Introduction to Spreadsheets

Course Duration: 1 hour

Course Summary

“Introduction to Spreadsheets” is a one-hour introductory course that guides participants through the fundamental concepts and functionalities of spreadsheet tools. The course covers basics such as data entry and formatting, explores key spreadsheet functions and formulas, and introduces data visualization with charts and graphs. Learners will also be exposed to more advanced features, including data organization techniques and an introduction to pivot tables. This course serves as a solid starting point for anyone looking to enhance their spreadsheet skills for personal or professional use.

Course Curriculum

1. Welcome and Introduction (5 minutes)

  • Give an overview of the course

  • Discuss the importance and applications of spreadsheets in various fields

  • Highlight all learning objectives

2. Understanding Spreadsheets (10 minutes)

  • Discuss what a spreadsheet is, its definition, and key terms

  • Give an overview of a spreadsheet layout: cells, rows, columns, and ranges

  • Cover a few of the common spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and others

3. Basic Spreadsheet Functions (15 minutes)

  • Discuss what data entry entails: entering text, numbers, and dates

  • Cover all basic calculations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

  • Discuss formulas and functions: sum, average, max, min

4. Formatting in Spreadsheets (10 minutes)

  • Show how to adjust row height and column width

  • Cover cell formatting: font, size, bold, italic, underline, colors

  • Discuss number formatting: decimals, percentage, currency, date, time

5. Introduction to Charts and Graphs (10 minutes)

  • Cover the importance of data visualization

  • Highlight how to create basic charts: bar chart, line chart, pie chart

  • Explore how to customize charts: titles, labels, legends, colors

6. Data Organization and Analysis (5 minutes)

  • Show how to sort and filter data

  • Introduce pivot tables

7. Wrap-up and Next Steps (5 minutes)

  • Give a short review of the key takeaways from this course

  • Discuss the importance of practice when it comes to mastering spreadsheets

  • Initiate Q&A and course feedback