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OFFICE SKILLS · FREE FOUNDATIONS COURSE

Excel & Spreadsheet Basics

Learn spreadsheet structure, formulas, totals and careful data handling. The practice grid uses familiar Excel-style formulas without requiring an Excel subscription.

4 lessonsPractice LabFinal assessmentCompletion certificate

0/4 lessons complete · Best assessment: 0% · Project pending

01 · Cells, rows and columnsOpen lesson
A learner reviews a spreadsheet’s rows and columns with a tutor.
Cells, rows and columns · Original lesson illustration

A cell is identified by column and row, such as B2. Store consistent types in each column and use headers that explain the content. Keep one record per row when organizing a simple table. Formatting helps readability but does not change the underlying meaning of a number or repair an incorrect value.

Worked example

An expense table has Date, Item and Amount columns, with each purchase on its own row.

Try it yourself

Design a three-column fictional expense table.

What does B2 identify?
02 · Formulas and referencesOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons
A worker checks which spreadsheet cells a calculation uses.
Formulas and references · Original lesson illustration

A formula begins with an equals sign. References connect the calculation to cell values, so changing an input can update the result. Relative references change when copied; an absolute reference such as $B$1 fixes its row and column. Check whether a formula is using the intended cells before relying on the output.

Worked example

If B1 is 10 and B2 is 20, =B1+B2 gives 30.

Try it yourself

Use the Spreadsheet Lab to change an input and inspect the total.

Which is a formula?
03 · SUM, AVERAGE and numeric checksOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons
Colleagues compare a spreadsheet total with supporting records.
SUM, AVERAGE and numeric checks · Original lesson illustration

SUM adds values in a range; AVERAGE calculates their arithmetic mean. A blank cell, a text entry and zero are not always treated identically. Read function behavior and check that numeric data is actually numeric. Compare a formula result with a quick estimate, especially when a copied range might omit a row.

Worked example

For 10, 20 and 30, SUM is 60 and AVERAGE is 20.

Try it yourself

Calculate both results for three fictional amounts.

The average of 10, 20 and 30 is?
04 · Sorting, errors and sharingOpen lessonLocked — complete previous lessons
Colleagues review a spreadsheet for errors before sharing it.
Sorting, errors and sharing · Original lesson illustration

Sort an entire table rather than separating one column from its records. Filters hide rows without deleting them. Review formulas, unusual values and hidden information before sharing. Keep a backup before major changes and use appropriate permissions. A spreadsheet can look tidy while containing formula errors or mismatched records.

Worked example

Sorting only the Amount column would detach amounts from their original Item rows.

Try it yourself

Finish your expense sheet and list two error checks.

How should a table be sorted?

Your completion certificate

All 4 lessons, project self-review and final assessment at 80% or higher.

Estimated study time: 2 hours. Includes reading, practice, projects and assessment; individual time varies.

Certificate locked — complete all requirements listed above. Existing progress is preserved.

About estimated study time

Lifehelper estimates time from lesson length, worked exercises, practice sessions, project work and assessments. Short foundation courses use approximately two hours; larger courses and multi-level programs use higher estimates. This is not a timer, accredited credit or verified attendance.

Documents completion of an independent Lifehelper course. Not a license, accredited qualification, or official professional certification. Estimated study time is a course estimate, not verified activity hours.