Data Handling & Spreadsheets

This module develops practical spreadsheet skills for data entry, analysis and visualisation using Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets. Students learn essential formulas, lookup functions, pivot tables and charting techniques. The course also covers data cleaning, validation and the use of absolute and relative references. Learners finish able to build a small analytical workbook that answers real research questions.

Learning Outcomes

Enter, format and validate data in a structured worksheet.

Construct formulas using arithmetic, comparison and logical operators.

Apply lookup functions such as VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP and INDEX/MATCH.

Summarise data using SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS and pivot tables.

Build appropriate charts to communicate findings clearly.

Distinguish between absolute, relative and mixed cell references.

Clean raw datasets using text functions, find-and-replace and Power Query.

Filter, sort and conditionally format data for exploratory analysis.

Topics Covered

Spreadsheet anatomy: workbooks, sheets, cells and ranges

Data types and number formatting

Formulas and the order of operations

Absolute, relative and mixed cell references

Logical functions (IF, AND, OR, IFS)

Aggregation (SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT)

Conditional aggregation (SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS)

Lookup functions (VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH)

Text functions (LEFT, RIGHT, MID, TRIM, CONCAT, TEXTSPLIT)

Date and time functions

Sorting, filtering and conditional formatting

Data validation and dropdown lists

Pivot tables and pivot charts

Charts and dashboards

Data cleaning with Power Query

Skills Developed

Designing well-structured spreadsheets Writing robust formulas Performing lookups across tables Summarising data with pivot tables Creating effective charts Cleaning and validating messy data Automating repetitive tasks Collaborating in shared workbooks

Suggested Resources

{'title': 'Microsoft Excel Help & Learning', 'author': 'Microsoft', 'source': 'support.microsoft.com/excel'}

{'title': 'Google Sheets Training', 'author': 'Google Workspace', 'source': 'support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282959'}

{'title': 'Excel Exposure Free Online Course', 'author': 'Ben Currier', 'source': 'excelexposure.com'}

{'title': 'ExcelJet Formula Reference', 'author': 'Dave Bruns', 'source': 'exceljet.net'}

{'title': 'Data Analysis in Excel', 'author': 'Chandoo', 'source': 'chandoo.org'}

{'title': 'Introduction to Data Studio (Looker)', 'author': 'Google', 'source': 'support.google.com/looker-studio'}

{'title': 'Open Data for All', 'author': 'UK Office for National Statistics', 'source': 'ons.gov.uk'}

Assessment

Assessment combines weekly workbook exercises, a data-cleaning task, a dashboard project using real-world data, and a final multiple-choice test.

weekly_exercises25%

data_cleaning_task25%

dashboard_project25%

final_mcq_test25%

Practice bank: 200 MCQs · Timed mock & self-paced modes

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