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Retrieve & Prep Data

This course is part of People Data Foundations: Metrics & Visualization Specialization

Instructors: Ritesh Vajariya

Included with

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2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

2 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Use data storage format knowledge to identify import issues.
Apply correct import settings in Excel.
Analyze data quality using a systematic cleaning checklist.

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

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Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the People Data Foundations: Metrics & Visualization Specialization

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 2 modules in this course

Your CSV import failed. The columns are wrong. Dates look like numbers. Sound familiar? You'll use your knowledge of the two data formats that power people analytics—CSV files and SQL tables—and apply that understanding to prevent downstream disasters. You'll practice importing CSV files into Excel with the right delimiter, encoding, and type-detection settings, so your data loads correctly the first time. You'll then analyze your imported data using a systematic cleaning checklist to identify hidden columns, verify row counts against the source, and save validated files. Using AI tools like ChatGPT, you'll document your cleaning steps and practice verifying that AI-generated summaries match your actual data. Through realistic role plays where you troubleshoot messy HRIS exports and explain your process to an auditor, and coach dialogues where you navigate sensitive data decisions, you'll build the data preparation habits that separate reliable analysis from guesswork. Designed for HR professionals and aspiring people analysts. Basic spreadsheet familiarity helpful. Access to free ChatGPT or Claude recommended.

Module details

In this module, you'll use your understanding of data storage formats to select the right approach for each task. Through a discovery role play, you'll confront a 'broken' CSV that won't import correctly—and apply troubleshooting techniques to identify that the problem is usually format settings, not data. Then you'll master the two formats you'll use everywhere in people analytics: CSV files and SQL tables.

What's included

4 videos1 reading

In this module, you'll apply cleaning techniques and analyze data quality before finalizing your dataset. You'll use a systematic checklist to identify hidden columns, empty rows, and formatting issues—then document your cleaning steps for stakeholders. Through realistic scenarios, you'll practice the critical skill of verifying that 'looks clean' actually means 'is clean'.