Present Compelling Data Stories with Excel

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Present Compelling Data Stories with Excel

This course is part of multiple programs.

Instructor: Professionals in the Industry

Included with

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

17 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

17 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Learners will be able to transform raw financial data into persuasive Excel narratives, refining clarity and flow through peer feedback.

Skills you'll gain

Category: Presentations
Category: Pivot Tables And Charts
Category: Dashboard Creation
Category: Data Storytelling
Category: Plot (Graphics)
Category: Stakeholder Communications
Category: Data Presentation
Category: Financial Reporting
Category: Storytelling
Category: Business Intelligence
Category: Dashboard
Category: Constructive Feedback
Category: Data Visualization
Category: Peer Review

Tools you'll learn

Category: Microsoft Excel

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

5 assignments¹

AI Graded see disclaimer

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is available as part of

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Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 2 modules in this course

In the course Present Compelling Data Stories with Excel, you will learn to transform your data from rows of numbers into a compelling story that drives decisions. In this intermediate course, you'll move beyond basic charts to master the art and science of data storytelling in Excel. Designed for financial analysts and professionals who need to communicate complex information, this course teaches you to apply proven design principles to build persuasive, easy-to-understand visual narratives.

You will learn to select the right chart for your message, use visual cues such as color and annotations to highlight critical insights, and build dynamic, Excel-linked dashboards that update automatically. Through hands-on activity and real-world scenarios inspired by the visual strategies of companies like Apple and Amazon, you'll construct a layered waterfall chart to walk executives through a quarterly business review. Crucially, you'll also master the soft skill of refining your narrative by gathering, analyzing, and incorporating peer feedback, ensuring your final presentation is clear, logical, and impactful. By the end of this course, you'll be equipped to turn any dataset into a persuasive story that commands attention and inspires action.

This module lays the foundation for effective data storytelling by focusing on the “how-to” of creating impactful visuals in Excel. Learners will move beyond basic charts to understand the principles of visual rhetoric, learning to select the right chart type to convey a specific message. They will get hands-on experience building dynamic, presentation-ready charts that use color, annotations, and structure to tell a clear financial story, inspired by best-in-class examples from companies like Apple and Tesla.

What's included

2 videos2 readings2 assignments

2 videosTotal 19 minutes

From Apple to Tesla: Data Visualization in Action9 minutes
Build a Dynamic Waterfall Chart in Excel9 minutes

2 readingsTotal 16 minutes

The Storytelling Engine: Turning Data into Business Action8 minutes
A Practical Guide to High-Impact Visuals8 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 30 minutes

Hands-On Learning: Build a Financial Storyboard from Revenue to Net Income20 minutes
Knowledge Check: Chart Selection and Design Principles10 minutes

This module focuses on the critical soft skills required to ensure a data story lands with impact. Learners will discover why even a well-designed chart can fail if its narrative is unclear. Using the Target Canada expansion failure as a cautionary tale of misleading data, they will learn to structure a peer review session, analyze constructive feedback, and use it to refine their presentation’s flow and clarity. The module culminates in a final project where learners revise their story based on AI-driven feedback, proving their ability to iterate and improve.

What's included

2 videos1 reading3 assignments

2 videosTotal 16 minutes

When Data Fails: Lessons from Target Canada's Collapse9 minutes
Lead a Peer Feedback Session7 minutes

1 readingTotal 8 minutes

A Framework for Effective Peer Feedback8 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 62 minutes

Present Your Compelling Data Story30 minutes
Hands-On Learning: Analyzing and Prioritizing Peer Feedback20 minutes
Navigating Conflicting Feedback12 minutes

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Instructor

Professionals in the Industry

276 Courses57,332 learners

Offered by

Coursera

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5.0

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2026

very good learning through this Course, it it very helpful for beginners and also Intermediate level of learners.

Frequently asked questions

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¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.