In this project-based course you'll be developing a robust, interactive tool that brings together the power of Excel formulas, dynamic charts, user-driven input controls, and more!
Create a Retirement Planning Tool with Excel
2h 51m 33s
English
Paid
This isn't just any Excel practice project - it's a true portfolio project that teaches you how to build a robust, interactive tool that brings together your Excel skills into one comprehensive project!
About the Author: Zero To Mastery
Zero To Mastery (ZTM) is a Toronto-based online coding academy founded by Andrei Neagoie, originally a senior developer at large Canadian tech firms before turning to teaching full-time. The academy's signature is the cohort-based bootcamp track combined with a deep self-paced course library, all aimed at career-changers and self-taught developers preparing to land software-engineering roles at top companies.
The instructor roster has grown well beyond Andrei to include other senior practitioners: Daniel Bourke (machine learning), Aleksa Tešić (DevOps), Jacinto Wong, and others. Courses cover the full software-engineering career path: web development with React and Next.js, Python, machine learning and deep learning, DevOps and cloud, system design, mobile, and the algorithm / data-structure interview prep that gates engineering jobs.
The CourseFlix listing under this source carries over 120 ZTM courses spanning that full range. Material is paid; ZTM itself runs on a monthly / annual membership model. The teaching style favours long-form, project-based courses where students build complete portfolio-quality applications rather than disconnected feature tutorials.
Watch Online 42 lessons
0:00
/ #1: Project Demo
All Course Lessons (42)
| # | Lesson Title | Duration | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project Demo Demo | 05:25 | |
| 2 | Introducing the Project Template | 02:48 | |
| 3 | Applying Number Formats | 02:54 | |
| 4 | Solution: Applying Number Formats | 02:06 | |
| 5 | Creating Drop Down Lists | 01:41 | |
| 6 | Solution: Creating Drop Down Lists | 03:38 | |
| 7 | Creating the Retirement Age Slider | 02:37 | |
| 8 | Solution: Creating the Retirement Age Slider | 04:25 | |
| 9 | Applying Cell Styles | 04:12 | |
| 10 | Solution: Applying Cell Styles | 03:09 | |
| 11 | Defining Names | 03:25 | |
| 12 | Solution: Defining Names | 03:43 | |
| 13 | Fetching the Investment Return | 03:44 | |
| 14 | Solution: Fetching the Investment Return | 05:23 | |
| 15 | Plan Year and Age | 03:35 | |
| 16 | Solution: Plan Year and Age | 02:11 | |
| 17 | Working Income | 03:30 | |
| 18 | Solution: Working Income | 03:39 | |
| 19 | Income Tax and Yearly Expenditures | 02:01 | |
| 20 | Solution: Income Tax and Yearly Expenditures | 02:51 | |
| 21 | Yearly Savings | 01:21 | |
| 22 | Solution: Yearly Savings | 02:33 | |
| 23 | Earned Interest and Retirement Savings Balance | 02:26 | |
| 24 | Solution: Earned Interest and Retirement Savings Balance | 02:25 | |
| 25 | Earned Interest and Retirement Savings Balance II | 04:22 | |
| 26 | Solution: Earned Interest and Retirement Savings Balance II | 05:07 | |
| 27 | Wrapping Up the Calculations Worksheet | 04:45 | |
| 28 | Solution: Wrapping Up the Calculations Worksheet | 05:41 | |
| 29 | Retirement Age and Years Calcs | 03:43 | |
| 30 | Solution: Retirement Age and Years Calcs | 02:50 | |
| 31 | The Banner Message | 05:32 | |
| 32 | Solution: The Banner Message | 04:24 | |
| 33 | The Retirement Balance Chart | 01:52 | |
| 34 | Solution: The Retirement Balance Chart | 04:57 | |
| 35 | Dynamic Charts with OFFSET I | 08:36 | |
| 36 | Dynamic Charts with OFFSET II | 14:29 | |
| 37 | Solution: Dynamic Charts with OFFSET | 08:44 | |
| 38 | Formatting the Retirement Balance Chart | 03:21 | |
| 39 | Solution: Formatting the Retirement Balance Chart | 03:32 | |
| 40 | The Detail Worksheet | 04:47 | |
| 41 | Solution: The Detail Worksheet | 08:08 | |
| 42 | The End (a.k.a. Retirement) | 01:01 |
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Frequently asked questions
What are the prerequisites for enrolling in this course?
The course is designed for individuals with a basic understanding of Excel. Familiarity with Excel formulas and functions will be beneficial. Prior experience with Excel's charting tools and input controls, such as drop-down lists and sliders, will also be helpful but not mandatory. The course progresses from fundamental concepts to more advanced topics, making it suitable for learners with varying levels of Excel proficiency.
What will I be able to build by the end of the course?
By the end of the course, you will have developed a fully functional retirement planning tool in Excel. This tool incorporates Excel formulas, dynamic charts, and user-driven input controls like drop-down lists and sliders. You'll be able to calculate investment returns, working income, yearly savings, and retirement savings balance. Additionally, you'll create interactive features such as dynamic retirement balance charts and banner messages.
Who is the target audience for this course?
The course is suitable for individuals interested in personal finance, financial planning, or enhancing their Excel skills. It's ideal for those who want to create personalized financial tools or are considering a career in financial analysis. The course caters to both beginners with foundational Excel skills and more advanced users looking to expand their capabilities in using Excel for financial projects.
How does the depth of this course compare to other Excel courses?
This course offers a project-based approach that focuses specifically on building a comprehensive retirement planning tool. Unlike general Excel courses that cover a broad range of topics, this course delves deeply into specific functionalities like dynamic charts, input controls, and financial calculations. It provides practical, hands-on experience in creating a real-world application, which may not be covered in introductory or general Excel courses.
What specific Excel tools or features will be covered in this course?
The course covers a variety of Excel tools and features, including number formats, drop-down lists, sliders, cell styles, and defined names. You'll also learn to use OFFSET for creating dynamic charts and work extensively with formulas to calculate investment returns, working income, and savings balances. The course emphasizes interactive and visual elements, such as creating and formatting retirement balance charts.
What topics or skills are not covered in this course?
The course does not cover advanced programming or scripting in Excel, such as VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). It also doesn't delve into non-Excel-based financial planning software or methodologies outside the scope of Excel's capabilities. Additionally, while the course focuses on building a retirement planning tool, it does not cover broader financial planning theories or concepts outside the practical application within the tool.
How much time should I expect to commit to this course?
The course consists of 42 lessons, and while the exact runtime is not specified, students should expect to dedicate several hours to complete the course. The project-based nature means additional time may be needed outside of watching lessons to practice and apply the concepts. The time commitment will vary based on individual learning pace and prior experience with Excel.