Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training

Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training

Advanced Data Modelling, DAX and Interactive Reporting for Large Datasets

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Revised and Updated: 29 September 2026
Date Venue Duration
02 - 04 December 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 3 Days

Course Introduction

The latest analytics tools in Microsoft Excel empower users to efficiently manipulate and analyse large volumes of data, making it possible to uncover insights, create compelling reports, and build interactive dashboards. This practical, hands-on course focuses on Excel’s advanced data tools — PowerPivot, Power Query and 3D Maps — and demonstrates how to extend Excel’s traditional PivotTable functionality with robust data modelling, advanced calculations, and immersive data visualisations. By the end of this Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training course, you’ll be equipped to transform raw data into actionable insights and visually engaging reports.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the capabilities and differences of PowerPivot, Power Query, Power View/Power BI Desktop, and 3D Maps
  • Import, clean, and transform data from multiple sources
  • Build and manage robust data models in Excel
  • Create and use calculated columns, measures, and KPIs with DAX formulas
  • Design interactive reports, dashboards, and visualisations
  • Automate data refresh and transformation with Power Query
  • Effectively communicate data insights using modern visualisation techniques

Prerequisites

  • Participants should have completed Excel Introduction or possess equivalent skills. Familiarity with basic Excel features (e.g. creating worksheets, basic formulas) is required. Prior experience with PivotTables is helpful, but not essential.

Who should attend?

This Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training course is designed for professionals responsible for producing complex Excel reports, conducting data analysis, and building dashboards. Ideal participants include:

  • Business Analysts
  • Data Professionals
  • Financial Analysts
  • Managers
  • Anyone who works with large datasets or seeks to automate and enhance Excel reporting
Soft Skills Courses

Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

Day 1 — Foundations: Tools, Data Preparation and the Data Model
Lesson 1: Introduction to Excel's Advanced Analytics Tools
  • Overview: PowerPivot, Power Query, Power View/Power BI Desktop, 3D Maps
  • Power BI and the modern analytics ecosystem around Excel
  • Comparing standard Excel features vs. PowerPivot
  • Demonstrations: PivotTable vs. PowerPivot; Power BI Desktop and 3D Maps samples
Lesson 2: Preparing and Structuring Data
  • Working with Excel lists and tables
  • Adding helper columns with VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP and formulas
  • Cleaning and normalising tables for analysis
Lesson 3: Importing Data into PowerPivot
  • Supported data types and structures
  • Adding Excel and Access tables to PowerPivot
  • Maintaining and updating data sources in the model
Lesson 4: Creating and Managing the Data Model
  • Understanding data models in Excel
  • Defining key fields and relationships
  • Creating and managing relationships between tables
  • Using linked tables and building hierarchies

Day 2 — DAX and PivotTable Analysis
Lesson 5: Advanced Calculations in PowerPivot
  • Types of calculations: calculated columns, measures (calculated fields)
  • Implicit vs. explicit measures
  • DAX best practices: rules, syntax, and use cases
  • Creating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • When to use calculated columns vs. measures
Lesson 6: Introduction to Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)
  • Understanding the purpose and syntax of DAX
  • Building basic and advanced DAX formulas
  • Using DAX for data manipulation and analysis
Lesson 7: Practical DAX Applications
  • Filter functions and context
  • Time intelligence functions (e.g. YTD, MTD, QTD calculations)
  • Combining multiple functions in a single formula
  • Managing multiple data tables with DAX
Lesson 8: Data Analysis with PivotTables and Pivot Charts
  • Creating PivotTables from data models
  • Filtering and segmenting data with slicers
  • Enhancing reports with Pivot Charts
  • Formatting, combining, and managing multiple charts and tables

Day 3 — Interactive Reporting, Power Query and Optional Extras
Lesson 9: Interactive Visualisations with Power View and Power BI Desktop
  • Introduction to Power View concepts for data visualisation
  • Building basic and advanced reports
  • Creating tables, matrices, and multiple chart types (bar, column, pie, line, scatter)
  • Geographic and map-based visualisations
  • Current Issue Discussion: With Power View retired by Microsoft, organisations are moving this kind of interactive reporting to Power BI Desktop — participants will see how the concepts learned here transfer directly
Lesson 10: Designing Interactive Dashboards
  • Linking and filtering visualisations
  • Organising data with tiles
  • Dashboard design and layout for stakeholder audiences
Lesson 11: Data Loading and Transformation with Power Query
  • Importing data from diverse sources (Excel, databases, web, etc.)
  • Data cleansing, shaping, and transformation techniques
  • Merging, grouping, and aggregating data
  • Adding calculated columns within Power Query

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FAQs – Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training

Master Excel PowerPivot and interactive visualisations, learning Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), multi-table relational modelling, dynamic dashboard design, and interactive slicer-driven business reporting.

What is covered in the Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations Training?
The course covers building relational data models in PowerPivot, writing DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) measures, connecting to multiple external databases, constructing dynamic dashboards, and creating interactive visual storytelling reports.
Who should attend the Excel PowerPivot and Interactive Visualisations course?
This training is designed for business analysts, data specialists, financial managers, BI professionals, and reporting officers who need to process millions of data rows and turn complex analytical data into actionable visual insights.
How does PowerPivot handle big data compared to standard Excel?
PowerPivot uses an in-memory VertiPaq analytics engine that easily bypasses the standard 1,048,576 row limit in Excel, allowing users to compress, model, and analyze millions of records efficiently without slowing down performance.
What interactive visualization components are featured in this course?
Participants learn to design interactive visual elements including cross-filtering slicers, timeline selectors, dynamic KPIs, custom conditional formatting cards, advanced combo charts, and drill-down pivot visualizers.
Does the training include hands-on DAX formula writing workshops?
Yes. The course provides practical exercises on writing essential DAX functions—including CALCULATE, RELATED, SUMX, FILTER, and Time Intelligence functions (YTD, QTD, SamePeriodLastYear)—for robust business modeling.
Why are PowerPivot and interactive visualisations vital for corporate reporting?
Combining powerful relational modeling with clean visual presentation transforms raw transactional data into intuitive, real-time executive dashboards that accelerate decision-making and enhance strategic clarity.

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