Automating Workflows from a SharePoint list with Power Automate

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This video explains how to automate notifications from a SharePoint list using Power Automate to improve awareness and responsiveness when new data is added. Robin demonstrates creating a flow from a prebuilt template that sends an email whenever a new list item is created, emphasizing how automation can be implemented without writing code.  #PowerAutomate #SharePoint…

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Visualizing SharePoint List Data in Excel for Dynamic Reporting

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This video demonstrates how to quickly visualize SharePoint list data using Power BI to validate whether early-stage data looks accurate and reasonable. Robin walks through integrating a SharePoint list directly into Power BI from the browser, highlighting how fast “quick and dirty” visualizations can surface potential data issues, such as unexpected spikes or dips in…

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Conversational Data Exploration in Power BI with Fabric and Copilot

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This video explores how Copilot in Power BI with Fabric can support fast, conversational data exploration to help teams gain insights and communicate value early. Robin demonstrates exporting SharePoint data into a Fabric workspace and using Copilot to ask natural-language questions about a simple safety dataset, such as identifying common patterns in near-miss reports. Rather…

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Turn Spreadsheets into Future Dashboard Designs

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Turn Spreadsheets into Future Dashboard Designs In this video, you’ll learn how to transform an existing Excel spreadsheet into the foundation of a dynamic, refreshable dashboard. Using a live SharePoint list as the data source, Robin demonstrates how to export data to Excel, refresh it in real time, and explore insights using Analyze Data, pivot…

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How to Create a Dataset in a Sharepoint List

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How to Create a Dataset in a Sharepoint List  Learn how to create structured datasets in SharePoint for better reporting. In this Data Survival Skills session, Robin shows how to build a Near Miss reporting list from scratch—turning safety requirements into a clean, organized data structure. Starting with key fields like Reporter, Event Date, Project…

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Designing User Interfaces for Data Entry into Your Solution

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Learn how to design user interfaces for better data entry. In this Data Survival Skills session, Robin shows how to translate data requirements into simple, effective UI mockups. Starting with a volunteer signup form, you’ll see how to think through fields, dropdowns, and workflows—even using basic tools like PowerPoint. The goal isn’t to make something…

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Using Pivot Column to Look at Text Data in a Pivot

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Discover how to turn messy text data into clear, powerful visuals in seconds. Pivot tables are powerful for counts and summaries—but they fall short when you need a true schedule. In this Data Survival Skills session, you’ll see how Excel’s Power Query Pivot Column can instantly transform your data for faster insights—and why this technique…

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Testing Data Entry in Data Designs

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Learn how to test your data before design problems get too big. In this Data Survival Skills session, Robin demonstrates how to use Power Query to connect and test datasets before moving forward with design. Using Explore California’s agenda and volunteer data, you’ll see how to merge queries, apply joins, and quickly spot inconsistencies—like volunteers…

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Designing basic forms for data entry into your solution

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Learn how to design smarter forms that keep your data clean and usable. In this Data Survival Skills session, Robin demonstrates how to build forms in Microsoft Access that guide data entry and protect against errors. Starting with an events database, you’ll see how to create forms that connect volunteers, events, and partners—even when no…

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Testing data in your new database design

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Learn how to strengthen your database design with testing and referential integrity. In this Data Survival Skills session, Robin shows why every database—no matter how small the budget—needs testing at each stage. Using a volunteer management system as the example, you’ll see how to set up relational tables for partners, events, and volunteers, and then…

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