This assignment can be found in Google Docs: Business Communication Skills for Managers Assignment: Analyze Yearly Trends

To make your own copy to edit:

• If you want a Google Doc: in the file menu of the open document, click “Make a copy.” This will give you your own Google Doc to work from.
• If you want a PDF or Word file: in the file menu of the open document, click “Download” and select the file type you would like to have (note: depending on the file type you select, the formatting could get jumbled).

In this assignment, we will pull together everything you have learned about Excel to analyze trends in sales data over several years.

To complete this assignment, you will need the assignment you completed last module that you saved as BA132_LastName_SalesData.xlsx (or you can download the original assignment here) and a new workbook you can download here. Follow the directions, then submit your assignment. If you get stuck on a step, review this module and ask your classmates for help in the discussion forum.

1. Open both workbooks. Save the new Module 7 file to the Rowan folder on your desktop as BA132_LastName_YearlyTrends.xlsx, replacing “LastName” with your own last name. (Example: BA132_Hywater_Memo) It is a good idea to save your work periodically.
2. First, we need to combine the information into a single workbook. Add a new worksheet to the Module 7 file and copy the table from the Module 6 assignment to that new tab. Name the new tab “2014”. Be sure to set the number type to currency.
   
3. Add another new worksheet. Now we want to set up the spacing for the table we are about to make. Merge the 1 and 2 cells of column A, B, C, D, and E individually (so A1 and A2 merge, B1 and B2 merge, etc). Then name the cells as shown in the list below and center the text in those cells.
   A = Month
   B = 2012 Sales
   C = 2013 Sales
   D = 2014 Sales
   E = Monthly Trends
   
4. Copy the following columns of data over in order: “2012 Sales Total,” “2013 Sales Total,” and “2014 Sales Total.” Remember, you can just copy and paste each column in order, using the columns you have already labeled. When you AutoFit the column to the data width, your header cells will change.
5. Now apply conditional formatting to your sales data to highlight any month with a value less than $4,000.
   
6. Next, in the ‘Monthly Trends’ column, create a sparkline that shows performance for that month over the three years. Remember, after you create the first sparkline in January, you can just copy and paste into the other cells.
   
7. Return to the individual tabs for each year. For each year of data, sort the sales total “Z to A” so that the month with the highest sales is at the top. When you chose the “Sort” option, be sure to “Expand the Selection.” That will make sure that the months change as well. The screenshot below shows you only what 2012 should look like, but when you finish you should see October as the highest in 2012, August for 2013, and May for 2014.
8. Finally, go back to Sheet4 and create a clustered column chart of your data.
9. Save your work and submit it in your course online.