Data Visualization and Dashboards with Excel and Cognos
Learn on
BeginnerCourse
Learn how to create data visualizations and dashboards using spreadsheets and analytics tools. This course covers some of the first steps for telling a compelling story with your data using various types of charts and graphs. You'll learn the basics of visualizing data with Excel and IBM Cognos Analytics without having to write any code.
4.7 (4k+ Reviews)
Language
- English
Topic
- Data Visualization
Enrollment Count
- 181.61K
Skills You Will Learn
- Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Visualization
Offered By
- IBMSkillsNetwork
Estimated Effort
- 3 weeks
Platform
- Coursera
Last Update
- April 30, 2025
About this Course
Explain to a potential learner why this course is important/interesting and what they can gain from taking your course.
Course Syllabus
Learn how to create data visualizations and dashboards using spreadsheets and analytics tools. This course covers some of the first steps for telling a compelling story with your data using various types of charts and graphs. You'll learn the basics of visualizing data with Excel and IBM Cognos Analytics without having to write any code.
You'll start by creating simple charts in Excel such as line, pie and bar charts. You will then create more advanced visualizations with Treemaps, Scatter Charts, Histograms, Filled Map Charts, and Sparklines. Next you’ll also work with the Excel PivotChart feature as well as assemble several visualizations in an Excel dashboard.
This course also teaches you how to use business intelligence (BI) tools like Cognos Analytics to create interactive dashboards. By the end of the course you will have an appreciation for the key role that data visualizations play in communicating your data analysis findings, and the ability to effectively create them.
Throughout this course there will be numerous hands-on labs to help you develop practical experience for working with Excel and Cognos. There is also a final project in which you’ll create a set of data visualizations and an interactive dashboard to add to your portfolio, which you can share with peers, professional communities or prospective employers.
This course also teaches you how to use business intelligence (BI) tools like Cognos Analytics to create interactive dashboards. By the end of the course you will have an appreciation for the key role that data visualizations play in communicating your data analysis findings, and the ability to effectively create them.
Throughout this course there will be numerous hands-on labs to help you develop practical experience for working with Excel and Cognos. There is also a final project in which you’ll create a set of data visualizations and an interactive dashboard to add to your portfolio, which you can share with peers, professional communities or prospective employers.
Week 1 – Visualizing Data Using Spreadsheets
- Course Intro
- Optional Lab: Excel Basics
- Reading: Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
- Introduction to Charts
- Interview: Using Visualizations to Tell a Story
- Creating Basic Charts in Excel
- Using the Excel PivotChart Feature
- Lab: Creating Basic Charts
- Practice Quiz: Visualizing Data using Spreadsheets
- Graded Quiz: Visualizing Data using Spreadsheets
Week 2 – Creating Visualizations and Dashboards with Spreadsheets
- Creating Treemaps, Scatter Charts, and Histograms
- Creating Filled Map Charts and Sparklines
- Lab: Creating Advanced Charts
- Practice Quiz: Creating Advanced Charts
- Graded Quiz: Updating Advanced Charts
- Introduction to Dashboarding
- Interview: Using Dashboards to Present Data Results
- Creating a Simple Dashboard using Excel
- Lab: Creating a Simple Dashboard with Excel
- Practice Quiz: Creating Dashboards Using Spreadsheets
- Graded Quiz: Creating Dashboards Using Spreadsheets
Week 3 – Creating Visualizations and Dashboards with Cognos Analytics
- Cognos Analytics: Introduction and How to Sign Up
- Navigating in Cognos Analytics
- Lab: Getting Started with Cognos Analytics
- Practice Quiz: Getting Started with IBM Cognos Analytics
- Creating a Simple Dashboard in Cognos Analytics
- Lab: Different Methods for Creating Dashboard Visualizations with Cognos Analytics
- Advanced Capabilities in Cognos Analytics Dashboards
- Lab: Advanced Dashboard Capabilities in Cognos Analytics
- Practice Quiz: Creating Dashboards with Cognos Analytics
- Graded Quiz: Creating Visualizations and Dashboards with Cognos Analytics
OPTIONAL CONTENT
- Reading: About this optional lesson with Looker Studio
- Reading: Getting Started with Google Looker Studio
- Lab: Getting Started with Google Looker Studio
- Creating Visualizations in Reports using Looker Studio
- Lab: Creating and Configuring Visualizations with Google Looker Studio
- Practice Quiz: Creating and Configuring Visualizations with Google Looker Studio
Week 4 – Final Project - Creating Visualizations and Dashboards
- Reading: Final Project Overview
- Final Assignment – Part 1: Creating Visualizations Using Excel
- Final Assignment – Part 2a: Creating Visualizations Using Cognos Analytics OR
- Final Assignment – Part 2b: Creating Visualizations Using Google Looker Studio
- Final Assignment – Part 3: Peer-graded Assignment – Learner Submission
- Final Assignment – Part 3: Peer-graded Assignment – Peer Review
Language
- English
Topic
- Data Visualization
Enrollment Count
- 181.61K
Skills You Will Learn
- Data Visualization, Plot (Graphics), Data Analysis, Data Analysis Software, Statistical Visualization
Offered By
- IBMSkillsNetwork
Estimated Effort
- 3 weeks
Platform
- Coursera
Last Update
- April 30, 2025
Instructors
Stephen Ryan
Instructional Designer - SkillUp Technologies
I am an ex-Microsoft Certified Trainer and Systems Engineer who now spends his time providing learning content for online learning platforms. My background is in TCP/IP networks and client and server network operating systems.
Read more