Understanding Your Data: The First Step

Before you even think about formulas or charts, take some time to truly understand the data you’re working with. What does each column represent? What are the units of measurement? Are there any missing values or outliers that need addressing? Knowing your data intimately is crucial for accurate and insightful analysis. Spend time cleaning your data, ensuring consistency in formatting and addressing any inconsistencies. A solid foundation will prevent misleading results down the line.

Leveraging Simple Summary Statistics

Don’t underestimate the power of basic descriptive statistics. Functions like AVERAGE, MEDIAN, MODE, MIN, and MAX