Data Analyst Cheat Sheet

CONTENT:

1.​MySQL - Page 2
2.​Python - Page 6
3.​Excel - Page 9
4.​Tableau - Page 12
5.​Microsoft Power BI - Page 15
6.​IBM Cognos - Page 18
7.​Microsoft Visio - Page 21
8.​Google Looker Studio - Page 24
 MySQL

1. Basics
Connect to a Database
USE database_name;
Explanation: Switches to the specified database for running queries.

Show All Databases

SHOW DATABASES;
Explanation: Lists all databases available in your MySQL instance.

Show All Tables

SHOW TABLES;
Explanation: Lists all tables in the current database.

Describe a Table
DESCRIBE table_name;
Explanation: Shows the structure of the table (columns, data types, keys).

2. Retrieving Data
Select All Columns
SELECT * FROM table_name;
Explanation: Retrieves all rows and columns from the table.

Select Specific Columns

SELECT column1, column2 FROM table_name;
Explanation: Fetches only the specified columns.

Limit Results
SELECT * FROM table_name LIMIT 10;
Explanation: Limits the number of rows returned.

Filter Data (WHERE Clause)

SELECT * FROM table_name WHERE column_name = 'value';
Explanation: Filters rows based on conditions.

Comparison Operators
Operator Description Example

= Equal to WHERE age = 25

<> or != Not equal to WHERE age <> 25

< Less than WHERE age < 30

> Greater than WHERE age > 30

<= Less than or equal to WHERE age <= 30

>= Greater than or equal WHERE age >= 30

to

3. Aggregating Data
Count Rows
SELECT COUNT(*) FROM table_name;
Explanation: Returns the total number of rows.
Sum Values
SELECT SUM(column_name) FROM table_name;
Explanation: Calculates the sum of numeric values.

Average
SELECT AVG(column_name) FROM table_name;
Explanation: Computes the average of a numeric column.

Minimum and Maximum

SELECT MIN(column_name), MAX(column_name) FROM table_name;
Explanation: Finds the smallest and largest values.

4. Sorting and Grouping

Order By
SELECT * FROM table_name ORDER BY column_name ASC;
SELECT * FROM table_name ORDER BY column_name DESC;
Explanation: Sorts rows in ascending or descending order.

Group By
SELECT column_name, COUNT(*)
FROM table_name
GROUP BY column_name;
Explanation: Groups rows sharing a common value and performs aggregate functions.

5. Joins
Inner Join
SELECT a.column1, b.column2
FROM table1 a
INNER JOIN table2 b
ON a.id = b.id;
Explanation: Returns rows with matching values in both tables.

Left Join
SELECT a.column1, b.column2
FROM table1 a
LEFT JOIN table2 b
ON a.id = b.id;
Explanation: Returns all rows from the left table and matched rows from the right table.

Right Join
SELECT a.column1, b.column2
FROM table1 a
RIGHT JOIN table2 b
ON a.id = b.id;
Explanation: Returns all rows from the right table and matched rows from the left table.

Full Outer Join

SELECT a.column1, b.column2
FROM table1 a
FULL OUTER JOIN table2 b
ON a.id = b.id;
Explanation: Combines LEFT JOIN and RIGHT JOIN results.
6. Conditional Logic
Case Statement
SELECT column_name,
CASE
WHEN condition1 THEN 'Value1'
WHEN condition2 THEN 'Value2'
ELSE 'Default'
END AS alias_name
FROM table_name;
Explanation: Adds conditional logic to queries.

7. Advanced Queries
Subqueries
SELECT column_name
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name IN (
SELECT column_name
FROM another_table
WHERE condition
);
Explanation: Nested query that runs within another query.

CTE (Common Table Expressions)

WITH cte_name AS (
SELECT column_name
FROM table_name
WHERE condition
)
SELECT * FROM cte_name;
Explanation: Creates a temporary result set for use in a subsequent query.

8. Data Manipulation
Insert Data
INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2)
VALUES ('value1', 'value2');
Explanation: Adds a new row to the table.

Update Data
UPDATE table_name
SET column_name = 'value'
WHERE condition;
Explanation: Modifies existing rows.

Delete Data
DELETE FROM table_name
WHERE condition;
Explanation: Deletes rows based on a condition.

9. Indexing
Create an Index
CREATE INDEX index_name ON table_name(column_name);
Explanation: Speeds up queries by creating an index on a column.
10. Best Practices
Use Aliases: Simplify table/column references.​
SELECT t1.column_name AS alias_name FROM table_name t1;
 1.​
2.​ Optimize Joins: Ensure indexed columns are used for join conditions.
3.​ Limit Large Queries: Use LIMIT for large datasets to avoid slow queries.
4.​ **Avoid SELECT ***: Only fetch required columns for efficiency.
5.​ Backup Data: Always back up before running DELETE or UPDATE.

11. Visualization Examples

Example: Aggregating Sales Data
Query:
SELECT product_category, SUM(sales) AS total_sales
FROM sales_table
GROUP BY product_category
ORDER BY total_sales DESC;

Visualization:
●​ Bar Chart: x-axis = product_category, y-axis = total_sales.

Example: Sales Trend Over Time

Query:
SELECT DATE(sales_date) AS date, SUM(sales) AS daily_sales
FROM sales_table
GROUP BY date
ORDER BY date;

Visualization:
●​ Line Chart: x-axis = date, y-axis = daily_sales.

