Data manipulation is the part of data science that organizes or changes data into formatting that's easier to read and use for analytical purposes. It may involve advanced techniques and tools, such as relational algebra or SQL to manage the data. It may also require less advanced skills, such as alphabetization or spreadsheets to compile the data for the end user. This type of data analysis makes it possible for a data scientist to pull pertinent information for decision-making purposes out of a large, otherwise disorganized mass of data.‎

If you have a passion for using computers and solving complex problems and puzzles, learning data manipulation may lead to a variety of opportunities as a data scientist. These opportunities include becoming a data analyst, a data engineer, or a machine learning engineer. Tasks you might encounter during a typical workday in these fields include cluster analysis and creating a pivot table or a lookup table. If you want a very hands-on career that puts you in control of finding the most essential items in a company's data, learning data manipulation will help you get started in the field.‎

Taking online data manipulation courses on Coursera can help you advance in your data science career by improving the skills and tools you have at your disposal, making the information you're able to provide for your employer more accurate and valuable. If you aren't already working in the data science field, taking online courses in data manipulation can serve as a place to begin your industry-specific data analysis education. Courses are available to match your current knowledge base, so whether you're a beginner learning about data manipulation and data science for the first time, or you're approaching courses from an intermediate or advanced level, you can jump in and start learning at your convenience.‎