Excel vs. Power BI - What is the BEST Skill to LEARN?

Excel & Power BI are both important for aspiring data analysts. So which one should you focus and learn NOW?
In this fun and informative video, see how these two compare and what my verdict is.
In the video ⏱
============
0:00 - Excel or Power BI - the comparison
0:34 - Excel Pros
3:30 - Power BI Pros
6:23 - Excel Cons
9:32 - Power BI Cons
11:55 - My recommendation for students
13:45 - My recommendation for working professionals
Resources to LEARN Excel / Power BI 📚🎓
===================================
~ KZbin Videos:
Data Analysis with Excel - FULL COURSE - • Beginner to Pro FREE E...
Data Analysis with Power BI - FULL COURSE - • Beginner to PRO Data A...
Excel vs. Power BI - Report comparison - • I made the SAME Dashbo...
~ Courses:
Excel School program (Full course for data people) - chandoo.org/wp/excel-school/
Power BI Play Date (Course for Power BI) - chandoo.org/wp/power-bi-play-...
Happy Learning 😀
CREDITS 🙌
==========
Music - Epidemic Sound ~ www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
Gear - Canon M50 with Rode Mic ~ www.amazon.com/shop/chandoo
#Excel #PowerBI

[@vijayarjunwadkar]

Thanks Chandoo for this crisp and succinct video on two of the most commonly used tools. You pointed out the pros/cons perfectly to help one decide! Great! 😊👍

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Vijay...

[@nandkishoresoni3954]

I m still using excel 2007

[@nandkishoresoni3954]

I started following your text blog in 2008 onwards

[@christiandgreat8127]

BI Engineer here. To cut to the chase. You need to learn both. I would say 20% Excel 80% PBI. Speaking through experience, you need to learn excel because when your talking projects from user they usually use excel and you need to understand what are they doing.

[@akin242002]

"Excel is everywhere". Facts!

[@chandoo_]

💥💥💥

[@yousifmohammed4841]

I learnt both of them and I can't dispense any of them! Excel is great for quick analysis and data validation. On the other hand, Power Bi is much better in data visualization, slicing/dicing , connection to databases and large datasets. I can develop beautiful and interactive dashboards in Power Bi, but by the end of day I wouldn't publish them until I validate the results through Excel by the simple Excel lookups, pivoting and filtering features. In my opinion, they are integrating each other ,not competing!

[@chandoo_]

Great point there Yousif.

[@itzmemk1529]

You have put me in a situation that i could never skip any part of you videos. Thanks for this content.

[@chamindasilva3191]

Thanks , I always appreciate your inputs and honest opinions. Your channel has become my first point of reference to learn Excel and Power BI. Thanks again and good luck with your channel.

[@nazarkamal8831]

Excel is everywhere!! Excel is like a eye & BI like a cooler glass

[@donaldmillwood6308]

Thanks, Chandoo - Excellent pros and cons video. I have used Power BI to do financial modelling quite successfully esp with star schema data models - I found this much easier than using Excel. I can do some simulations using Power BI. Where Power BI shines for me is taking advantage of context transition and building report pages to initiate discussions with clients, colleagues, business leaders etc.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Don for sharing your perspective. I agree that the interactive nature of Power BI makes for a pleasant & collaborative experience. PS: I would love to talk and know more about the financial models you have built in Power BI. Are you open to sharing more? If so, please email me at [e-mail].

[@salehmuhammad6811]

Chandoo you are one of my inspiration for power BI. Thanks for your teaching such a valuable topics.

[@universalblak72]

Great video commentary. I was at a crossroads in which of the two softwares that I want to study first. I've already started purchasing some E-Books and watching videos on Excel but as of lately I've been leaning towards Power Bi. Judging by the evidence presented Excel despite it's seniority as in terms of software takes the cake. So now moving forward my entire summer will be spent studying Excel. 😂 For I am still looking forward to learning Power Bi down the road. Subscribed and looking forward to checking out your videos and more. Thank you.

[@ipsitaaparimita1873]

Woww, I didn't see Excel in programming aspects. Awesome. Thanks a lot 😀

[@duurduranto]

Im loving your videos. Has the information perfectly that i am looking for to be a data analyst. Thank you very much for your help

[@pratikkushwaha]

Watching this channel for first time and I really appreciate how concise and helpful this content is. Amazing.

[@chandoo_]

Welcome aboard Pratik. 😀

[@ahmetemin1721]

Great video as always, thanks man 👍

[@MrAloha]

How come I've never seen this video? It's exactly what I'm always teaching! 😁 Plus, I'm often asked why I teach Excel when there are so many Excel videos out there. 😂 Thanks, Chandoo!

