Top 9 Books on Excel and Power BI
Meenakshi ThopseExcel and Power BI eBooks are powerful learning resources for mastering data organization, analysis, and visualization. They help you turn raw data into actionable insights using industry-standard tools, making them essential for both beginners and professionals.
📘 Uses:
- Learn Excel functions, formulas, and data management
- Create dashboards and reports with Power BI
- Analyze trends, build charts, and make data-driven decisions
- Automate tasks and streamline workflows
🎯 Who Can Benefit:
- Students and beginners in data analysis
- Business professionals and analysts
- Finance, HR, and operations teams
- Anyone looking to improve data handling and reporting skills
Real-time collaboration, cloud integration, and a user-friendly interface enhance its accessibility. Versatile and scalable, Excel is essential for financial analysis, project management, and more, supporting multiple data formats and seamless integration with other tools.
Here are some of the books/ebooks applicable to every Excel Learner
1.
2. Microsoft Excel 365 Bible By M. Alexander
"Microsoft Excel 365 Bible" by Michael Alexander is a comprehensive guide for mastering Excel 365. It covers extensive use of formulas and functions for complex calculations and data management. The book provides detailed instructions on importing, cleaning, and analyzing data to maintain accuracy.
It also explores advanced charting techniques, including the use of Sparklines and conditional formatting for effective data visualization. Readers learn strategies for error handling and troubleshooting, ensuring formulas are error-free. Additionally, it focuses on creating and manipulating PivotTables for efficient data analysis, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced users
3. Excel 2019 All-in-One For Dummies By Greg Harvey
"Excel 2019 All-in-One For Dummies" by Greg Harvey is an extensive guide that covers a broad range of Excel functionalities. Key learnings include:
- Basic to Advanced Formulas: Instructions on building, copying, and troubleshooting formulas, including financial and statistical functions.
- Data Management: Techniques for data import, cleaning, and analysis.
- Charts and Graphics: Guidance on creating and customizing charts for data visualization.
- Worksheet Collaboration: Tips on protecting, sharing, and reviewing workbooks.
- Macros and VBA: Introduction to automating tasks and customizing Excel using macros and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
4. Power Pivot and Power Bi
"Power Pivot and Power BI: The Excel User's Guide to DAX, Power Query, Power BI & Power Pivot in Excel 2010-2016" by Avichal Singh and Rob Collie provides comprehensive insights into advanced data modeling and analysis using Power Pivot and Power BI.
Key lessons include:
- DAX Formulas: Understanding and utilizing Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) for complex calculations.
- Calculated Columns vs. Measures: Differences and appropriate usage scenarios.
- Data Integration: Merging disparate datasets for unified reporting.
- Advanced Pivot Table Techniques: Creating time-intelligent calculations and managing filters.
- Efficient Data Processing: Producing sophisticated reports rapidly.
These lessons equip users with the skills to leverage powerful data analysis tools within Excel.
5.
Here’s a summary of key lessons from Microsoft Power BI For Dummies by Jack A. Hyamm:
- Understanding Power BI Basics: The book introduces Power BI's purpose as a data visualization and business intelligence tool that allows users to transform data into visually engaging insights and reports. It covers the Power BI ecosystem, including Power BI Desktop, Power BI Service, and Power BI Mobile.
- Data Import and Transformation: A core feature in Power BI is its ability to connect to various data sources, clean, and transform data using the Power Query Editor. This lesson highlights data shaping and cleaning techniques, making raw data ready for analysis.
- Creating Visualizations: Power BI offers various visualization types, like bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, and maps. The book explains how to choose and customize the right visuals for different types of data and insights, focusing on data storytelling and readability.
- Data Modeling with DAX: The book provides an introduction to Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), a formula language in Power BI for creating custom calculations and measures. This section helps users create complex data models and enhance analysis capabilities.
- Publishing and Sharing Reports: Power BI enables users to share reports and dashboards across organizations securely. The book discusses best practices for publishing reports to the Power BI Service, collaborating with team members, and setting up scheduled data refreshes for updated insights.
These lessons offer a comprehensive foundation for beginners in Power BI, making data analysis and visualization accessible.
6. Excel Dashboards and Reports: (Mr. Spreadsheet's Bookshelf) By John Walkenbach and Micheal Alexander
7.
