Data Visualization Primer: Tools & Techniques

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Overview

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This comprehensive program takes you through the complete data visualization landscape, from fundamental charting in Excel and Google Sheets to advanced statistical plotting with Python libraries and AI-enhanced storytelling techniques. You'll master industry-standard tools including Power BI, Tableau, Matplotlib, and Seaborn while learning to create compelling data narratives that influence executive decisions and drive strategic action.

Syllabus

Course 1: Overview of Data Visualization
Course 2: Data Visualization using Microsoft Excel
Course 3: Unlocking Business Insights through Storytelling with Data
Course 4: Generative AI for Data Visualization and Data Storytelling
Course 5: Data Storytelling: Create Insights with Power BI & Tableau
Course 6: Time Series Data Visualization And Analysis Techniques
Course 7: Seaborn: Visualizing Basics to Advanced Statistical Plots
Course 8: Python for Data Visualization: Matplotlib & Seaborn
Course 9: GenAI for Business Intelligence Analysts

Courses

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1 hour 35 minutes
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In this hands-on project, we will understand the fundamentals of data visualization with Python and leverage the power of two important python libraries known as Matplotlib and seaborn. We will learn how to generate line plots, scatterplots, histograms, distribution plot, 3D plots, pie charts, pair plots, countplots and many more! Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.
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1 hour 26 minutes
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In this project, you will develop an understanding and appreciation for data visualization. You will review the benefits of data visualization as you examine existing examples of data that is displayed in a variety of visual formats. In addition, you will gain some hands-on experience in building your own data visualization examples by aggregating data and generating simple charts in Google Sheets. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing the same experience in other regions.
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1 hour 51 minutes
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By the end of this project we will learn how to analyze time series data. We are going to talk about different visualization techniques for time series datasets and we are going to compare them in terms of the tasks that we can solve using each of them. Tasks such as outlier detection, Key moments detection and overall trend analysis. During this project, we will learn how and when to use Line charts, Bar charts, and Boxplot. We will also learn some techniques about color mapping and we will understand how it can help us for a better analysis and understanding of our data.
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1 hour 19 minutes
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Have you ever been asked to create a report based on a lot of data and you did not know where to begin? Or, you simply needed to demonstrate data from different sources all in one place with minimum effort? By the end of this project, you will learn how to operate data to generate a report and demonstrate information in a comprehensive visual way in Microsoft Excel. In this project, you will create a free account on Microsoft 365, you will get access to Microsoft Excel and use data to generate a report with informative charts that you can present to your audience. Your new skills will help you efficiently make decisions based on a visual data presentation.
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2 hours 52 minutes
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In today’s data-driven world, harnessing the power of Generative AI to create impactful data visualizations is essential for effective communication and decision-making. This course focuses on utilizing cutting-edge AI tools to transform raw data into dynamic, insightful visual artifacts, enhancing your ability to convey complex information clearly and compellingly. Designed for data analysts, business intelligence professionals, and anyone involved in data storytelling, this course provides practical knowledge and skills to optimize your data visualization processes using AI. You'll explore current and emerging trends in AI-powered visualization platforms, ensuring you stay ahead in the ever-evolving data landscape. During this course, you'll focus on the following learning objectives: -Identify how AI tools transform traditional data visualization practices to produce dynamic, insightful presentations. -Analyze data visualization techniques with LLM-Chat interfaces to enhance understanding and communication of complex information. -Apply generative AI techniques for data storytelling, utilizing visualization methods to create compelling narratives. By completing this course, you'll be equipped to: -Understand and utilize cutting-edge Generative AI tools to create data visualization artifacts. -Gain practical knowledge on optimizing data visualization processes using AI. -Explore current and emerging trends in data visualization through AI-powered visualization platforms. This course is unique because it allows you to convert raw data into intuitive visualizations through various real-world industry examples. Generative AI empowers users to effectively communicate insights and make informed data-driven decisions. Whether you’re new to data visualization or looking to simplify complex information, this course equips you to uncover patterns, trends, and relationships using Generative AI tools. To succeed in this course, you should have a basic understanding of data analysis and charts, along with a willingness to explore innovative AI-driven solutions for data visualization.
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2 hours 25 minutes
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Welcome to the transformative world of Generative AI for Business Intelligence Analysts. This course will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills to leverage Generative AI (GenAI) in your daily workflows, enhancing your data-driven decision-making abilities. Through interactive discussions, video tutorials, and hands-on activities, you will learn how to streamline data exploration, elevate data visualization techniques, automate routine tasks, and unveil hidden insights within complex datasets. This course is ideal for team leaders and managers aiming to leverage GenAI to enhance efficiency and innovation, Business Intelligence Analysts seeking to refine their skills and streamline workflows, and career transitioners aspiring to break into the BI field with advanced, sought-after GenAI knowledge. Learners should have a basic understanding of data exploration and analysis principles, including familiarity with data types, basic statistics, and data visualization methods. Proficiency in using data manipulation tools like spreadsheets is advantageous. Upon completion of this course, learners will have the knowledge to unleash the transformative power of GenAI, ushering in a new era of efficiency, productivity and data driven insights in their roles as BI Analysts.
