SLW #008: Stacking formula technique (Case: Get quarter from date)
Quick update on Excel Analytics OS: With a rushed catch-up, all 120 lessons were released on 20th July! For the upcoming months, I will be developing the Excel Analytics Muscles Builder, a power-up supplement for Excel Analytics OS! Additionally, to enhance your learning experience, I have attached all practice files to their corresponding videos today!
This week's study case is "Get Quarter from Date." However, merely learning this case won't benefit you too much. What you should take away from this case is the "Stacking formula" technique.
For many people, stacking formulas is an "art", they structure the formulas based on intuitive experience.
"How do you stack formulas?" you ask the people.
"I don't know how to teach you," they would reply.
They know how to do it, but they don't know how to teach.
Stacking formulas? It's always blurry.
Do you know? No single stacking "Formula" can fit into millions of real-world scenarios.
As I write this paragraph, I am trying to find the answer from Google.
The prompted results include "Stack data technique," "What is a nested formula," "Usage of nested formula," etc.
The top 20 results didn't answer my question, so I assume there is no answer available.
However, you're in luck. I have developed an approach based on my decades of experience.
It's simple and effective.
Before applying this approach, the following skills are prerequisites:
- You should know the basic usage of individual functions; otherwise, you will never know if the solution exists. Takeaway: Learn the USEFUL and CORE functions; you don't need to be familiar with all of them.
- You should be familiar with basic operations in Excel, such as sorting, filtering, and other operations.
If you don't know which functions you should learn, I have distilled a syllabus in the course, see the full curriculum here.
Now, try to apply:
"3S" approach for effective formula stacking.
Step 1: Sample - Draft your desired outcome
Step 2: Sequence - Follow your manual sequence to complete the task
Step 3: Stack
Easy to remember, simple logic, powerful outcome.
I have disassembled many blurry concepts into manageable steps in the Excel Analytics OS course, and "Stacking formula" is one of them.
No worries if you do not understand.
I will share more to build up your foundation of business Analytics in Excel.
If you are not my student yet, stay tuned for the upcoming emails.
Thanks for your time.
See you next week.
***Case: Get Quarter from Date.***
Download practice file now and go to tutorial .
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