12. Troubleshooting Tips

1.​ Syntax Errors: Double-check commas, semicolons, and parentheses.
2.​ Case Sensitivity: MySQL is case-insensitive for keywords but case-sensitive for table/column names depending
on the OS.
3.​ Debugging Joins: Validate join keys for NULLs or mismatches.
 Python

1. Python Basics
Data Types and Operations
Data Types: int, float, str, list, dict, tuple, set, bool​
x = 10 # int
y = 3.14 # float
name = "Ammar" # str
items = [1, 2, 3] # list
data = {'key': 'value'} # dict
●​ List Comprehension:​
squared = [x**2 for x in range(10)]
●​ Dictionary Comprehension:​
squares = {x: x**2 for x in range(10)}

2. File Handling
Read File:​
with open('file.txt', 'r') as f:
content = f.read()

Write File:​
with open('file.txt', 'w') as f:
f.write("Hello World")

3. NumPy
Array Creation
Create Arrays:​
import numpy as np
arr = np.array([1, 2, 3])
zeros = np.zeros((3, 3)) # 3x3 array of zeros
ones = np.ones((2, 2)) # 2x2 array of ones
random = np.random.rand(3, 3) # Random numbers

Array Operations
Element-wise Operations:​
arr1 = np.array([1, 2, 3])
arr2 = np.array([4,

4. Python Basics for Data Analysis

1. Essential Libraries
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import plotly.express as px
●​ NumPy: Numerical operations on arrays.
●​ Pandas: Data manipulation and analysis.
●​ Matplotlib: Basic plotting.
●​ Plotly: Interactive visualizations.

5. NumPy Essentials
1. Array Creation
array = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4])
zeros = np.zeros((3, 3))
ones = np.ones((3, 3))
random_array = np.random.rand(3, 3)
●​ np.array: Create arrays.
●​ np.zeros, np.ones: Initialize arrays with zeros or ones.
●​ np.random.rand: Random array with values in [0, 1].

2. Array Operations
arr = np.array([1, 2, 3, 4])
arr_mean = arr.mean()
arr_sum = arr.sum()
arr_max = arr.max()
●​ .mean(): Calculate mean.
●​ .sum(): Sum of elements.
●​ .max(): Maximum value.

3. Element-wise Operations
arr1 = np.array([1, 2, 3])
arr2 = np.array([4, 5, 6])
result = arr1 + arr2 # Element-wise addition

6. Pandas Essentials
1. Data Creation
data = {'Name': ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie'], 'Age': [25, 30, 35]}
df = pd.DataFrame(data)
●​ pd.DataFrame: Create a DataFrame.

2. Data Inspection
df.head() # First 5 rows
df.tail() # Last 5 rows
df.info() # Summary
df.describe() # Statistical summary

3. Data Selection
df['Name'] # Select column
df[['Name', 'Age']] # Select multiple columns
df.iloc[0] # Select row by index
df.loc[df['Age'] > 25] # Filter rows

4. Data Cleaning
df.dropna() # Remove missing values
df.fillna(0) # Replace NaNs with 0
df.rename(columns={'Age': 'Years'}, inplace=True) # Rename columns

5. Aggregation
df.groupby('Name').mean() # Group and calculate mean
6. Visualization with Pandas
df['Age'].plot(kind='bar')
plt.show()

7. Matplotlib Essentials
1. Basic Plot
x = [1, 2, 3]
y = [4, 5, 6]
plt.plot(x, y)
plt.xlabel('X-axis')
plt.ylabel('Y-axis')
plt.title('Basic Line Plot')
plt.show()

2. Scatter Plot
plt.scatter(x, y, color='red')
plt.show()

3. Histogram
plt.hist([1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4])
plt.show()

8. Plotly Essentials
1. Interactive Line Plot
import plotly.express as px
data = {'x': [1, 2, 3], 'y': [4, 5, 6]}
fig = px.line(data, x='x', y='y', title='Interactive Line Plot')
fig.show()

2. Interactive Bar Chart

fig = px.bar(data, x='x', y='y', title='Interactive Bar Chart')
fig.show()

3. Scatter Plot
fig = px.scatter(data, x='x', y='y', title='Scatter Plot')
fig.show()

9. Additional Tips
1.​ Data Wrangling:
○​ Use df.apply() for custom functions.
○​ Use pd.pivot_table() for multi-dimensional summaries.
2.​ Performance:​
Use .values or .to_numpy() to convert to NumPy arrays for faster computation.
○​ Optimize with .iterrows() sparingly; vectorized operations are better.
3.​ Visualization:
○​ For larger datasets, prefer Plotly over Matplotlib for interactivity.
 Excel

🔍 1. Logical Functions
IFS
●​ Use: Replaces complex nested IFs for cleaner logic.
●​ Syntax: =IFS(condition1, result1, condition2, result2, ..., TRUE, default)​

Example:​
=IFS(A2>90,"Overdue", A2=90,"Due", A2<90,"Not Due")

➕ 2. Math & Statistical Functions

SUMIFS
●​ Use: Sum values with multiple criteria.
●​ Syntax: =SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, ...)​

Example:​
=SUMIFS(D2:D100, A2:A100, "North", B2:B100, "John")

COUNTIFS / AVERAGEIFS / MINIFS / MAXIFS

●​ Same syntax as SUMIFS.
●​ Use:
○​ =COUNTIFS(...) – count matches.
○​ =AVERAGEIFS(...) – average values.
○​ =MINIFS(...) / =MAXIFS(...) – min/max based on conditions.

🔁 3. Lookup Functions
XLOOKUP (Modern) vs. VLOOKUP (Legacy)
●​ XLOOKUP Syntax:​
=XLOOKUP(lookup_value, lookup_array, return_array, [if_not_found], [match_mode], [search_mode])
●​ VLOOKUP Syntax:​
=VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index, FALSE)
●​ Advantages of XLOOKUP:
○​ Looks left or right (VLOOKUP only looks right).
○​ No need for column index numbers.
○​ Built-in error handling.​

Example:​
=XLOOKUP("Gloves", A2:A100, B2:B100, "Not Found")

INDEX + MATCH (Flexible alternative to VLOOKUP)

●​ =INDEX(return_range, MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_range, 0))
●​ Works with rows and columns. Better than VLOOKUP for large datasets.