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2 hours 42 minutes
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This course delves into the captivating world of data storytelling, illuminating how data, when woven into narratives, can paint compelling pictures that drive decision-making and inspire change. It's a journey from the fundamentals of data visualization to the artistry of narrative building, designed for those who seek to make their data speak to audiences in meaningful ways. Through this course, participants will explore the intersection of analytics and creativity, learning to convert complex datasets into clear, impactful stories. Whether the goal is to influence business strategies, share insights in academia, or engage the public, this course equips you with the skills to bring data to life through powerful storytelling.   This course is designed for data analysts, marketers, journalists, educators, and students in data-related fields. Whether you're exploring datasets for insights, crafting marketing narratives, or enhancing journalism with data-driven stories, this course enhances your storytelling through impactful data visualization. Participants should have a basic grasp of data analysis concepts and be familiar with tools like Microsoft Excel for creating visualizations. Enthusiasm for refining storytelling and presentation skills is encouraged. This course is ideal for those eager to enhance their ability to communicate data insights effectively. By the end of the course, participants will adeptly navigate the intersection of data visualization and storytelling, enhancing audience engagement and comprehension. Through advanced design principles and storytelling techniques, they'll synthesize compelling data visualizations that resonate with their intended audience. Cultivating a critical eye for data integrity, relevance, and biases, they'll ensure narrative objectivity. Finally, mastering diverse tools and software, they'll craft engaging, visually appealing data stories.
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1 hour 28 minutes
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Data visualization is a powerful tool for exploring and communicating insights from data effectively. Seaborn, a Python visualization library built on top of Matplotlib, offers a wide range of features for creating attractive and informative statistical plots. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Seaborn, covering basic plotting techniques as well as advanced statistical visualizations. Participants will learn how to leverage Seaborn to visualize data distributions, relationships, and patterns, enabling them to convey complex information visually with confidence. Data visualization is a powerful tool for exploring and communicating insights from data effectively. Seaborn, a Python visualization library built on top of Matplotlib, offers a wide range of features for creating attractive and informative statistical plots. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Seaborn, covering basic plotting techniques as well as advanced statistical visualizations. Participants will learn how to leverage Seaborn to visualize data distributions, relationships, and patterns, enabling them to convey complex information visually with confidence. Participants should have a basic understanding of Python programming and fundamental data visualization concepts before enrolling in this course. Familiarity with Python's data manipulation libraries such as Pandas, and an introductory knowledge of Matplotlib, will be beneficial. This foundational knowledge will enable learners to quickly grasp Seaborn's functionalities and apply them effectively in their data visualization tasks. By the end of this course, learners will be equipped to explain the critical role of data visualization in data analysis and interpretation. They will gain practical skills in creating basic plots using Seaborn to visualize data distributions and relationships. Additionally, learners will explore advanced statistical plots for deeper data analysis and develop the ability to customize and enhance Seaborn visualizations, ensuring their data stories are communicated clearly and impactfully.
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3 hours 22 minutes
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In today’s insight-driven world, the ability to turn dashboards into powerful stories is no longer optional it's a leadership superpower. Executives don’t need more charts; they need clarity, context, and conviction. That’s where this course comes in. “Data Storytelling for Leaders” is a practical, example-rich course designed for business leaders, analysts, consultants, and decision-makers who want to elevate the way they communicate insights. Using Power BI and Tableau, two of the world’s most widely used analytics tools, you’ll learn how to go beyond raw reports and build narrative dashboards that influence decisions, align teams, and drive strategic action. Through hands-on walkthroughs, real-world datasets, and simulated boardroom scenarios, you’ll discover: - How to structure a data story that resonates from setup to insight to action - When to use visuals like bar charts, trend lines, and filters for maximum impact - How to turn interactivity into a guided insight experience - What executives really want (and don’t want) in a dashboard walkthrough Whether you're briefing your CEO, pitching an investor, or reporting to your leadership team, this course will teach you how to make every insight count. This course is tailored for business leaders, managers, analysts, consultants, and decision-makers who want to elevate their data communication skills by transforming dashboards into compelling narratives using Power BI and Tableau. You’ll leave equipped to bridge the gap between analytics and strategy, turning insights into action. It’s especially valuable for professionals who regularly present data to senior stakeholders and want to make their insights more persuasive, engaging, and actionable. Participants should have a basic grasp of business metrics (sales, profit, growth, etc.) and some exposure to the Power BI or Tableau interface—no coding or data-science background required. A willingness to explore new visualization techniques will accelerate your learning, and actively experimenting with sample datasets will solidify your dashboard design skills. By the end of this course, you will be able to craft strategic data stories using the storytelling arc (setup, insight, action), design intent-driven dashboards with effective layouts and interactivity, select visuals and tools that spotlight key insights, and confidently present your dashboards to executives while anticipating their critical questions. You’ll also develop the persuasive communication skills needed to influence stakeholder decisions. Plus, you’ll learn how to gather and incorporate feedback to continuously refine your dashboards for even greater impact.

Taught by

Ahmad Varasteh, Aseem Singhal, Caio Avelino, Daria Toropchyn, Dev Ramesh, Judy Richardson, Ryan Ahmed, Starweaver, Vinita Silaparasetty and Woody Lewenstein