How to improve Powerpoint and Excel skills - and the correct hardware devices to use for IB fresher

Hello guys,

I recently joined as an investment banking analyst and would appreciate if you can answer the following queries - 

1. I am currently using the HP Envy laptop with a Logitech MX Master 3 wireless mouse. The keyboard does not have a separate number pad but i seem to be comfortable with it. Should i continue with it or use a separate keyboard for speed.

2. PowerPoint - although I am able to get the desired slides in a PPT, it takes me too much time sometimes. How do i increase my speed. Especially in minor formatting changes 

3. Excel - how can I become a pro at excel. Any list of functions and formulas I should know which can help me? I seem to know most of the basic formulas and functions but seem to face some issues with advanced pivots 

4. Extras - anything else I could do to improve my productivity and reduce my time? Anything to manage Outlook and the files would be really appreciated.

5 Comments
 

If you aren't having problems without a numpad, you are clearly painfully slow. Get a full size keyboard and take classes. WallStreetPrep has a good PPT one. Doesn't your bank provide this stuff?

 

its a very long process for getting the desired keyboard. i have a good laptop and am comfortable with the one without the numb pad. However, kindly let me know if i should buy one with the numb pad and is it the industry norm to use such keyboards? or normal laptops (which include the keyboards without the numb pad ) are used in the industry?

 

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