🧠 4. Error Handling
IFERROR / IFNA
●​ Use: Handle errors gracefully.
●​ IFERROR Syntax: =IFERROR(value, value_if_error)
●​ IFNA Syntax: =IFNA(value, value_if_na)

=IFERROR(VLOOKUP(A2, Table1, 2, FALSE), "Missing")

📅 5. Date Functions
EOMONTH
●​ Use: Get last day of the month from a date.
 ●​ Syntax: =EOMONTH(start_date, months)
●​ Example: =EOMONTH(TODAY(), 1) → Last day of next month​

EDATE
●​ Use: Shift a date forward/backward by months.
●​ Syntax: =EDATE(start_date, months)
●​ Example: =EDATE(A2, -1) → Previous month​

NETWORKDAYS.INTL
●​ Use: Calculate workdays between two dates, including custom weekends.
●​ Syntax: =NETWORKDAYS.INTL(start_date, end_date, [weekend], [holidays])
●​ Weekend Codes: "0000011" means Mon–Fri are workdays.​

Example:​
=NETWORKDAYS.INTL(A2, B2, 1, {"2024-12-25","2024-12-26"})

📑 6. Pivot Tools
GETPIVOTDATA
●​ Use: Dynamically extract values from PivotTables.
●​ Syntax: Excel auto-generates this.​
=GETPIVOTDATA("Total", $A$3, "Region", "USA")
●​ Benefit: Stays accurate even if PivotTable layout changes

🔂 7. Dynamic Arrays (Excel 365/2021+)

FILTER
●​ Use: Filter rows based on criteria.
●​ Syntax: =FILTER(array, include, [if_empty])​

Example:​
=FILTER(A2:C100, C2:C100="Sales", "No records")

UNIQUE
●​ Use: Return unique or distinct values.
●​ Syntax: =UNIQUE(array, [by_col], [exactly_once])​

Example:​
=UNIQUE(A2:A100) // distinct values
=UNIQUE(A2:A100,,TRUE) // only values that appear once

SORT
●​ Use: Sort a dataset.
●​ Syntax: =SORT(array, [sort_index], [sort_order], [by_col])​

Example:​
=SORT(A2:C100, 2, 1) // sort by 2nd column, ascending

SEQUENCE
●​ Use: Generate a series of numbers or dates.
●​ Syntax: =SEQUENCE(rows, [columns], [start], [step])​

Example:​
=SEQUENCE(5,1,1,2) → 1, 3, 5, 7, 9

⚙️ 8. Power Query (Automation & Data Transformation)

What is Power Query?
A tool built into Excel (under Data → Get & Transform Data) to automate data cleaning.
Use Cases:
●​ Combine multiple files or sheets.
●​ Clean data: remove duplicates, blanks, split columns, transform formats.
●​ Reshape tables without formulas.
●​ Apply steps once, then refresh.​

How it Works:
●​ Data → From Table/Range → Power Query Editor opens.
●​ Each step you take is recorded as a transformation.
●​ Press “Close & Load” to save back to Excel.

🆚 Feature Comparisons
Feature VLOOKUP XLOOKUP INDEX + MATCH

Look Left? ❌ ✅ ✅
Easier to Read ✅ ✅ ❌
Flexible ❌ ✅ ✅
Error Handling ❌ ✅ (if_not_found) ✅ (with IFERROR)
1. Navigation & Shortcuts
●​ CTRL + Arrow Keys: Jump to the edge of a range of data.
●​ CTRL + SHIFT + Arrow Keys: Select a range of cells.
●​ CTRL + SPACE: Select an entire column.
●​ SHIFT + SPACE: Select an entire row.
●​ ALT + =: Auto-sum selected cells.
Tip: Use shortcuts to speed up your workflow and navigate large datasets efficiently.

2. Data Cleaning
Remove Duplicates
●​ Path: Data → Remove Duplicates.
●​ Use Case: Identify and remove duplicate rows based on one or more columns.
●​ Example:

Original Data:
Name Age City

John 25 New York

John 25 New York

Alice 30 Toronto
After Removing Duplicates:
Name Age City

John 25 New York

Alice 30 Toronto

TRIM Function
●​ Syntax: =TRIM(A1)
●​ Use Case: Removes unnecessary spaces from text.
 ●​ Example:
○​ Input: " Hello World "
○​ Output: Hello World

Text-to-Columns
●​ Path: Data → Text to Columns.
●​ Use Case: Split text in one column into multiple columns based on a delimiter (e.g., commas, spaces).

3. Formulas and Functions

Statistical Functions
●​ AVERAGE: =AVERAGE(A1:A10) — Calculates the mean of a range.
●​ MEDIAN: =MEDIAN(A1:A10) — Finds the middle value in a range.
●​ MODE: =MODE.SNGL(A1:A10) — Returns the most frequent value.
●​ STDEV: =STDEV.P(A1:A10) — Calculates the standard deviation.

Logical Functions
●​ IF Function:
○​ Syntax: =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false)
○​ Example: =IF(A1>50, "Pass", "Fail").
○​ Input: A1 = 60
○​ Output: Pass.
●​ AND Function:
○​ Syntax: =AND(condition1, condition2, ...)
○​ Example: =AND(A1>50, B1<100).
●​ OR Function:
○​ Syntax: =OR(condition1, condition2, ...)
○​ Example: =OR(A1>50, B1<100).

Lookup Functions
●​ VLOOKUP: Searches for a value in the first column of a range and returns a value in the same row.
○​ Syntax: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup]).
Example:
ID Name Salary

101 John 50000

102 Alice 60000

○​ Formula: =VLOOKUP(101, A2:C3, 2, FALSE) → John.
●​ HLOOKUP: Similar to VLOOKUP but works horizontally.
●​ INDEX & MATCH: More flexible than VLOOKUP.
○​ Syntax:
■​ INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num])
■​ MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type])
○​ Combine: =INDEX(A1:C3, MATCH(101, A1:A3, 0), 2).

