What is a spreadsheet?

A spreadsheet is a sheet of paper or digital file that's divided into rows and columns that allows you to store and analyze data in an organized format. Paper spreadsheets allow you to physically enter data into the rows and columns, but you have to manage your own calculations. Computer spreadsheets can take care of the calculations for you, but you have to enter the formulas into the spreadsheet. Popular computer and web-based spreadsheet applications include Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, and Google Sheets.

Why is it important to learn about spreadsheets?

Spreadsheets are useful tools in the business world, and many companies rely on them, and even if you don't use numbers or formulas, spreadsheets come in handy if you're making charts and organizing information. Spreadsheets are helpful for organizing data of any kind, so it's worth your time to gain familiarity with how to use them. If you work with numbers—from complex formulas to simple budgeting—learning how to use spreadsheets will help you become more productive at work and at home.

How does knowing about spreadsheets affect my career?

There was a time when spreadsheets were only common in the financial sector, but because they're so versatile, they're increasingly prevalent everywhere. If you have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, you can make good use of them in your workplace. If you can gain a deeper knowledge of how spreadsheets work, you'll possess a skill that can make you more productive in your career or help you advance in your career. Some employers look for candidates with extensive spreadsheet knowledge when they're hiring or promoting employees, so the more you know about using spreadsheets, the more value you have as an employee.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn spreadsheets?

Taking online courses on Coursera can help you learn the various features and formulas of spreadsheets at a pace and schedule that fits your needs. The courses are led by some of the best instructors in the academic and business world, from organizations like IBM and the University of Pennsylvania. You can be confident that whether you're learning the basics or gaining more advanced knowledge, you won't only know about how spreadsheets work, but you can apply that knowledge with ease.

What are the benefits of taking an online Spreadsheet course?

Online Spreadsheet courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Spreadsheet skills. Choose from a wide range of Spreadsheet courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Spreadsheet courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Spreadsheet, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Spreadsheet Courses - Learn Spreadsheet Online

Explore the Spreadsheet Course Catalog

University of Michigan
Foundational Finance for Strategic Decision Making
Skills you'll gain: Market Data, Loans, Finance, Microsoft Excel, General Finance, Corporate Finance, Mortgage Loans, Financial Analysis, Equities, Investments, Financial Market, Business Valuation, Investment Management, Capital Budgeting, Capital Markets, Financial Modeling, Financial Management, Business Mathematics, Financial Planning, Cash Flows
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.3K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Duke University
Mastering Data Analysis in Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Probability Distribution, Business Risk Management, Predictive Modeling, Regression Analysis, Risk Modeling, Business Analytics, Statistical Methods, Forecasting, Data Analysis, Probability, Financial Modeling, Classification And Regression Tree (CART)
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Duke University
Business Metrics for Data-Driven Companies
Skills you'll gain: Business Analytics, Business Metrics, Analytics, Business Process Improvement, Business Intelligence, Tableau Software, Data Analysis, Big Data, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Spreadsheet Software, Web Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Business Strategy, Digital Transformation, E-Commerce, Financial Services, SQL
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
8.4K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Excel/VBA for Creative Problem Solving, Part 1
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Programming Principles, Visual Basic (Programming Language), Data Structures, Program Development, Computer Programming, Spreadsheet Software, Automation, Algorithms, Debugging, Data Management, Data Cleansing
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of California, Santa Cruz
Bayesian Statistics: From Concept to Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Inference, Data Analysis, Probability, Statistical Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Microsoft Excel, Probability Distribution, R Programming, Regression Analysis
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
3.2K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free
Coursera Instructor Network
Microsoft Excel VBA and Macros
Skills you'll gain: Excel Macros, Microsoft Excel, Data Manipulation, Visual Basic (Programming Language), Data Analysis, Productivity Software, Automation, Strategic Decision-Making
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
169 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Illinois Tech
Mastering Excel Essentials to Enhance Business Value
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Data Visualization, Data Management, Spreadsheet Software, Data Entry, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Business Analytics, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Productivity Software, Financial Modeling, Decision Making, Business Modeling, Data Validation
Build toward a degree
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
24 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Meta
Data Analysis with Spreadsheets and SQL
Skills you'll gain: Data Visualization Software, Spreadsheet Software, Correlation Analysis, Google Sheets, Pivot Tables And Charts, Dashboard, Data Analysis, Data Storytelling, Tableau Software, Descriptive Statistics, Data Cleansing, Exploratory Data Analysis, Data Manipulation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Statistical Analysis, SQL
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
225 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Everyday Excel
Skills you'll gain: Data Import/Export, Microsoft Excel, Regression Analysis, Data Validation, Data Visualization, Depreciation, Data Management, Excel Macros, Excel Formulas, Statistical Modeling, Financial Analysis, Cash Flows, Predictive Modeling, Financial Modeling, Analysis, Microsoft Word, Business Mathematics, Mathematical Modeling, Complex Problem Solving, Financial Forecasting
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Build a mobile app with Google Sheets on Glide and no coding
Skills you'll gain: Mobile Development, Google Sheets, Application Development, Cloud Applications, Application Deployment, Data Structures, User Accounts, Personalized Service, User Interface (UI) Design
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
667 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free
Coursera Project Network
Create a Project Management Tracker using Google Sheets
Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Collaborative Software, Productivity Software, Organizational Skills, Spreadsheet Software, Project Management Software, Project Coordination, Small Business Accounting, Data Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
273 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Coursera Project Network
ChatGPT for Beginners: Save time with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, ChatGPT, Excel Formulas, Text Mining, Data Cleansing, Data Manipulation, Data Analysis Software, Unstructured Data, Generative AI, Prompt Engineering
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
295 reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours