Think Cell Course

Lesson 1 • Installing and Configuring Think-cell

Covers system requirements, installation steps, and license activation. Establishes the technical baseline every subsequent workflow depends on.

Lesson 2 • Creating Your First Chart

Guides students through inserting a simple bar chart end-to-end. Reinforces interface knowledge with immediate hands-on practice.

Lesson 3 • Exploring the Think-cell Interface

Introduces the ribbon toolbar, chart menu, and datasheet panel. Orients students to the workspace before any chart is built.

Lesson 1 • Using Difference Arrows and CAGRs

Introduces Think-cell's signature difference arrows and compound annual growth rate annotations. These elements distinguish Think-cell charts from native PowerPoint.

Lesson 2 • Formatting Series and Data Points

Covers color schemes, fill patterns, and individual segment overrides. Connects visual formatting to audience comprehension goals.

Lesson 3 • Adding and Styling Labels

Explains automatic label placement, manual repositioning, and number formatting. Labels are the primary vehicle for data communication.

Lesson 4 • Sorting and Filtering Chart Data

Demonstrates in-chart sorting controls and data filtering without altering the source. Keeps charts accurate when underlying data changes.

Lesson 1 • Creating Area and Combination Charts

Extends line charts into filled area and bar-line combination formats. Students choose the format that best encodes their data story.

Lesson 2 • Annotating Trends and Events

Covers text boxes, callout lines, and vertical event markers on line charts. Annotations transform raw trends into narrative-driven slides.

Lesson 3 • Configuring Axes and Scales

Teaches manual and automatic axis scaling, dual-axis setup, and date axis formatting. Correct axes prevent misleading visual impressions.

Lesson 1 • Designing Waterfall Charts

Explains the waterfall chart structure, subtotal columns, and connector lines. Waterfall charts are essential for financial bridge analysis.

Lesson 2 • Customizing Waterfall Segments

Covers positive, negative, and neutral segment styling and label positioning. Proper styling ensures audiences instantly read the direction of change.

Lesson 3 • Building Marimekko Charts

Introduces the Mekko chart for simultaneous size and composition analysis. Students encode two dimensions of data in a single visual.

Lesson 1 • Creating Scatter Charts

Covers X-Y data entry, axis labeling, and quadrant lines. Scatter charts reveal correlations invisible in bar or line formats.

Lesson 2 • Building Bubble Charts

Extends scatter charts with a third data dimension encoded as bubble size. Students communicate three variables simultaneously in one chart.

Lesson 3 • Combining Chart Types Strategically

Teaches when to overlay or juxtapose multiple chart types on one slide. Strategic combinations reduce slide count without sacrificing clarity.

Lesson 1 • Formatting Gantt Bars and Milestones

Teaches bar color, pattern, and label customization for activities and milestones. Visual differentiation helps audiences track parallel workstreams.

Lesson 2 • Setting Up a Gantt Chart

Covers date range configuration, activity rows, and milestone markers. Proper setup ensures the timeline renders accurately from the first entry.

Lesson 3 • Adding Dependencies and Annotations

Covers dependency arrows between activities and free-text annotations on the timeline. Dependencies communicate sequencing constraints to stakeholders.

Lesson 1 • Updating Charts from Excel

Covers manual refresh, automatic update on open, and partial update workflows. Reliable update routines eliminate manual copy-paste errors.

Lesson 2 • Troubleshooting Broken Links

Addresses missing file errors, range mismatch warnings, and link repair procedures. Students recover linked decks quickly when source files move or change.

Lesson 3 • Understanding the Excel Link Architecture

Explains how Think-cell's data links work, including file path dependencies and update triggers. A clear mental model prevents broken links in production.

Lesson 1 • Building Reusable Chart Templates

Explains saving chart styles as templates and applying them across slides and decks. Templates enforce brand standards and accelerate future work.

Lesson 2 • Automating Slide Layout with Think-cell

Teaches automatic text and chart resizing, layout locking, and multi-element alignment. Automation reduces manual pixel-pushing to near zero.

Lesson 3 • Quality-Checking a Full Deck

Introduces a systematic review process for data accuracy, formatting consistency, and link integrity. A structured QC routine prevents errors from reaching the audience.

Lesson 4 • Using Smart Text Boxes and Agendas

Covers Think-cell's auto-updating agenda slides and smart text boxes with dynamic numbering. These tools enforce structural consistency across long presentations.