Excel Basics for Data Analysis By IBM Course Syllabus
Full curriculum breakdown — modules, lessons, estimated time, and outcomes.
Overview: This beginner-friendly course from IBM provides a comprehensive introduction to using Excel for data analysis. Over approximately 11 hours, learners will progress through foundational topics including spreadsheet navigation, data entry, cleaning, and analysis techniques. The course features hands-on labs and practical exercises designed to build confidence and proficiency. With lifetime access and a certificate of completion, this course is ideal for aspiring data professionals seeking essential spreadsheet skills applicable across industries.
Module 1: Introduction to Data Analysis Using Spreadsheets
Estimated time: 1 hours
- Introduction to spreadsheet applications
- Overview of the Excel interface
- Navigating worksheets and workbooks
Module 2: Getting Started with Using Excel Spreadsheets
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Viewing, entering, and editing data
- Copying, filling, and formatting cells
- Understanding the basics of formulas
- Introduction to functions in Excel
Module 3: Cleaning & Wrangling Data Using Spreadsheets
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Importing file data into Excel
- Assessing and improving data quality
- Removing duplicate entries
- Dealing with inconsistencies and cleaning data
Module 4: Analyzing Data Using Spreadsheets
Estimated time: 2 hours
- Filtering and sorting data in Excel
- Using VLOOKUP function for data retrieval
- Using HLOOKUP function for horizontal lookups
- Creating and interpreting pivot tables
Module 5: Final Project
Estimated time: 4 hours
- Applying data cleaning techniques to a real-world dataset
- Performing data analysis using filters, lookups, and pivot tables
- Submitting a peer-reviewed final assignment
Prerequisites
- No prior experience with Excel required
- Basic computer literacy
- Access to Microsoft Excel (any recent version)
What You'll Be Able to Do After
- Confidently navigate Excel workbooks and worksheets
- Enter, edit, and format data effectively
- Use formulas and functions for basic calculations
- Clean and prepare datasets for analysis
- Analyze data using filters, lookups, and pivot tables