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Create a Retirement Planning Tool with Excel

In this project-based course you'll be developing a robust, interactive tool that brings together the power of Excel formulas, dynamic charts, user-driven input controls, and more!

3 Days

Average time students take to complete this course.

instructor
Taught by: Travis Cuzick
Last updated: December 2024

Overview

This isn't just any Excel practice project - it's a true portfolio project that teaches you how to build a robust, interactive tool that brings together your Excel skills into one comprehensive project!

What you'll learn

  • Gain the ability to create interactive, dynamic Excel tools that respond to user inputs through sliders and drop-down lists.
  • Deepen your understanding of Excel by mastering complex formulas and functions that drive sophisticated calculations.
  • Learn to craft and customize dynamic charts that visually represent data, updating instantly with changes in inputs.
  • Develop the skills to design a formula-driven calculation engine that operates seamlessly behind the scenes of your Excel tools.
  • Acquire foundational knowledge in retirement planning, including how to calculate savings goals and understand the impact of retirement age on savings.
  • Enhance your problem-solving skills as you navigate the challenges of transforming basic data into a comprehensive retirement planning tool.
  • Prepare for real-world scenarios with Excel skills applicable in data analysis, financial planning, and spreadsheet management roles.
  • Complete a portfolio-worthy project that demonstrates your advanced Excel skills and understanding of financial planning principles.

Why Is This Excel Project Awesome?

You'll build charts and other visual elements that instantaneously update as you smoothly change inputs with slider controls and drop-down lists, reflecting the impact of different retirement ages on your projected retirement savings.

But as an equally important part of the project, you'll also engineer a formula-driven calculation engine that - while unseen to the end user - forms the heartbeat of the tool.

This project isn't just a learning exercise...it's a demonstration of your prowess with Excel and an asset for your portfolio.

The skills you hone here have real-world applications, enhancing your employability in roles that require data analysis, financial planning, and spreadsheet management. So get ready for a journey that combines education with excitement and practicality, as you transform a starter file into a fully-fledged Retirement Planning Tool.

Wait... What's a Project?

One of the most common things we hear from students is: "I want to build more projects!"

We love hearing that, because building projects is really the best way to learn. And unique, challenging projects can really make your portfolio stand out for potential employers.

But also...it just feel so good when you actually build something real!

That's why we've created ZTM Projects. A collection of comprehensive portfolio and practice projects that you can use to advance your knowledge, learn new skills, build your portfolio, and sometimes even just have fun!

What Else Should I Know?

By becoming a ZTM member you'll not only get access to all our courses, bytes, and projects.

But you’ll also get to join our exclusive live online community classroom to learn alongside thousands of students, alumni, mentors, TAs and Instructors.

Most importantly, you'll be learning from an industry professional (Travis) that has actual real-world experience as a Data Solutions Engineer. He teaches you the exact strategies and techniques he uses in his role.

Finally, as with all ZTM courses, this course is a living thing. It will be constantly updated as the landscape changes so you can use it as your go-to resource for building Excel projects now and throughout your career.

Join 1,000s of Zero To Mastery graduates that have gotten hired and are now working at companies like Google, Tesla, Amazon, Apple, IBM, JP Morgan, Facebook, Shopify + other top tech companies.

They come from all different backgrounds, ages, and experiences. Many even started as complete beginners.

So there's no reason it can't be you too.

And you have nothing to lose. Because you can start learning right now and if this course isn't everything you expected, we'll refund you 100% within 30 days. No hassles and no questions asked.

When's the best time to get started? Today!

There's never a bad time to learn in-demand skills. But the sooner, the better. So start building this Excel project today by joining the ZTM Academy. You'll have a clear roadmap to developing the skills to build your own projects, get hired, and advance your career.

Join Zero To Mastery Now

Course curriculum

Here's an overview of what you'll learn in this Excel project.

Introduction

5 lectures

Time To Build!

41 lectures

Where To Go From Here?

1 lectures

Meet your instructor

Your instructor (Travis) isn't just an expert with years of real-world professional experience. He has been in your shoes. He makes learning fun. He makes complex topics feel simple. He will motivate you. He will push you. And he will go above and beyond to help you succeed.

Travis Cuzick

Hi, I'm Travis Cuzick!

Travis has been architecting and coding data solutions for well over a decade and for some of the biggest companies on the Fortune 500. Travis aims to make the learning process as efficient, intuitive, and fun (yes, fun!) for his students as possible.

SEE MY BIO & COURSES

Travis Cuzick

Data Solutions Engineer

Frequently asked questions

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

Required:

  • Intermediate knowledge of Excel. Don't have that? Take our Excel Bootcamp now!

Note: knowledge of VBA and Excel’s advanced tools (Power Query, DAX, etc.) is NOT required for this project (but you should take our VBA Programming and Advanced Excel Bootcamp courses to learn them anyways, because they're awesome in-demand skills that will really take you to the next level!)

Do you provide a certificate of completion?

We definitely do and they are quite nice. You will also be able to add Zero To Mastery Academy to the education section of your LinkedIn profile as well.

Are there subtitles?

Yes! We have high quality subtitles in 11 different languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Romanian, Arabic, Hindi, Portuguese, Indonesian, and Japanese.

You can even adjust the text size, color, background and more so that the subtitles are perfect just for you!

Still have more questions about the Academy?

Still have more questions specific to the Academy membership? No problem, we answer some more here.

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