"Excel Project"

The excel project was both difficult and time consuming. First I had to manipulate and format a set of raw data. This portion of the project was the easiest. I used the video examples as my guide and was able to manipulate the data set to fit the requirements. Patience was the key for this part of the project. It was hard not to rush through this section and bypass a portion of the directions. However, through trial and error I was able to complete this piece of the project and feel some sense of accomplishment. This was the largest set of data that I have ever worked with in Excel and I had to overcome a few obstacles especially when using formulas. Overall I feel I did well on this part of the project but my difficulties were about to increase.

The second part of the Excel project was the data analysis section. This was the portion of the project where I had to create two pivot tables. The first pivot table was fairly basic. However, I struggled when trying to figure out what to put in the values section of the pivot table. After a few hours of trial and error I realized that the count of the target achieved was the necessary input in the values section. Hopefully it turned out fine. The second pivot table was a nightmare for me. This pivot table I was asked to determine the average percent increase in heart rates for the subjects but the subjects needed to be grouped by decades. I was never able to figure out how to group the subjects by decades. I watched the pivot table videos online multiple times and I read the excel discussion board. Still I was not able to figure out how to group the subjects. I hope I will not be penalized too many points. As far as the other components of the pivot table, I feel I was able to figure them out.

In conclusion, the data analysis portion of this project was extremely challenging. I wasn't able to figure out how to group the subjects by decade and thus ended up not meeting the requirements for my second pivot table. Overall this project tested my patience, my computer skills, and my attention to detail. There were times where I felt like giving up especially with the pivot tables. Luckily the discussion posts and videos were able to help me in creating my first one but I was never able to grasp the concept of grouping. However, I did learn how to manipulate cells by using different addressing techniques. I also figured out how to alter portions of the pivot tables by switching up the inputs into the columns, rows, and values sections. Below is a screen capture of my second pivot table. All 49 subjects are visible because I was never able to figure out how to group them by decade.