SQL basics for Excel users

Each training is led by seasoned practitioners with years of hands-on experience across diverse industries and corporate environments.

• Audience: Analysts comfortable with Excel, new to databases and SQL
• SQL Basics → query data
• Focus on mapping familiar Excel concepts → new tools reduces learning friction.
• Hands-on exercises keep engagement high.
• Duration: 2 half-day sessions (4 hrs each)
• Total 8 hours for foundational fluency in SQL for Excel users.

Key translation from Excel → SQL

• Worksheets → Tables
• Filters → WHERE
• Formulas → Expressions in SELECT
• PivotTables → GROUP BY + aggregates
• VLOOKUP → JOIN

1. Querying data like an analyst

1. Intro & setup

   • What is a database? Why SQL?
   • Using SQL client tools
   • Your first SELECT

2. Filtering & sorting

   • SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY
   • Conditions: =, >, BETWEEN, IN, LIKE
   • Exercise: Filter data like Excel AutoFilter

3. Calculations & expressions

   • Creating new columns
   • String & date functions
   • Exercise: Recreate Excel-style calculated columns

4. Summarizing data

   • Aggregates
   • GROUP BY = PivotTable rows
   • HAVING vs WHERE
   • Exercise: Data summary

2. Combining data & real-world queries

1. Recap & Q&A

2. Combining tables: JOINs

   • INNER JOIN = VLOOKUP (but better)
   • Left vs Inner vs Full
   • Aliases (AS) for readability
   • Exercise: Enrich data

3. Subqueries & CTEs

   • Formulas that refer to other sheets → CTEs
   • Simple subqueries in WHERE or FROM
   • Exercise

4. Data cleaning & practical tips

   • Handling NULL
   • CASE statements = IF() in Excel
   • Common date/time manipulations

5. Capstone project: Business analysis

6. Wrap-up

   • When to use Excel vs SQL
   • Resources

Get started

Ready to level up your team’s data skills? Contact us for a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your training needs.