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

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Excel Basics for Data Analysis
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Microsoft Excel, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Spreadsheet Software, Data Wrangling, Data Quality, Pivot Tables And Charts, Google Sheets, Data Manipulation, Data Science, Data Integrity, Information Privacy
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
10K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Getting Started with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Office, Data Entry, Microsoft 365
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
13K reviews
Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Microsoft 365 Essentials: Create, Collaborate, and Deliver
Skills you'll gain: Content Performance Analysis, Multimedia, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, Presentations, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office, Content Creation, Productivity Software, Collaborative Software, Generative AI, Data Analysis, Data Visualization, Business Communication
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
5.7K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
SkillUp
Get Started with Spreadsheet Applications: Excel
Skills you'll gain: Productivity Software, Collaborative Software, Microsoft Office, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Data Visualization, Excel Formulas, Data Entry, File Management, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 365, Data Management
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
155 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Productivity Software, Data Import/Export, Data Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Coursera Project Network
Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel
Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Data Analysis, Business Mathematics
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.4K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

What brings you to Coursera today?

Start my career

Change my career

Grow in my current role

Explore topics outside of work

Status: Free Trial
IBM
Data Visualization and Dashboards with Excel and Cognos
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Dashboard, IBM Cognos Analytics, Tree Maps, Scatter Plots, Data Analysis, Pivot Tables And Charts, Microsoft Excel, Histogram
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
4.3K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Google Cloud
Doing more with Google Sheets
Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Spreadsheet Software, Excel Formulas, Pivot Tables And Charts, Collaborative Software, Data Sharing, Data Presentation, Data Visualization, Data Visualization Software, Data Analysis, Data Import/Export, Data Management
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
1.4K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Macquarie University
Excel Skills for Business
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft Excel, Dashboard, Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Data Visualization, Excel Macros, Data Validation, Data Cleansing, Data Analysis Expressions (DAX), Data Modeling, Financial Forecasting, Data Management, Business Intelligence Software, Consolidation, Data Integrity, Data Entry, Business Reporting, Productivity Software, Financial Modeling, Loans
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
63K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Coursera Project Network
Introduction to Business Analysis Using Spreadsheets: Basics
Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Data Visualization, Spreadsheet Software, Data Presentation, Data Analysis, Data Visualization Software, Business Analytics, Productivity Software, Business Analysis, Data Manipulation, Descriptive Statistics, Analysis, Statistics, Excel Formulas, Data Cleansing, Mathematical Software
4.3
Rating, 4.3 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Google Cloud
Google Sheets
Skills you'll gain: Google Sheets, Google Workspace, Spreadsheet Software, Excel Formulas, Data Visualization, Version Control, Collaborative Software, Data Management, Data Analysis Software, Data Sharing, Data Import/Export
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
610 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models
Skills you'll gain: Regression Analysis, Spreadsheet Software, Google Sheets, Financial Modeling, Microsoft Excel, Data Modeling, Forecasting, Risk Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Business Modeling, Statistical Analysis, Simulation and Simulation Software, Process Improvement and Optimization
4.2
Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
3.9K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks