Assignment 2

Due date: See e-learning

Introduction
U.S. Census data (Assignment2.xlsx) shows that 100 counties had enjoyed the largest population growth
between 2010 and 2014. You work for Acme Inc., which is actively planning to expand its sales to new
regions. It is natural to select a few top states that had the largest above-average growth. Which ones
do you recommend? (Dont forget that there are multiple counties of a state listed in this top 100 list.)
Download Assignment2.xlsx for the assignment. Follow the instructions below carefully.

Instructions
(1) Data Preparation
1. The first task is to apply the text manipulation skills from CH5 to break up column B into County
and State. Insert three columns after column B and follow the instructions below:
a. Column C: use the FIND() function to find the location of comma in column B.
b. Column D: use LEFT() and other functions to extract only county name from column B.
Make sure (a) the function(s) reference column C, and (b) there is no leading and trailing
space in the result.
c. Column E: use RIGHT () and other functions to extract only state name from column B.
Make sure (a) the function(s) reference column C, and (b) there is no leading and trailing
space in the result.
d. The result should look like the following. Again, dont just type the data in columns C,D and E. Use
functions mentioned in the above steps instead. Note that all column headings should be in the
same row for the PivotTable in the next section.

2. Column H: calculate the population growth between 2010 and 2014.

3. Column I: use IF statement to determine the growth in column H is above or below average of
column H. If it is equal to the average, put it in the below average category.
4. The result at this point should look like the following.

(2) PivotTable Analysis

1. Create a pivot table that looks like the following. Name the tab PivotTable.

2. Sort by Average of Growth in descending order so that the state with the largest average
population growth is at the top.

(3) Analysis
1. Create a new worksheet called Analysis. Answer the following questions. Type the question and
put your answer below it. Make sure you cite numbers from the PivotTable to support your
answer. This must be done to receive points.
2. Q1: If you are asked to pick two states that had (a) the largest average population growth, and
(b) the largest number of counties on this top 100 list, which states would you recommend?
Explain your reason in detail. Provide a screenshot of your pivot table to help illustrate your
reason.
3. Q2: Since Acme, Inc. is a supermarket chain store, one good strategy is to expand its territory
into the states near its home state - Illinois. This could reduce the cost of transportation.
Recommend two states from this top 100 list (no matter they are in the Above Average or Below
Average category). Explain your reason in detail.
a. Note: In order to answer this question, you will reshape the pivot table by removing
the Above Average? column from the pivot table and sorting the result by Average of
Growth in descending order. Provide a screenshot of your final pivot table to help
illustrate your reason.

Submission
1. Submit the finished work (Assignment2.xlsx) to e-learning.