Choose your next data skill after Excel: VBA for desktop automation, SQL for databases, Power BI or Tableau for dashboards, and Python for programmable analysis.
The best next step after Excel depends on the task. You might want to automate repeated work, query a database, build dashboards, or analyze data with code. These tools complement spreadsheet skills in different ways.
VBA: automate desktop Excel tasks
Visual Basic for Applications lets you automate actions in desktop Excel. The Macro Recorder can generate code for supported actions, and the Visual Basic Editor lets you inspect and adapt it. Use macros only from trusted sources and follow your organization's security policy.
SQL: query database information
SQL retrieves and works with information in relational databases. Learn filtering, joins, and grouped results when your analysis depends on related tables or repeatable queries. Syntax and features vary between database systems.
Power BI or Tableau: build interactive dashboards
These business intelligence tools help connect data sources, build visualizations, and share interactive reports. Choose based on your team's existing tools, data sources, and publishing requirements. Excel also supports charts and analytical workflows, so a separate tool is not always necessary.
Python: write reusable analysis and automation
Python is a general-purpose language with libraries for data preparation, analysis, visualization, and machine learning. It is useful when you need a repeatable coded workflow. The amount of data you can process depends on the libraries, approach, and computing resources you use.
Explore NYIM data analytics classes or continue developing your Excel skills.