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Treehouse

Spreadsheet Basics Course (How To)

via Treehouse

Overview

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

Syllabus

Introducing Spreadsheets

What are spreadsheets? Why do we use them? And how can they help you make better data-driven decisions?

Chevron 5 steps
  • What is a spreadsheet?

    2:02

  • Choosing Spreadsheet Software

    2:39

  • Review Introducing Spreadsheets

    5 questions

  • Basic Spreadsheet Vocabulary

    5:37

  • Spreadsheet Vocabulary Review

    5 questions

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
  • Adding Data to A Spreadsheet

    2:18

  • Calculating Totals With SUM

    4:03

  • Calculating Averages and Median Values

    3:38

  • Review Spreadsheet Calculations

    5 questions

  • Sorting & Filtering

    6:39

  • Cell Referencing

    7:37

  • Getting Started With Spreadsheets Review

    8 questions

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
  • Introducing Functions

    4:24

  • The IF Function

    4:26

  • The COUNT Function

    1:02

  • The EDATE Function

    2:18

  • Review Formulas and Basic Functions

    7 questions

  • The SUMIF Function

    2:41

  • The CHOOSE Function

    2:37

  • The ROUNDDOWN & ROUNDUP Functions

    1:52

  • Keyboard Shortcuts

    8:06

  • Review More Spreadsheet Functions

    6 questions

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
  • Spreadsheet Formatting Best Practices

    3:59

  • Saving Spreadsheet Data

    1:33

  • Input and Output Tabs

    5:23

  • Spreadsheet Templates

    4:20

  • Comments and Notes

    4:14

  • Review Formatting Best Practices

    5 questions

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
  • Finding and Importing Data

    4:02

  • Formatting the Spreadsheet

    7:28

  • Adding Functions and Formulas

    8:06

  • Conclusion

    0:41

  • Review Spreadsheet Basics

    6 questions

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