4. Data Visualization
Creating Charts
●​ Path: Insert → Select Chart Type (e.g., Line, Bar, Pie).
●​ Tips:
○​ Use bar charts for categorical data.
○​ Use line charts for trends over time.
○​ Use scatter plots for relationships between two variables.

Pivot Tables
●​ Path: Insert → PivotTable.
 ●​ Use Case: Summarize large datasets.
●​ Steps:
1.​ Select your data.
2.​ Drag fields into Rows, Columns, Values, and Filters.
3.​ Use slicers to interactively filter data.

Conditional Formatting
●​ Path: Home → Conditional Formatting.
●​ Examples:
○​ Highlight values >50: Highlight Cell Rules → Greater Than.
○​ Color scales for numeric ranges: Color Scales.

5. Data Analysis Tools

Goal Seek
●​ Path: Data → What-If Analysis → Goal Seek.
●​ Use Case: Find the input value needed to achieve a desired output.

Solver
●​ Path: Data → Solver.
●​ Use Case: Solve optimization problems.
Descriptive Statistics
●​ Path: Data → Data Analysis → Descriptive Statistics.
●​ Use Case: Generate mean, median, variance, etc., for a dataset.

6. Power Query
●​ Path: Data → Get & Transform Data → From Table/Range.
●​ Use Case: Clean and transform data without manual effort.
●​ Example:
○​ Combine multiple files into one dataset.
○​ Remove duplicates or filter rows automatically.

7. Advanced Techniques
Dynamic Named Ranges
●​ Use Case: Create a range that adjusts automatically as data changes.
●​ Steps:
1.​ Define a name (Formulas → Name Manager).
2.​ Use the formula: =OFFSET(Sheet1!$A$1, 0, 0, COUNTA(Sheet1!$A:$A), 1).

Array Formulas
●​ Use Case: Perform calculations across multiple cells.
●​ Example:
○​ {=SUM(A1:A10*B1:B10)} — Calculates the weighted sum.

Data Validation
●​ Path: Data → Data Validation.
●​ Use Case: Restrict user input.
●​ Example: Create a dropdown list.

8. Useful Tips
1.​ Save as Table:
○​ Path: Insert → Table.
○​ Advantage: Automatically updates formulas, charts, and pivot tables.
2.​ Freeze Panes:
○​ Path: View → Freeze Panes.
○​ Locks rows or columns for easier navigation.
 3.​ Use Named Ranges:
○​ Define ranges for readability and easier reference.

9. Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcut Action

CTRL + T Create a table

CTRL + D Fill down

CTRL + R Fill right

CTRL + SHIFT + L Toggle filters

CTRL + 1 Open format cells dialog

CTRL + ALT + V Open Paste Special dialog

ALT + F1 Create a default chart

Tableau

1. Getting Started with Tableau

Key Concepts:
●​ Dimensions and Measures:
○​ Dimensions: Categorical data (e.g., Country, Product Name).
○​ Measures: Quantitative data (e.g., Sales, Profit).
●​ Data Connection:
○​ Connect to Data: Use the Data Pane to connect to CSV, Excel, SQL databases, or online sources.
○​ Joins: Inner, Left, Right, Full Outer joins for blending multiple datasets.

2. Tableau Interface Overview

●​ Data Pane: Drag dimensions and measures here to create visualizations.
●​ Sheet Tabs: Bottom tabs for creating multiple sheets (charts, tables, dashboards).
●​ Marks Card: Customize visualizations (e.g., color, size, text, detail).

3. Creating Basic Visualizations

Common Chart Types and When to Use Them:
1.​ Bar Chart:
○​ Use for comparing categories.
○​ Drag a dimension (e.g., Product) to Columns and a measure (e.g., Sales) to Rows.
○​ Example: Sales by Product.
2.​ Line Chart:
○​ Use for trends over time.
○​ Drag Date to Columns and a Measure (e.g., Profit) to Rows.
○​ Example: Monthly Sales Trend.
3.​ Scatter Plot:
○​ Use for correlation between two measures.
○​ Drag two measures to Columns and Rows, respectively.
○​ Example: Profit vs. Sales.
4.​ Pie Chart:
○​ Use for proportions.
○​ Drag a measure to Angle on the Marks Card and a dimension to Color.
○​ Example: Market Share by Region.
5.​ Heatmap:
 ○​ Use for identifying patterns.
○​ Drag dimensions to Rows and Columns, and a measure to Color.
○​ Example: Profit by Category and Region.
6.​ Map:
○​ Use for geographical data.
○​ Drag a geographic dimension (e.g., State) to the canvas; Tableau automatically maps it.

4. Essential Tableau Calculations

Basic Calculations:
1.​ Calculated Field:
○​ Right-click the data pane → Create Calculated Field.
○​ Syntax: IF [Sales] > 500 THEN "High" ELSE "Low" END
○​ Example: Categorize sales as "High" or "Low".
2.​ Aggregate Functions:
○​ SUM([Sales]): Total Sales.
○​ AVG([Profit]): Average Profit.
○​ COUNT([Order ID]): Count of Orders.
3.​ Date Calculations:
○​ YEAR([Order Date]): Extract year.
○​ DATEDIFF('day', [Start Date], [End Date]): Calculate the difference between two dates.
4.​ Table Calculations:
○​ Right-click a field → Add Table Calculation.
○​ Examples:
■​ Running Total: Accumulate a measure over time.
■​ Percent of Total: Contribution of each value to the total.

5. Filters and Parameters

Filters:
●​ Dimension Filter: Filter categorical data (e.g., show only "USA").
●​ Measure Filter: Filter numerical values (e.g., Sales > $1000).
●​ Context Filter: Set as primary filters to improve performance.

