With the last episode for 2020, I wanted to take a look back and pull out some of the main themes and topics from the podcast. As people rushed to pick up new data skills to adapt to our changing environment this year, I think the precedent has been set for how one can learn almost anything from home. You may have picked up Excel and data analysis skills this year. What are some skills you should think about for 2021? This episode provides five skills for data analysts to consider adding to their toolbet in 2021.

First, a look back at some of the main topics from 2020:

1. Excel errors will still happen

Aside from the latest features Microsoft or Google releases for Excel and Google Sheets, the only spreadsheet news that makes it to mainstream media are mistakes that lead to a financial loss.

It all started with episode 38 where I spoke about the JPMorgan Chase trader that caused a $6.2B loss. Given the popularity of this episode, I did a few follow up episodes including episode 40 on the two Harvard professors who created a report that may have led to incorrect austerity policies. There was also episode 49 all about how Tesla might have underpaid by $400M for the acquisition of SolarCity. Many of these stories can be found on the EuSpRIG website (which I covered in episode 47).

These stories go back to the early 90s. After 30 years, I expect these stories to continue making headlines. When analysts are lazy, put under time constraints, and are hastily putting together spreadsheets, these errors will undoubtably occur.

2. Excel's custom data types, what's the hype?

Excel's custom data types came onto the scene a few months ago. The Excel community raved about the new feature, but I think the jury is still out on real use cases and audience for this feature. Touted as going "beyond text and numbers," the features is still in active development and is still missing some crucial features. I did deeper into this feature in episode 51. A more recent feature announcement called LAMBDA may give analysts the ability to extend Excel beyond what it's meant to do. Just like the custom data types feature, we'll wait to see how this feature actually gets used in the workplace.

It's rare to see new features for Excel completely change the way analysts do their work. This video from MAKRO makes a good point about new features kind of dumbing down the existing features that power users have come to love (and master).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xubbVvKbUfY

3. Google Apps Script for the win

This year was all about Google Apps Script for me. From doing some heavy VBA scripting during my financ...