[@salehmuhammad6811]

Chandoo you are one of my inspiration for power BI. Thanks for your valuable 👍 topics to be taught us.

[@chandoo_]

Thank you Saleh 😀

[@abigaillee9052]

Thanks Chandoo, i am inspired from your video to become a MVP in future, never stop learning even graduated from a different field!

[@behrad9712]

Oh, thanks a lot! I struggled in my mind with this question 🙏

[@TejasNaik01]

Thank you Chandoo for this comparison video.

[@aafifuddeen]

I love to learn Power BI, but Excel will always be my choice due to the availability

[@angelv1393]

learning so much, thank you!!!

[@shivanisorakhe4589]

Very informative video. Thanks.

[@abdulmalikyakubu9091]

Great video as usual, Chando. By the way, I was wondering.. do I need to master all the resources (excel, power BI, SQL and Python) before I can start to work as a data analyst? For now I'm only really savvy with excel and I'm learning power BI soon.

[@chrism9037]

Another great video, thanks Chandoo. This is a great explanation between the two.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Chris... 😀

[@hilmansyahbo5492]

Thanks for sharing this great lesson.

[@talksister4496]

Excellent Chandoo, thank you very much. You helped me make a clear decision.

[@salmaalaa6158]

Great advice! Thanks Chandoo!!

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Salma...

[@awesh1986]

I have just started with your videos you are too good with the explanation

[@Alam2k23]

Quality Content

[@kirankumar-vj8ei]

Thanks for such valuable advice

[@mukta81]

You are a very good teacher. You know how to hit the right point through the learners point of view. Thanks

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Mukta... 😀

[@Simon_boakye]

Indeed! He is among the best!❤️❤️💕

[@aparnapandravada5073]

Appreciate your efforts 👌 You have given a honest review.

[@chandoo_]

My pleasure 😊

[@surajbhardwaj428]

Excel is the best... 👌 Thank you So much sir.👍

[@prathyupa]

This was useful. Thank you chandoo

[@MihailAnohin]

Chandoo , thank u for this video! It was very useful for me 😊👍

[@Lifewithnimi998]

Thank You Chandoo!

[@TheJoshtheboss]

I'm just starting with Power BI, but long term Excel user. I think skills are easier transferable from Excel to BI, than the other way around. As both programs share many things, like Power Query, Data Model, DAX. Power BI looks to me like Pivot table/chart environment with Power Query. Once you know how to do those in excel, working with BI should be intuitive. However, Excel is very versatile and person coming solely from Power BI might struggle in Excel outside of pivot tables and charts, using regular ranges and tables, formulas, data validation, transforming and cleaning data without power query.

[@tariqsheikh5310]

great knowledge sir

[@matthewlane1040]

Started learning excel from your website years ago,, just came across this channel as I’m brushing back up on PowerBI 😁 thank you for always delivering great content!!

[@chandoo_]

Welcome aboard!

[@canirmalchoudhary8173]

Thank you for this crystal clear analysis

[@chandoo_]

You are so welcome

[@sunriseeternity300]

I like extra effort of the location changes. #chandoo #enjoylife #exceltutorial #powerbi

[@judyl.7811]

Power BI is in demand, fancy, and quick with large dataset. Excel exists the long way. free to download.

[@imtiyazali705]

ITS VERY OF KIND YOU FOR SHARING SUCH A INFORMATIVE VIDEO...I WAS LOOKING EXACTLY THIS TYPE OF VIDEO BECUASE THESE DAYS POWER BI IS IN FULL DEMAND WHEREAS I AM USING EXCEL SINCE 2010..I WAS IN A FENCE WEATHER SHOULD I GO FOR POWER BI OR NOT..

[@entertainmentanalyst1559]

I'll take this minute to express a heartiest thank you ... My entire 15 years of career span of data analysis and management consulting I've learned these excel stuffs from you Whenever my folks say I'm guru in excel i shout a thanks to you. Once again thanks to you for shaping my career without you even knowing it

[@chandoo_]

Thanks EA :)

[@dexxxxxxxx]

Sir, which languages you use as daya analyst. I'm newbie in this field I'm learning Excel. SQL and power BI is next in my list to learn. Please guide me. I'm from Gujarat.

[@faisalkhizar8399]

@@dexxxxxxxx "R" & python 😊

[@JyotiVerma-hn5by]

All three locations were cool..

[@makarand1985]

Chandoo you are a superstar (or MS Excel Super Star) !!!

[@edendavodbetossib8818]

Thanks for this amazing video, it really hepled me understand what I'm supposed to do .appreciate it

[@chandoo_]

Glad it helped!