Parameters:
●​ Dynamic values for interactive dashboards.
○​ Create a parameter → Add it to a calculated field.
○​ Example: Parameter to toggle between showing Sales or Profit.

6. Dashboard Tips
●​ Combine Views: Drag multiple sheets into a single dashboard.
●​ Add Interactivity:
○​ Use Actions for filters, highlights, or URL navigation.
○​ Example: Clicking a region filters charts to show region-specific data.
●​ Best Practices:
○​ Keep dashboards clean and minimal.
○​ Use consistent color schemes and fonts.

7. Advanced Features
Level of Detail (LOD) Expressions:
●​ Syntax: { FIXED [Dimension] : SUM([Measure]) }
○​ FIXED: Calculate at a specific granularity.
○​ INCLUDE: Include additional dimensions in aggregation.
○​ EXCLUDE: Ignore dimensions.
●​ Example:
○​ { FIXED [Region] : SUM([Sales]) }: Total Sales by Region.
Blending Data:
●​ Combine data from multiple sources using a common field.
●​ Example: Blend Salesforce data with Excel.

8. Tips for Performance Optimization

1.​ Extracts over Live Connections:
○​ Use data extracts for faster performance.
2.​ Filter Minimization:
○​ Avoid excessive filters and use context filters.
3.​ Reduce Dashboard Complexity:
○​ Use fewer sheets and avoid overloading dashboards.

9. Practical Example: Profit Analysis Dashboard

Visualization Flow:
1.​ Bar Chart: Profit by Category.
2.​ Map: Profit by State.
3.​ Trend Line: Profit Over Time.
4.​ Filters: Add Region and Year as filters.
5.​ KPI Card: Create calculated fields for key metrics like Total Sales and Average Profit Margin.
Steps:
●​ Drag and drop the required dimensions and measures.
●​ Use Filters to allow interactivity.
●​ Publish the dashboard to Tableau Server or Tableau Public.

10. Shortcuts and Key Commands

●​ Ctrl + Z: Undo.
●​ Ctrl + D: Duplicate a sheet.
●​ Alt + Shift + Left/Right: Resize columns/rows.
●​ F7: Show data source page.
●​ Ctrl + M: Toggle Marks card.

11. Resources for Practice

●​ Tableau Public: Explore dashboards created by others.
●​ Sample Datasets: Use Tableau’s built-in Superstore dataset.
 Microsoft Power BI

1. Data Loading and Transformation

1.​ Import Data:
○​ Get Data: Home > Get Data
■​ Used to load data from various sources (Excel, SQL Server, Web, JSON, CSV, etc.).
■​ Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + D
○​ Example:
■​ Loading an Excel file:
1.​ Click Get Data.
2.​ Select Excel Workbook.
3.​ Choose the file and load.
2.​ Transform Data:
○​ Navigate to Transform Data to enter Power Query Editor for cleaning and shaping data.
■​ Remove Columns: Select columns > Right-click > Remove Columns.
■​ Split Columns: Select column > Transform Tab > Split Column.
■​ Replace Values: Select column > Transform > Replace Values.
○​ Example:
■​ Splitting "Full Name" into "First Name" and "Last Name":
1.​ Select the column.
2.​ Choose Split Column > By Delimiter > Space.
3.​ Data Types:
○​ Define the correct data type for each column to avoid errors in analysis.
■​ Shortcut: Select column > Transform > Data Type dropdown.

2. DAX (Data Analysis Expressions)

1.​ Common DAX Functions:
○​ SUM: Adds up values in a column.
■​ Example: Total Sales = SUM(Sales[Amount])
○​ AVERAGE: Calculates the mean.
■​ Example: Average Sales = AVERAGE(Sales[Amount])
○​ IF: Conditional logic.
■​ Example: High Sales = IF(Sales[Amount] > 1000, "Yes", "No")
○​ CALCULATE: Apply filters to calculations.
■​ Example: Sales in 2023 = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), Sales[Year] = 2023)
○​ RELATED: Access columns from related tables.
 ■​ Example: Product Category = RELATED(Products[Category])
○​ DATEADD: Manipulate dates.
■​ Example: Last Year Sales = CALCULATE(SUM(Sales[Amount]), DATEADD(Sales[Date], -1, YEAR))
2.​ Creating Measures vs. Calculated Columns:
○​ Measure:
■​ Dynamic; calculates on the fly.
■​ Example: Total Profit = SUM(Sales[Amount]) - SUM(Cost[Amount])
○​ Calculated Column:
■​ Static; tied to individual rows.
■​ Example: Profit Margin = Sales[Profit] / Sales[Amount]

3. Visualizations
1.​ Types of Visuals:​
Bar Chart: Compare categories.
○​ Line Chart: Track trends over time.
○​ Scatter Plot: Identify relationships between variables.
○​ Pie Chart: Show proportions.
○​ Map: Visualize geographical data.
2.​ Customizing Visuals:
○​ Filters: Add filters directly to visuals.
○​ Formatting:
■​ Adjust axes, labels, and colors.
■​ Example: Use Data Colors to highlight key data points.
○​ Tooltips:
■​ Enhance insights by showing additional information when hovering over data points.
3.​ Visual Hierarchies:
○​ Drag fields to create drill-down capabilities.
○​ Example:
■​ Year > Quarter > Month drill-down in a Line Chart.

4. Relationships
1.​ Model Relationships:
○​ Found in the Model view.
○​ Types:
■​ One-to-Many (most common).
■​ Many-to-Many.
○​ Example:
■​ Link Sales table to Products table via ProductID.
2.​ Edit Relationships:
○​ Double-click the relationship line > Set Cardinality and Cross-filter Direction.

