To become a data analyst, learn Excel for analysis, basic statistics, SQL for querying databases, a dashboard tool such as Power BI or Tableau, and optionally Python. Build three to five portfolio projects that answer real business questions, practise explaining insights clearly, and apply for junior analyst roles or internships. Many people get there in six to twelve months.
What data analysts do
Data analysts turn raw data into answers that help organisations make decisions: why sales dropped, which marketing channel works best, which students need support. The job is part technical, part detective and part storyteller.
Step 1: Excel (months 1 to 2)
Formulas, lookups, PivotTables, charts, data cleaning and Power Query. Excel is still everywhere. See Excel skills employers want.
Step 2: Statistics basics (alongside)
Averages, distributions, variation, correlation versus causation, sampling and simple hypothesis testing. See statistics for data science.
Step 3: SQL (months 2 to 3)
Selecting, filtering, aggregating and joining data. Most analyst job descriptions require SQL. See SQL for beginners.
Step 4: Dashboards (months 3 to 4)
Power BI or Tableau: data models, measures, interactive dashboards. See Power BI for beginners.
Step 5: Python (months 4 to 6, optional but valuable)
pandas for cleaning and analysis, and plotting libraries for charts. Python opens the door to more advanced analysis and data science.
Step 6: Communication
Learn to write a clear insight: what happened, why it matters, what to do next. Practise data visualisation principles.
Step 7: Portfolio projects
| Project | Shows |
|---|---|
| Sales dashboard | Power BI, business metrics |
| SQL case study | Querying and joins |
| Survey analysis | Cleaning messy data, statistics |
| Public dataset story | Curiosity and communication |
Step 8: Apply
Target junior analyst, reporting analyst, business intelligence and operations analyst roles. Tailor your CV to show tools and projects. Internships are excellent starting points.
Where AI fits
AI assistants now help analysts write formulas and SQL, summarise results and draft reports. The analyst's value is in asking the right questions, checking data quality and judging what the numbers really mean. Our data analytics course teaches both the tools and this judgement.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree to become a data analyst?
Many employers prefer degrees, but strong skills and projects can open doors, especially in smaller companies and freelancing.
Is data analytics good for commerce and accounting students?
Very. Business knowledge plus data skills is a strong combination.
Is Python required?
Not for every analyst role, but it increasingly helps.