[@Farhazh]

Hi Chandoo, thanks for the awesome video as always. I would want to have a full detailed video explaining about all dax functions and syntax with real time examples please. I am trying to learn dax but details are so widely spread over internet that its creating more of a confusion then helping. Would really appreciate please. Thanks

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Farhaz. I have a DAX getting started video here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3TYgYWnhrOYbLs I also have a DAX playlist here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGjKcn2Dd8l9bs0 I will be adding a few more soon on the channel.

[@gizelledomingo9992]

Thank you sir.

[@AP-eb8hd]

Good video... When I started, it was Quattro Pro that rocked and Excel was just making its way in.. I doubt many even know about Quattro Pro anymore..

[@chandoo_]

Thanks for sharing! Wow. I used a little bit of Lotus 1-2-3 back when I started learning, but my first real version has been Excel 2003.

[@AP-eb8hd]

@@chandoo_ Yeap... And 2007 was a good game changer... Power Query, Power Pivot are excellent tools now. I don't even bother with VBA anymore.

[@skumar05]

Hi chandoo I want to suggest you one thing please teach power bi with database I mean to attach the file so that all viewers can practice with database

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Rahul. I already have many Power BI videos, all with full sample datasets (and data models). I suggest starting with this one - kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6jIaXZtgJ2Zjrs

[@xxczerxx]

The way I see it, if you learn Python and Power BI you are pretty powerful asset as far as data analysts go. Throw some SQL in there (to minimise overusing Power Query)and you are a weapon!

[@thameemansary6454]

Which BI tool is a better option for beginners, tableau or power bi

[@victoryudoeyo691]

This is a very detailed comparison. I believe Microsoft is fixing the different versions issue with the new 2021 (hopefully). A lot of Excel 365 features are already included in the new 2021 version. I'd personally love to see Microsoft unify the versions.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Victory. On the contrary, the news I get from MS is that while they are going to bridge some of the gaps, Excel 365 will continue to evolve where as "standalone" versions are frozen in time of the release. So 2021 will have what 365 has (probably few less features) and stay there while 365 marches on. 😨

[@chiphungerford]

Great video,

[@chandoo_]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ExcelWithChris]

Thanks!!!

[@chandoo_]

You are welcome Chris...

[@KC-tz6jo]

Thanks for your efforts 💕😎

[@chandoo_]

My pleasure 😊

[@srinagavaishnavis8504]

Hi chandoo sir! Your videos are interesting and am having a great learning sir..I have a doubt as a human resource student, power bi or excel which one is good to learn?

[@chandoo_]

I have done quite a bit of work as "HR Analyst" and I can confirm that "Excel" is the number 1 app used by HR people.

[@srinagavaishnavis8504]

@@chandoo_ thank you sir!!

[@kazimohammadminhajulislam8550]

4 days into this channel and I am sad about why not I checked Chandoo in 2010. Lets appreciate his efforts.

[@chandoo_]

Welcome here Kazi. Better late than never 😀

[@ashutoshdas7811]

Great

[@chandoo_]

😎😎😎

[@poonamsutar1726]

your explanation skills are awesome ... thanks

[@chandoo_]

Glad you like them!

[@khaleelgaffar3436]

Hello Mr Chandoo!! another amazing video!! kudos! Q - Quick question, many job listings are asking for "Alteryx", do you think it is something worth investing our time to learn? or we are better of improving on our Excel/BI skills.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Khaleel. Alteryx is a data prep & automated analysis tool. I am not familiar with it. But I suggest learning Power Query as well, as if you end up working with Microsoft platform, then PQ will be vital for data analysis.

[@moseenmd46]

excellent video

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Moseen 😀😀😀

[@awesh1986]

Awesome but I think Excel should be the starting point always. Power BI can be learnt well post EXCEL. I maybe wrong

[@daviddevita]

Hey, Chandoo! May I ask you a very silly question? There's something I simply don't understand: let's say you build a project, run the analysis and jump into an outcome. Fine. Project finished. What's next? Even if you build a dashboard, it becomes "their" problem because you aim them to self manage their decision making process. Is this right? If so, what is the daily basis activity of a data scientist? Would I be unemployed right after the project is finished? I'm kind of stuck with this doubt. Thabks for your great videos. Greetings from Argentina!

[@ArmandoReportes]

I work for one customer for a while, then I go to another project, and then I get a call from another one. I work with, let's say, Human Resources. They will recommend me with Finance. Finance will get me in touch with Marketing. Human Resources then will ask me to help somebody else, and I get to work with a lot of people at different departments for a while at a time, and then they call me again after I work with another company.

