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Spreadsheet Basics

138-minute Data Analysis Course

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About this Course

A spreadsheet is an electronic document that arranges data in a table by using columns and rows. Among other things, spreadsheets let you store, manipulate, share and analyze data. They're used in business to help make complicated decisions like where to open a new restaurant location, where to build a wind farm, or where to expand a business' marketing efforts. Spreadsheets aren't just for business use either. A household expense spreadsheet can help you determine when you will be able to afford a new car or take your next trip.

In this course, you'll learn the basics of spreadsheets including the parts of a spreadsheet, spreadsheet vocabulary, how to import data, how to make complex calculations, how to reference data in different cells, and how to use spreadsheet functions. You'll also learn best practices for formatting spreadsheets, protecting your data, and more, all using Google Sheets, which is free and very similar to Excel. When you're done you'll have built an entire spreadsheet complete with data, complex functions and formulas and colorful and meaningful formatting.

What you'll learn

  • Spreadsheet concepts and vocabulary
  • Importing data into a spreadsheet
  • Using functions and formulas to analyze data
  • Formatting spreadsheets
  • Spreadsheet best practices

Getting Started With Spreadsheets

Get started with spreadsheets and learn how to add data, create basic calculations, determine averages, sort and filter information, and how to reference data inside individual spreadsheet cells.

Chevron 7 steps

Spreadsheet Functions & Shortcuts

Spreadsheet functions give you the power to perform complex calculations on data. You can use them to derive totals, count the number of records, round numbers up and down and add complex logic to process data in different ways depending on their values.

Chevron 10 steps

Spreadsheet Best Practices

Supercharge your spreadsheet use with best practices in formatting data, using templates, adding comments and notes, and using tabs to track inputs and outputs.

Chevron 6 steps

Build a Spreadsheet

Walk through the process of creating a spreadsheet from start to finish. Find and import data; format the spreadsheet; and use formulas and functions to give the data meaning.

Chevron 5 steps

Teacher

  • Michael Watson

    Michael Watson is the former CFO & COO of Treehouse. Before joining Treehouse he worked in private equity in Asia. He is a graduate of Tufts University and has an MBA from INSEAD. He loves sports and the great outdoors.

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