INTELLIGENCE
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How to Use Gemini in Google Sheets for Data Analysis
Gemini AI in Google Sheets lets analysts run conversational data analysis without writing code. Available through Google Workspace Business Standard or Google One AI Premium, it provides a side panel for natural language queries, formula generation from plain English descriptions, and pattern-based data cleaning through Smart Fill. Enabling it requires a qualifying subscription and, for Workspace accounts, admin activation. Once enabled, you select a data range and ask questions directly in the sidebar.
How to Set Up Apache Superset for Analytics
Apache Superset is a free, open-source business intelligence platform that lets teams connect databases, build charts, and publish shared dashboards without a Tableau or Power BI subscription. It supports over 40 chart types and connects to more than 40 databases including PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery, and Snowflake. Setup using Docker Compose takes under 15 minutes. Airbnb built it internally in 2015 and donated it to the Apache Software Foundation in 2017.
How to Set Up Metabase for Business Analytics
Metabase is an open-source business intelligence tool that lets any team member query databases and build dashboards without writing SQL. You can deploy it in under 15 minutes using Docker or sign up for Metabase Cloud. Once connected to a database, you create saved queries called questions, combine them into interactive dashboards, and share reports via link, email subscription, or Slack.
How to Get Started with ThoughtSpot AI Analytics
ThoughtSpot is an AI-powered analytics platform that lets business users query live cloud data warehouses using plain English questions, without writing SQL or pre-building dashboards. It connects to Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, and other major warehouses, and includes Spotter, an AI reasoning engine that explains why data patterns occur. Organizations can set up a working dashboard in under two hours using the 30-day free trial.
How to Set Up Copilot in Excel for Data Analysis
Copilot in Excel is Microsoft's AI assistant for spreadsheet analysis, available to Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers. To use it, your workbook must be saved as .xlsx or .xlsm format, data must be in a structured table, and the file must be stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Once set up, Copilot can generate charts, write formulas, and summarize trends. With Agent mode, introduced in January 2026, it can actively edit your spreadsheet while explaining each step.
How to Analyze Multiple CSV Files with DuckDB
DuckDB is a free, in-process analytical database that runs SQL queries directly against CSV files from the command line. No server, no Python environment, and no database schema are required. You can combine multiple monthly export files with a single glob pattern, join related CSV tables, handle malformed rows, and export clean results to a new file. For analysts who work with downloaded exports from business tools, DuckDB replaces manual spreadsheet work and fragile scripts with repeatable SQL queries.
How to Query Business Data with Plain English
Text-to-SQL tools let you ask questions about your business data in plain English and get accurate database queries back without writing a single line of SQL. In 2026, leading tools including Vanna.ai, SQLAI.ai, and SQL Chat achieve 85 to 95 percent accuracy on standard queries and connect directly to databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, and BigQuery. Analysts report cutting query time by 60 percent after adopting these tools.
How to Set Up Looker Studio for Business Reporting
Looker Studio is a free Google tool that converts spreadsheets and databases into shareable, interactive dashboards without writing code. Connect a Google Sheet, drag on chart types, and share a live link that updates automatically. Setup takes under 30 minutes for a first working report. The platform queries your data live on every load, so stakeholders always see current numbers without a manual refresh step.
How to Clean Messy Data with OpenRefine
OpenRefine is a free, open-source desktop application that lets analysts clean and standardize messy datasets without writing code. You download and install it on your computer, import a spreadsheet or CSV, then use its faceting, clustering, and transformation tools to fix inconsistencies, remove duplicates, and standardize values. Data never leaves your machine. Setup takes about five minutes, and most cleaning tasks are completed through menus and point-and-click operations.