[@lutfishaban9077]

Both skills should be learned for becoming data analyst

[@venkas185]

Hi can you help me with building some excel spreadsheet for my work?

[@ArmandoReportes]

I couldn't agree more with you: most college students fail to see how Excel will be useful for them. Just let them work for six months after graduation, and then they will be ready to learn Excel. I tell people to learn both Power BI and Excel, because they complement each other perfectly. When I am teaching them how to use Power BI, I often copy the queries, paste them in Excel 365's Power Query, create a Power Pivot and add some charts connected with slicers and timelines. Most people don't know Excel did it before there was a Power BI! I will explain how in 2010 Excel was given four new Powers (View, Pivot, Query and Map) which could be shared as a Web Page in Sharepoint, and then three of those four powers combined into Power BI Desktop, and Power Query was cloned: the original remained with Excel, the clone went with Power BI, and they would merge with Sharepoint to become Power BI Pro and Premium. So, even though Excel has not kept up with Power BI, it still has many great features in common with it. Learning one helps with the other.

[@chandoo_]

Great points Armando.

[@shashankks2454]

Hello sir, Can you make a video on how to land on job..and must learn functions in boath excel and power bi

[@chandoo_]

I have a few videos on this theme. I suggest looking at this playlist - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYfVaplnfK-XkMU

[@Griffindor21]

Great video! Whats your thought on Power BI vs SAS Viya?

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Marvin... I haven't used SAS Viya. So cannot comment.

[@mattmatt245]

Hi Chandoo. Did you do a video on how to remove duplicates when column values can be swapped like (1,2) and (2,1) would be a duplicate. Thanks

[@sumbowilliams1089]

Very interested in this as well

[@chandoo_]

That is a good question Matt. Power Query doesn't have SET data type. We can use Lists & apply SORT on the list and then take distinct. I will make a video on this at a later time.

[@mattmatt245]

@@chandoo_ If you have just numbers in both columns then it's easy to accomplish with an if statement and helper column, but if it's some combination of numbers and letters then I don't know how to count duplicates.

[@chandoo_]

Good point.

[@mattmatt245]

@@chandoo_ Were you able to figure out the solution ?

[@yousifmohammed4841]

Both has the same level of importance! To be a good doctor, you have to be good in diagnosis diseases by normal methods such as stethoscope as well as by advanced technologies like MRI. The same is applicable with data analysis. To be a good data analyst you have to be good in analyzing data by normal tool like Excel, as well as by advanced technologies like Power Bi or Tableau. For me ,as a patient, I can't trust doctors who know only advanced technologies because they are not authentic as they rely on machine rather than experience. On the other hand, I can't trust doctors who only know the normal tools because they are outdated. Therefore, I don't trust any data analyst who only knows Excel, or only knows visualization tools.

[@snbacademy6770]

Thanks Chandoo, I am also confused between Excel and Power Bi, I am a BBA Graduate with 10 years of Account and Finance experience, Now I want to do power Bi and shift my carrier to Data analyst. It will be great help to me if you can give suggestions

[@chandoo_]

Do watch the video fully. I discuss this concept. Feel free to browse the Power BI videos here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXu6XoyYabWZkJo

[@scottkomplin2482]

Are you available for private training on Power BI? I am a Corporate Finance Controller and want to learn how to use Power BI in my work

[@riazuddin7493]

Hi hope you are doing well. I have two questions. 1. Have you uploaded any video related to setting Goals & KPIs? If yes please share the link with me as I want to learn the same. 2. Regarding managing alerts on Dashboard is there any options through which I can set a general alert? For example in my Department there are various processes related to staff benefits i.e. processing of loans, reimbursements and final settlement. Each process has an agreed Turnaround Time (TAT) I want to set alert so that if any staff's request exceeds the agreed TAT then Power BI should highlight those records for me on my Dashboard alert so that I can instruct my staff or ask them the reason for delay in processing of staff request. Many thanks in advance for your usual help.

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Riaz. I am doing GREAT. 1) I do not YET have a video on KPI selection. But I talk about it in other videos in my dashboard playlist. Check out them for some best practice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/poHTnIx4btp6b6M 2) I am not an expert in the Power BI online workspaces. I suggest looking at help for this. All the best.

[@UgoCynthia]

I'm looking to transition to data analysis, i wish you can take me on one on one coaching, thanks.

[@chandoo_]

Hi Ugo.. I don't have any one-on-one programs, but please consider the Excel School program to learn from me. Visit chandoo.org/wp/excel-school-program/

[@mansijswarnkar4389]

nice video

[@chandoo_]

Thanks Mansij...