5. Filters and Slicers

1.​ Filters:
○​ Types:
■​ Visual-Level: Filters applied to a specific visual.
■​ Page-Level: Filters applied to the current page.
■​ Report-Level: Filters applied across the entire report.
○​ Example:
■​ Add a filter for "Region" to show only "North America".
2.​ Slicers:
○​ Interactive filters.
○​ Example:
■​ Add a slicer for "Year" to allow users to select a specific year.

6. Performance Optimization
 1.​ Data Reduction:
○​ Remove unnecessary columns and rows.
○​ Use summarized data for analysis.
2.​ Efficient DAX:
○​ Avoid using CALCULATE within calculated columns.
○​ Use measures wherever possible.
3.​ Pre-Aggregated Tables:
○​ Pre-aggregate data before importing to Power BI.

7. Exporting and Sharing

1.​ Export Data:
○​ Right-click on a visual > Export Data to Excel/CSV.
2.​ Publish Reports:
○​ Publish to Power BI Service:
■​ Home > Publish > Select Workspace.
3.​ Embedding Reports:
○​ Embed dashboards in SharePoint, Teams, or custom apps.

8. Advanced Analytics
1.​ Bookmarks:
○​ Capture a view of the report for storytelling.
○​ View Tab > Bookmarks.
2.​ Drillthrough Pages:
○​ Create dedicated pages for detailed insights.
○​ Example:
■​ Drillthrough to view sales by individual customer.
3.​ What-If Parameters:
○​ Add interactive sliders for scenario analysis.

9. Keyboard Shortcuts
1.​ Common Shortcuts:
○​ Open File: Ctrl + O
○​ Save: Ctrl + S
○​ Add Visualization: Drag fields to canvas.
○​ Undo: Ctrl + Z
○​ Redo: Ctrl + Y

10. Common Tips

1.​ Naming Conventions:
○​ Use clear, descriptive names for tables, columns, and measures.
2.​ Version Control:
○​ Maintain a history of changes to reports and datasets.
3.​ Test and Validate:
○​ Cross-check calculations and visuals against raw data.
 IBM Cognos

1. Understanding the Basics

●​ Cognos Overview:
○​ IBM Cognos is a business intelligence tool for data analysis and reporting.
○​ Components include:
■​ Cognos Analytics: For self-service data visualization.
■​ Framework Manager: For data modeling.
■​ Cognos Query Studio: For simple queries and reporting.

2. Navigating the Interface

●​ Dashboard Layout:
○​ Welcome Page: Central hub to access dashboards, reports, and datasets.
○​ Data Module: Used for creating data models.
○​ Reporting Tool: For designing reports with advanced layouts.

3. Data Preparation Commands and Features

●​ Uploading Data:
○​ Drag and drop your dataset (CSV, Excel, or SQL database) into the data module.
○​ Use the "Manage Data" option to verify and clean your data.
●​ Data Cleansing Commands:
○​ Remove Duplicates:
■​ Use the Deduplicate function to ensure unique rows in a column.
○​ Filter Rows:
■​ FILTER(column_name, condition)
■​ Example: FILTER(Sales, Sales > 1000).
●​ Joining Tables:
○​ Use Relationships to create joins between tables.
○​ Types of Joins:
■​ Inner Join: Only matching rows.
■​ Outer Join: Includes unmatched rows.
●​ Data Grouping:
○​ GROUPBY(column_name) to summarize data by a specific column.
○​ Example: Group sales data by region.

4. Report Building
 ●​ Creating a New Report:
○​ Use the "+" button to start a new report.
○​ Select a layout: Tabular, Chart, Crosstab, or Custom.
●​ Common Report Elements:
○​ Text Items: Add headers or explanatory text.
○​ Lists: Tabular view for data.
○​ Crosstabs: Data comparison with rows and columns.
○​ Charts: Visualize trends and comparisons.
●​ Report Filters:
○​ Static Filters: Predefined conditions.
○​ Dynamic Filters: Allow user interaction.
1.​ Example: Filter sales by year using a dropdown.
●​ Conditional Formatting:
○​ Highlight cells based on conditions.
○​ Example: Highlight sales > $10,000 in green:
1.​ Select column.
2.​ Apply "Conditional Style."
3.​ Define rule: Sales > 10,000.
5. Data Visualization Tips
●​ Types of Visualizations:
○​ Line Charts: For trends over time.
○​ Bar Charts: For comparing categories.
○​ Pie Charts: For proportions.
○​ Heatmaps: For density or magnitude.
●​ Customization Options:
○​ Change colors, add data labels, and adjust axes for clarity.
○​ Example: In a bar chart, right-click the axis to rename it for better understanding.

6. Advanced Analytics
●​ Calculations:
○​ Basic Calculations:
■​ SUM(column_name)
■​ AVERAGE(column_name)
■​ Example: TOTAL(Sales) / COUNT(Region) for average sales by region.
○​ Custom Expressions:
■​ CASE WHEN condition THEN value ELSE value END
■​ Example: CASE WHEN Sales > 5000 THEN 'High' ELSE 'Low' END.
●​ Drill-Through Reports:
○​ Create links to detailed reports.
○​ Use "Drill-Through Definitions" to pass context (e.g., Region -> Region Details).
●​ Forecasting:
○​ Enable "Predictive Analytics" to forecast future trends based on historical data.

7. Collaboration and Sharing

●​ Exporting Reports:
○​ Options: PDF, Excel, CSV, or XML.
○​ Use "Export" in the toolbar to save reports for offline use.
●​ Sharing Dashboards:
○​ Use "Share" to generate a link or embed dashboards in websites.
●​ Scheduled Reports:
○​ Automate report delivery with the "Schedules" feature.

