In the course Present Compelling Data Stories with Excel, you will learn to transform your data from rows of numbers into a compelling story that drives decisions. In this intermediate course, you'll move beyond basic charts to master the art and science of data storytelling in Excel. Designed for financial analysts and professionals who need to communicate complex information, this course teaches you to apply proven design principles to build persuasive, easy-to-understand visual narratives.

Present Compelling Data Stories with Excel

Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Learners will be able to transform raw financial data into persuasive Excel narratives, refining clarity and flow through peer feedback.
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
February 2026
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

There are 2 modules in this course
This module lays the foundation for effective data storytelling by focusing on the “how-to” of creating impactful visuals in Excel. Learners will move beyond basic charts to understand the principles of visual rhetoric, learning to select the right chart type to convey a specific message. They will get hands-on experience building dynamic, presentation-ready charts that use color, annotations, and structure to tell a clear financial story, inspired by best-in-class examples from companies like Apple and Tesla.
What's included
2 videos2 readings2 assignments
This module focuses on the critical soft skills required to ensure a data story lands with impact. Learners will discover why even a well-designed chart can fail if its narrative is unclear. Using the Target Canada expansion failure as a cautionary tale of misleading data, they will learn to structure a peer review session, analyze constructive feedback, and use it to refine their presentation’s flow and clarity. The module culminates in a final project where learners revise their story based on AI-driven feedback, proving their ability to iterate and improve.
What's included
2 videos1 reading3 assignments
Instructor

Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.

Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
More questions
Financial aid available,
¹ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.