[@manosdiary1996]

Hai bro i am not getting map visualisation in powerbi could you pls guide for me

[@nazarkamal8831]

Excel is best beyond all the generation!!! ❤❤❤❤🎉🎉

[@namanbader]

Hi Chandoo, do you think skill of PowerBI can handle the issue of unemployment at a mass level

[@chandoo_]

Not sure what the correct answer is. If you are unemployed, learn whatever you need to, do whatever you can. Once you have job, more opportunities open up for you.

[@jinendraprasadpayappanavar9559]

💚💚

[@LondonSingh]

You are top guy

[@chandoo_]

So are you...

[@LondonSingh]

@@chandoo_ I have a Business idea in mind, let me know if you are looking for startup. I am in West Midlands UK.

[@kurrysamir]

Have been reading on usage of PowerBI with AI, is that a good topic to add more videos on?

[@chandoo_]

The AI visual space in Power BI is exciting for sure. I talk about them in my courses. I will include some demos in the KZbin as well in upcoming months.

[@JoshAutomates]

Excel is the foundation and versatile as data source. How I wish they also leverage all the features from desktop similar to Excel Online. Still a few steps behind. :(

[@chandoo_]

As Excel Online runs in browser, I suspect if it will ever catch up. But the compatibility is amazing so far.

[@sonalichitre2230]

can you. Pls guide me abt your course

[@dataanalyst2286]

Sir how to find freelancers online jobs for XL and PBI?

[@ARIFSAIFIFARHAN]

Hi chandoo As I learned excel and now I am getting confused that what I should going to learn vba Or should goi for power bi

[@chandoo_]

Congratulations on learning Excel. I suggest picking the next steps based on job situation. If you don't have any need to use either VBA or Power BI, wait until you have a real need. Power BI changes every month, so better to learn it closer to the time of usage. On the other hand, VBA is not being actively "improved" by Microsoft. So by the time you use it, it might be replaced by some other programming language.

[@theblogger3664]

Plz guide me which was Is good to Get job in anylitics Excle Power Bi Can teach Excel or Power Bi. Real time for us Can teach in telugu for Andhrapradesh students

[@chandoo_]

I talked about this in the video. Please watch. I have courses on both. Excel course - chandoo.org/wp/excel-school-program/ Power BI course - chandoo.org/wp/power-bi-play-date/

[@satishrkulkarni114]

Mastering which skill , one can get work as freelancer

[@mduff001]

Hi what about power pivot (best of both worlds)?

[@chandoo_]

Power Pivot & Power Query are common in both worlds. So learning them makes the transition EASY.

[@srinaths9549]

Chandoo Sir, thought on Thoughtspot vs BI

[@chandoo_]

Sorry but I am not familiar with Thougthspot.

[@matthewlim2008]

how about Tableau

[@proplayerpak619]

Sir can you please teach me power bi?

[@j.maginnenu6291]

So what are we "modeling", etc...with power BI???.

[@chandoo_]

Financial models, operational models, optimization problems, simulations, statistical models for a start.

[@user-qi9bl9hd9l]

I purchased chandoo Gantt charts, and asked a question about video manuals to them, but no responses received.

[@chandoo_]

Hi there.. Please reply back again. I may have missed your original email.

[@vv9730]

POWER BI QUERY IMPORTING ONLY 1ST PAGE NOT ALL PAGES FROM A TABLE WHILE IMPORTING WEBDATA..HOW TO SOLVE THIS..??. AL THOUGH THE QUERY IS NOT RESTRICTING IT BY PAGE NUMBER WISE..

[@eswar883]

What is education qualification.age limit to become data analyst.pliz.

[@chandoo_]

There is no one answer to this question. Most DA jobs expect graduation. Not sure if they will have specific age limits.

[@mrtransmogrify]

Now in 2023, there are still lots of users who don't know what does a cell formatted to "General" in Excel means or implies....

[@dhirajsinghchauhan4413]

Hi Chandoo , Please Help .... I have date format 02-03-2022 (want to change cell format date to text) 1. if i change manually by text to column, i get 02-03-2022 (DD-MM-YYYY) 2. If i use text to column by vba code, i get 2-3-2022 (D-M-YYYY) Please help, how to fix this.......

[@chandoo_]

Hi.. I am not sure what your question is. If your output date needs to formatted, you can apply format code dd-mm-yyyy and it will show up accordingly. You can also use FORMAT function in VBA to format the converted dates to TEXT with any format string.

[@syedmahiyan5839]

If someone is starting to learn data analytics. Which will you recommend excel or power bi?

[@chandoo_]

I thought that was clearly answered in the video.