How to become a Data Analyst
Turn raw data into clear answers and dashboards. Learn Excel, SQL, Power BI and analytics for data roles.
01The role
What does a Data Analyst do?
A data analyst collects, cleans and studies data to answer business questions such as which products sell best, why customers leave or where costs are rising. They pull data with SQL, tidy it in Excel or Python, look for patterns and present findings through charts and dashboards in tools like Power BI. The goal is simple: help managers make decisions based on facts rather than guesses.
Almost every sector now employs analysts, including IT services, banks, retail, e-commerce, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics. Many analytics roles are in Chennai and Bengaluru, and remote options exist. Analysts do not need a computer science degree; commerce, science and engineering graduates succeed when they combine strong Excel and SQL with clear communication. It is also a natural next step for MIS executives and accountants who already work with numbers.
A typical day
- Understand business questions from managers
- Extract data from databases using SQL
- Clean and prepare data in Excel or Python
- Analyse trends, comparisons and key metrics
- Build dashboards and reports in Power BI
- Present insights and recommendations to stakeholders
Skills you need
- Advanced Excel: formulas, pivots, lookups
- SQL queries and joins
- Power BI dashboards and DAX basics
- Data cleaning and preparation
- Descriptive statistics
- Python basics for analysis
- Data visualisation principles
- Business communication
Who can become one
02Learning path
The courses to take, in order
Start with the first course; add the next when you are ready. Each links to its full syllabus.
Advanced Excel Course
Work faster in Excel with lookups, pivot tables, validation, what-if tools and macros that take the repetition out of reports. 1 level · 24 h
SQL Course
Learn SQL on Microsoft SQL Server to create databases, store and update data, and write queries and joins that answer real business questions. 1 level · 50 h
Power BI Course
Turn raw Excel sheets and database tables into clean, interactive Power BI dashboards that managers actually use. 3 levels · 30–60 h
Data Analytics Course
Turn raw Excel, database and cloud data into clear Tableau charts, maps and dashboards that help people make decisions. 1 level · 40 h
Python Course
Learn to write real Python programs – from variables and loops to OOP, databases, GUIs and web apps – with hands-on projects. 3 levels · 50–120 h
Advanced Excel Course
Work faster in Excel with lookups, pivot tables, validation, what-if tools and macros that take the repetition out of reports.
SQL Course
Learn SQL on Microsoft SQL Server to create databases, store and update data, and write queries and joins that answer real business questions.
Power BI Course
Turn raw Excel sheets and database tables into clean, interactive Power BI dashboards that managers actually use.
03Pay
Salary for a Data Analyst
Indicative ranges for 2025–26 only. Actual pay varies by company, city, skills and experience; Tier-2 cities like Vellore usually start at the lower end, metros such as Chennai and Bengaluru at the higher end. Figures in lakh per annum (LPA).
Industries
Companies that employ this role
Examples of well-known companies and sectors in India that use these skills. They are not CareerKraft partners or recruiters.
04Growth
Your career ladder
Junior Data Analyst
Prepares reports and cleans data under guidance.
Data Analyst
Owns analyses and dashboards for a business area.
Senior Data Analyst
Leads complex analyses and advises managers.
Analytics Lead
Leads an analytics team and sets reporting standards.
Analytics Manager
Owns analytics strategy for a function or company.
Start your path to Data Analyst
The counsellor maps the course order, batch timings and fee for you on WhatsApp.
05FAQ
Data Analyst – FAQ
Still have a question? The counsellor at the centre you prefer replies on WhatsApp.
Ask on WhatsAppCan commerce graduates become data analysts?
Yes. Commerce graduates understand business numbers well, and Excel, SQL and Power BI skills make them strong analysts.
Do I need coding for data analysis?
SQL is essential. Python helps for larger or repeated analysis but many roles focus on Excel, SQL and Power BI.
What is Power BI?
It is Microsoft's tool for building interactive dashboards and reports from many data sources.
How is a data analyst different from a data scientist?
Analysts explain what happened and why. Data scientists build predictive models using statistics and machine learning.
What projects should I show?
A sales dashboard in Power BI, an SQL analysis of a public dataset and an Excel report with pivots make a strong portfolio.
Where can I train to become a Data Analyst near Vellore?
CareerKraft teaches Advanced Excel, SQL, Power BI and related courses at its Katpadi, Vellore and Ranipet centres, in classroom, online or hybrid mode. Message your chosen centre on WhatsApp and the counsellor will share the current fee, offers and EMI options.
Start today
Get the Advanced Excel syllabus, fees & batch dates
Fill this in and WhatsApp opens with your details, addressed to the centre you choose. The counsellor replies with the full syllabus, current fee, offers and the next batch.
- Free counselling and demo class
- Real projects and placement support
- Classroom, online or hybrid batches
- Replies Mon–Sat 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM · Sun 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM