Excel skills - one year later

What is your experience when it comes to improving the speed and accuracy of excel modeling? One year after starting as a BB analyst, I find that my excel skills still leave much to be desired. I am:

(a) not as quick in excel modeling as I would like to be;

(b) I still have difficulty setting up complicated models in a easy-to-understand and client-ready format. It usually started out fine, but once the MD/VP adds scenarios and introduces complications into the model, that's when things start going haywire.

To other experienced analysts out there, can you please share your experience with me on how you go about improving your excel skills?

3 Comments
 

I feel like a lot of my improvement has come in just looking how past models have been built, then rebuilding them myself. Layout is something that I think is hard to get without seeing a few models and basically following the pattern. Once you pick up on it though, it becomes more natural / easy to build a more complicated model.

 

A. Speed - Disconnect your mouse. (Seriously.)

B. Proper Setup - Two things, understand the model better and continually try to improve it. This comes with modeling experience. Basically, create more models.

 

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