Assignment: Analyze Yearly Trends

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

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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 hereFollow 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.
    A Microsoft Excel sheet is open with content in cells A1 through B13. Cell A is representing months while cell B is representing total sales. All of column B has been formatted with dollar signs next to all of the numbers. The auto fit column width has been applied.
  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
    An excel sheet with content in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1. A1 is representing the months, B1 is representing 2012 sales, C1 is representing 2013 sales, D1 is representing 2014 sales and E1 is showing the 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.An excel sheet with content in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1. A1 is representing the months, B1 is representing 2012 sales, C1 is representing 2013 sales, D1 is representing 2014 sales and E1 is showing the monthly trends. Cells A1, B1, C1, and D1 have data entered in them down to line 14.
  5. Now apply conditional formatting to your sales data to highlight any month with a value less than $4,000.
    An excel sheet with content in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1. A1 is representing the months, B1 is representing 2012 sales, C1 is representing 2013 sales, D1 is representing 2014 sales and E1 is showing the monthly trends. Cells A1, B1, C1, and D1 have data entered in them down to line 14. Cells D4, C6, D8, and D12 have been highlighted in red.
  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.
    An excel sheet with content in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1. A1 is representing the months, B1 is representing 2012 sales, C1 is representing 2013 sales, D1 is representing 2014 sales and E1 is showing the monthly trends. Cells A1, B1, C1, and D1 have data entered in them down to line 14. Cells D4, C6, D8, and D12 have been highlighted in red. The E row has been filled in down to line 14 with small graphs showing the monthly trends.
  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.A Microsoft Excel sheet is open with content in cells A1 through B13. Cell A is representing months while cell B is representing total sales. All of column B has been formatted with dollar signs next to all of the numbers. The auto fit column width has been applied. The total sales values have been re-ordered to display the highest earning months.
  8. Finally, go back to Sheet4 and create a clustered column chart of your data.An excel sheet with content in cells A1, B1, C1, D1, and E1. A1 is representing the months, B1 is representing 2012 sales, C1 is representing 2013 sales, D1 is representing 2014 sales and E1 is showing the monthly trends. Cells A1, B1, C1, and D1 have data entered in them down to line 14. Cells D4, C6, D8, and D12 have been highlighted in red. The E row has been filled in down to line 14 with small graphs showing the monthly trends. A large graph has popped up representing all the data in the excel sheet.
  9. Save your work and submit it in your course online.