Resources

The article defines standard error as the measure of how much a sample mean is expected to deviate from a population mean and explains its value for assessing dataset reliability. A detailed walkthrough demonstrates entering data, finding standard deviation and sample count, then applying the formula to return the standard error in one step.

A Capabilities-based Assessment (CBA) is a structured process that compares an organisation’s current skills, processes, and technologies with the capabilities it needs to achieve its strategy, highlighting critical gaps. The method involves mapping existing capabilities, rating their maturity against strategic targets, conducting gap analysis, and turning findings into an actionable road map. Widely applied in sectors from healthcare to education, CBAs enable data-driven decisions and targeted upskilling that translate directly into greater value.

Excel’s table formatting makes data easier to read and analyse, but you may need to remove it for a cleaner look, better compatibility, or a smaller file size. The guide also covers fixes for common hiccups, such as lingering visual styles and the Table Design tab appearing greyed out when no table cell is selected.

Microsoft Copilot operates within Microsoft 365’s compliance framework, using data minimisation, encryption, and role‑based access controls to safeguard information. Users can verify and adjust privacy settings - such as personalisation, conversation deletion, and opt‑outs from model training - across web, desktop, and mobile platforms. Тo stay secure, avoid entering sensitive data in prompts, use sensitivity labels, enforce MFA, and regularly review privacy updates and logs.

A Learning Needs Analysis (LNA) systematically pinpoints gaps between current workforce performance and the skills required to meet organisational goals, ensuring training is targeted rather than guesswork. By linking learning to strategic metrics, LNA cuts wasted spend, boosts ROI, and raises engagement while preventing costly mis‑targeted programmes. The article outlines a step‑by‑step process—define business objectives, analyse learner profiles, gather data across organisational, group and individual levels, and prioritise needs—supported by best‑practice tips and technology tools.

Mаnу businesses need first and last names in separate Excel columns for easier sorting, searching, and personalised communications. Excel’s Text to Columns feature lets you split names fast by selecting a space delimiter, while LEFT/RIGHT formulas achieve the same result with flexible cell references. Dragging these formulas down fills the entire list automatically, saving hours over manual copying.

The article explains that Excel’s percent-increase formula, =(new value - old value)/old value, instantly shows the percentage change between two numbers, saving time over manual calculations. It highlights business uses such as tracking sales growth, costs, inventory shifts and employee performance. A step-by-step walkthrough covers setting up a data table, entering the formula, converting decimals to percentages, and autofilling it down a column.

A cash-flow forecast template in Excel lets businesses track incoming and outgoing cash, spot shortfalls early, and plan investments confidently. The guide walks you through structuring rows for receipts and payments, columns for time periods, and using SUM-based formulas to automate totals and month-end balances.

Microsoft Copilot for Excel, a generative-AI assistant built into Microsoft 365, turns natural-language prompts into instant formulas, pivots, charts, and summaries - eliminating much of Excel’s manual grunt work. After enabling Copilot in a cloud-saved workbook, users simply describe tasks like highlighting duplicates, cleaning data, generating complex formulas, or visualising trends, and Copilot does the heavy lifting while explaining its logic. The article also offers step-by-step setup guidance and a list of ready-made prompts to help users go from “zero to hero” in productivity.