8. SQL and Query Editor

●​ Running SQL Queries:
○​ Switch to "Query Mode" for advanced data manipulations.
 ○​ Example:​
SELECT Region, SUM(Sales)
FROM SalesData
WHERE Year = 2024
GROUP BY Region
●​ Parameterization:
○​ Add prompts for user input.
○​ Example:​
SELECT *
FROM Sales
WHERE Region = ?Prompt('Enter Region')?

9. Optimization Tips
●​ Use data caching to speed up queries.
●​ Reduce the number of joins for faster performance.
●​ Aggregate data at the source before importing.

10. Troubleshooting
●​ Common Errors:
○​ Data mismatch: Ensure all columns used in joins have compatible data types.
○​ Report rendering issues: Check dataset size and reduce unnecessary calculations.
●​ Debugging Tools:
○​ Use the Validation feature to check queries and reports.

11. Keyboard Shortcuts

Action Shortcut

Save Report Ctrl + S

Run Report Ctrl + R

Toggle Fullscreen F11

Refresh Data F5

12. Visual Example of a Workflow

Here’s an example visualization of the workflow:
1.​ Data Import: Connect to a database or upload CSV.
2.​ Data Preparation: Clean, filter, and join datasets.
3.​ Report Creation: Use tables, charts, and cross-tabs.
4.​ Analysis: Add calculations, filters, and predictions.
5.​ Sharing: Export or schedule the report.
 Microsoft Visio

1. Key Components of Visio

Shapes and Stencils
●​ Shapes: The basic building blocks of Visio diagrams. They represent entities, processes, or relationships in a data
model.
○​ Drag-and-Drop: Use the left panel to drag shapes into the workspace.
○​ Common Shapes:
■​ Rectangle: Represents processes.
■​ Diamond: Represents decisions in a flowchart.
■​ Ellipse: Represents start or end points.
○​ Shortcut: Use Ctrl + Drag to duplicate shapes.
●​ Stencils: Collections of related shapes (e.g., Flowchart, Data Visualization).
○​ Access via the Shapes Pane on the left.
Templates
●​ Predefined diagram layouts tailored to specific scenarios (e.g., Flowcharts, Org Charts, UML Diagrams).
○​ Open via File > New > Templates.

2. Data Linking and Importing

Link Data to Diagrams
●​ Data Import Options:
○​ Excel, Access, SQL Server, SharePoint, ODBC, or other external sources.
○​ Steps:
1.​ Go to Data > Link Data to Shapes.
2.​ Select the data source.
3.​ Map fields to shape data.
●​ Auto-Link Shapes:
○​ Use the Automatically Link feature to map rows in your dataset to Visio shapes based on matching data
fields.
○​ Navigate to Data > Automatically Link > Match Columns.
Data Visualization Add-In (Excel Integration)
●​ Import data from Excel into Visio to generate flowcharts and diagrams automatically.
○​ Available in Excel under Insert > Add-ins > Data Visualizer.

3. Common Diagrams for Data Analysis

Flowcharts
 ●​ Purpose: Visualize processes.
●​ Key Commands:
○​ Use the Flowchart stencil for shapes.
○​ Add Connectors (Ctrl + 1 for Connector Tool).
○​ Right-click on a shape to add text or data.
Swimlane Diagrams
●​ Purpose: Separate processes into functional areas.
●​ Steps:
1.​ Use the Cross-Functional Flowchart template.
2.​ Add lanes to represent departments or roles.
3.​ Drag shapes into lanes for clarity.
ER Diagrams (Entity Relationship)
●​ Purpose: Model database structures.
●​ Key Features:
○​ Use Database Model Diagram template.
○​ Represent entities, relationships, and cardinality.
○​ Use connectors to define primary key-foreign key relationships.

4. Key Commands and Shortcuts

Basic Navigation
●​ Pan Canvas: Hold Space + Drag.
●​ Zoom: Use Ctrl + Scroll or Ctrl + 1/2/3 for specific zoom levels.
●​ Center Object: Select shape and press Ctrl + Shift + C.
Align and Distribute
●​ Align shapes:
○​ Home > Arrange > Align.
○​ Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl + L.
●​ Distribute shapes evenly:
○​ Home > Arrange > Distribute.
Connector Commands
●​ Dynamic Connectors:
○​ Automatically adjust when shapes are moved.
○​ Add via Ctrl + 1 or Connector Tool.
●​ Straight Connectors:
○​ Select connector and change to straight under Design > Line.
Format Shapes
●​ Fill Color: Ctrl + Shift + F for color dialog.
●​ Line Style: Right-click > Format Shape > Line.
●​ Quick Styles: Select shapes, then use Design > Quick Styles.

5. Advanced Tips
Data Graphics
●​ Overlay dynamic data onto shapes for enhanced visualization.
○​ Steps:
1.​ Import data.
2.​ Go to Data > Display Data Graphics.
3.​ Customize display options (text, icons, or bars).
Layer Management
●​ Organize and control visibility of diagram elements.
○​ Steps:
1.​ Navigate to Home > Layers > Layer Properties.
2.​ Create new layers and assign shapes.
Validation
●​ Ensure diagram accuracy by checking rules.
 ○​ Go to Process > Check Diagram to validate against predefined rules (e.g., for flowcharts or BPMN
diagrams).

6. Visualization Examples
Flowchart Example
[Start] --> [Process A] --> [Decision?]
| |
V V
[Yes] [No]
●​ Use Decision Diamonds to branch flows.

ER Diagram Example
Entity Attributes

Customer ID (PK), Name, Email

Orders OrderID (PK), Date, CustomerID (FK)

●​ Use Primary Keys (PK) and Foreign Keys (FK) to link.

Swimlane Diagram Example

Marketing | [Generate Leads] -------> [Pass to Sales]
Sales | [Qualify] ---> [Close Deal]
Operations | [Deliver Product]

7. Export and Sharing

Export Options
●​ Image/ PDF: Go to File > Save As > Choose Format.
●​ Share Online:
○​ File > Share > OneDrive/Teams.
Integration with Power BI
●​ Import Visio diagrams into Power BI for interactive dashboards.
○​ Install the Visio Visual from Power BI marketplace.
○​ Link diagrams and data for live updates.

