the pace of the DataCamp courses. They move quickly enough to stay engaging without feeling repetitive, which kept me motivated.


M Language Difficulties

The final section of the Power Tools course introduced M Language, and it was a steep learning curve. While I appreciated the introduction to more advanced concepts, I found the last exercises particularly challenging—I felt like I was following instructions rather than truly understanding what I was doing.

For now, I’ve decided to pause on M Language and instead focus on SQL, which is higher on my learning priority list. Perhaps when I dive into Power BI, I’ll revisit M Language again.


Case Studies & Showcasing Skills

One highlight of the Fundamentals course was the final case study, where I got to apply what I had learned in a structured project. I wish there had been something similar in the Power Tools course. It would have been great to have a project to demonstrate those advanced skills as well.

This also got me thinking: how can I showcase my Excel skills in a meaningful way? I’m exploring different ways to present my work, and once my portfolio is up and running, I’ll be sure to share it as a whole—rather than dedicating a separate blog post to each case study like I did before. 


Looking Ahead

Reflecting on this learning experience, I’m excited about the progress I've made since completing my first case study. My understanding of data tools has grown, and I’m now also thinking strategically about how to showcase my skills best and build my portfolio.

I’ll be sharing more on that soon, but for now, I’m excited to keep learning and refining my skills. Onward to SQL!

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