Microsoft Excel Data Analysis and Business Modeling by Wayne L. Winston is a comprehensive guide that focuses on using Excel for data analysis and business modeling, specifically tailored to Office 2021 and Microsoft 365 versions. Wayne Winston, a well-known Excel expert and professor, has authored multiple books on Excel, known for his practical, hands-on approach to teaching.
Key Highlights
- Data Analysis Techniques: Covers foundational data analysis techniques using Excel, from basic to advanced concepts, including formulas, functions, and data manipulation.
- Business Modeling: Offers real-world examples and case studies, helping readers apply Excel skills to create business models for budgeting, forecasting, sales analysis, and other critical functions.
- Advanced Excel Functions: Explores advanced Excel functions, such as VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX, and MATCH, along with logical and text functions, to streamline data analysis tasks.
- PivotTables and Power Query: Includes detailed sections on using PivotTables, Power Query, and Power Pivot, which are essential for handling large datasets, summarizing information, and creating interactive reports.
- Solver and Optimization Models: Demonstrates how to use Excel’s Solver add-in for optimization, which is valuable for tasks like resource allocation, product mix optimization, and decision analysis.
- Macros and Automation: Covers the basics of automating tasks with macros, helping save time on repetitive tasks and creating more efficient workflows.
- Visualizations: Offers tips on data visualization, such as creating effective charts and graphs, dashboards, and conditional formatting to present data clearly.
This book is ideal for professionals, students, or anyone looking to strengthen their Excel skills, particularly for business analytics, finance, and operations. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, it provides step-by-step examples that help reinforce complex concepts and develop proficiency.
"Slaying Excel Dragons" by Mike Girvin and Bill Jelen offers key lessons for mastering Excel. It covers Excel basics, including navigation, data entry, and formatting. It emphasizes the importance of formulas and functions, such as SUM and VLOOKUP, and teaches efficient data management with sorting, filtering, and PivotTables.
The book addresses error handling, data visualization with charts, and advanced techniques like conditional formatting. It provides productivity tips, workbook management strategies, and practical applications. Lastly, it encourages a positive mindset to make Excel enjoyable, turning frustrations into fun while enhancing data management and analysis skills.
9.
"Excel: Quickstart Guide from Beginner to Expert" by William Fischer provides key lessons for advancing in Excel. It covers the Excel interface, basic navigation, and essential features. Learn basic and intermediate functions like SUM and VLOOKUP, and data management techniques such as sorting and filtering. Utilize data analysis tools like PivotTables, create effective charts, and explore advanced features like macros and VBA.
The guide emphasizes collaboration, sharing, and data security. Efficiency tips, keyboard shortcuts, and real-world applications in budgeting and project management help users progress from beginners to experts, enhancing their data management and analysis skills.
Books on Excel, such as "Lessons from Excel Dashboards and Reports" by John Walkenbach and Michael Alexander, "Excel VBA Programming For Dummies" by John Walkenbach, "Slaying Excel Dragons" by Mike Girvin and Bill Jelen, and "Excel: Quickstart Guide from Beginner to Expert" by William Fischer, offer a wealth of knowledge for users at all skill levels.
They provide essential lessons on mastering Excel’s vast functionalities, from basic data entry and management to advanced programming and automation. By learning from these resources, users can transform Excel from a simple spreadsheet tool into a powerful platform for data analysis, reporting, and efficient task automation, ultimately enhancing productivity and decision-making capabilities.
Check out the benefits of reading books/ebooks on technical skills
Did you find the article useful? Please comment!
Explore books from online store- India
Bookscape is a comprehensive digital library platform offering a diverse range of books and reading resources for users to explore and enjoy.
Explore books from online store- US
Abebook is an online marketplace specializing in rare, used, and out-of-print books, connecting buyers with independent booksellers worldwide.
Find your next favorite story at a fraction of the price with ThriftBooks' massive selection of affordable used books.
Explore books from online store - UK
LoveReading is a UK-based book recommendation website offering curated book lists, reviews, and personalized reading suggestions for book lovers of all ages.
Explore books from online store - Australia
Dive into a world of endless reading with Rakuten Kobo's vast digital library and customizable eReaders, designed for the ultimate reading experience.
Unlock the wisdom of 5,500+ non-fiction books without flipping through hundreds of pages—only with Blinkist
Tired of repetitive writing?
QuillBot's paraphrasing tool can transform your text while preserving the original meaning. Try it now!