8. Troubleshooting Tips
●​ Slow Performance:
○​ Reduce file size by simplifying diagrams.
○​ Turn off shape shadows and 3D effects.
●​ Connector Issues:
○​ Ensure shapes are properly grouped.
○​ Use Ctrl + Shift + O to view connection points.
 Google Looker Studio

1. Data Connections
●​ Connect to Data Sources:​
Looker Studio supports over 800 data connectors.
○​ Popular options: Google Sheets, BigQuery, Google Analytics, MySQL, PostgreSQL.
○​ Use Extract Data Connector to cache frequently used data for faster dashboards.
●​ Tips:
○​ Ensure datasets have proper field naming conventions.
○​ Pre-clean your data to avoid unnecessary calculations.

2. Data Transformation
●​ Calculated Fields:
○​ Create new fields using Looker Studio's formulas.
○​ Example:
■​ SUM(Sales): Total sales.
■​ CASE WHEN (Condition) THEN (Result):​
CASE
WHEN Age > 18 THEN "Adult"
ELSE "Minor"
END
●​ Blending Data:
○​ Combine datasets on common keys (e.g., blending sales and customer demographics using CustomerID).
○​ Ensure the join key is consistent across datasets.

3. Visualization Options
●​ Charts:
○​ Time Series Chart: Trends over time.
○​ Bar/Column Charts: Compare categories.
○​ Pie Charts: Show proportions.
○​ Geo Maps: Visualize data by location.
●​ Pro Tip: Avoid pie charts for more than 5 categories; use bar or stacked bar charts instead.
●​ Interactive Elements:
○​ Use filters and controls (e.g., dropdowns, date range pickers) for dynamic dashboards.
○​ Set default filters for the most common views.
4. Best Practices for Dashboards
●​ Design:
○​ Keep dashboards clean and intuitive.
○​ Group related metrics together (e.g., KPIs at the top, detailed breakdowns below).
○​ Use consistent colors for better readability.
●​ KPIs:
○​ Display key metrics using Scorecards.
○​ Example:
■​ Total Sales: $1,200,000
■​ YOY Growth: 15%
●​ Visualization:
○​ Use color-coded scorecards to indicate performance (e.g., red for negative growth, green for positive).

5. Key Looker Studio Functions

Function Syntax Description

SUM() SUM(Sales) Returns the sum of a field. Useful for

total metrics like revenue or expenses.

AVG() AVG(Profit Margin) Calculates the average of a field.

COUNT() COUNT(CustomerID) Counts the number of records.

CASE CASE WHEN condition THEN Creates conditional logic (similar to IF).
result END

IF() IF(condition, true_value, Simplifies conditional expressions.

false_value)

DATEDIFF() DATEDIFF(Date1, Date2) Returns the difference between two

dates in days.

CONCAT() CONCAT(FirstName, " ", Combines strings into one.

LastName)

REGEXP_MATCH() REGEXP_MATCH(Field, Checks if a field matches a regex

"regex") pattern.

EXTRACT() EXTRACT(YEAR FROM Date) Extracts components from a date

(YEAR, MONTH, DAY).

FORMAT_DATETI FORMAT_DATETIME("%Y-%m- Formats dates into custom formats.

ME() %d", Date)

TRUNC() TRUNC(Number, Digits) Truncates a number to a specific

number of decimal places.

6. Advanced Visualization Techniques

●​ Heat Maps:
○​ Use conditional formatting in tables to highlight values.
○​ Example:
■​ Revenue Growth by Region: Apply gradient colors to show performance.
●​ Custom Calculations in Charts:
○​ Add calculated metrics directly to charts.
○​ Example:
■​ Profit Margin = (Revenue - Cost) / Revenue.
 ●​ Dynamic KPIs:
○​ Use date range controls to dynamically update KPIs.

7. Filters and Segments

●​ Types of Filters:
○​ Dimension Filters: Filter data by category (e.g., filter by product type).
○​ Metric Filters: Filter data by range (e.g., revenue > $10,000).
●​ Segmentation:
○​ Example:
○​ High-Value Customers:​
CASE
WHEN Revenue > 10000 THEN "High Value"
ELSE "Regular"
END

8. Optimization Tips
●​ Performance:
○​ Use aggregated data to reduce computation time.
○​ Avoid overloading dashboards with unnecessary charts.

●​ Caching:
○​ Use the Extract Data Connector to cache static datasets.
○​ Enable Google Analytics sampling if working with large datasets.
●​ Version Control:
○​ Save dashboard snapshots before making major changes.

9. Sharing and Collaboration

●​ Sharing Dashboards:
○​ Control access by role (Viewer, Editor, Owner).
○​ Embed dashboards in websites or share via a link.
●​ PDF Export:
○​ Schedule email delivery of dashboard snapshots.

10. Pro-Tips for Analysts

1.​ Start with the Question: Define what you need to analyze before building.
2.​ Storytelling with Data:
○​ Highlight key insights and actionable trends.
○​ Use annotations on charts for context.
3.​ Iterative Approach: Test and refine dashboards based on stakeholder feedback.
4.​ Use Templates: Leverage pre-built Looker Studio templates for faster setup.

11. Example Dashboard Layout

Section 1: Key Metrics (KPIs)
●​ Scorecards: Total Revenue, Average Order Value, YOY Growth.
Section 2: Trends
●​ Time Series Chart: Monthly Revenue.
Section 3: Breakdown
●​ Bar Chart: Sales by Product Category.
●​ Geo Map: Revenue by Region.
Section 4: Filters
●​ Date Range, Product Category, Region.