Library Guides: Tools for Using Spreadsheets: Home

Need troubleshooting help? Can't remember the formula? Want to have a single place for all of your data?

You've come to the right place. This guide is a starting point for understanding how to use spreadsheets and will lay the groundwork for effective spreadsheet usage in college and beyond.

In addition to the resources listed here, the library provides free access to computer classes, including many on Excel, through the LearningExpress Library. After navigating to the site using the link below you will need to create an account. This account will ensure your progress is saved and you will be able to start or stop courses as needed.

LearningExpress Library This link opens in a new window
LearningExpress Library supports those looking reach their academic, career, and personal educational goals. Find study aids and tutorials on grammar and writing, math, science, career exams, and much more.
Contents: ebooks, practice tests, tutorials, videos
Note: You will need to create an account to keep track of your learning progress. To make an account, click on Sign In/Register.

Microsoft Excel Demo

This video from Technology for Teachers and Students, shows a basic overview of Microsoft Excel and the different options for a spreadsheet.

Analyze Spreadsheet Data

A PivotTable is a feature that allows users to summarize and analyze data by rearranging it. In essence a PivotTable is a dynamic filter that can group, sort, and calculate data from a table without modifying the original data source. PivotTables are useful for revealing patterns, trends, and insights in large datasets.

Create a PivotTable in Excel
A PivotTable is a powerful tool to calculate, summarize, and analyze data that lets you see comparisons, patterns, and trends in your data. PivotTables work a little bit differently depending on what platform you are using to run Excel.
Pivot Tables in Sheets
You can use pivot tables to narrow a large data set and see the relationships between data points.
Create a Pivot Table in Numbers on Mac
You can create a pivot table to organize, group, and summarize data from another table; the data in the other table is your source data.

Google Sheets Demo

This video from Insider Tech shows a basic overview of Google Sheets and the different options for a spreadsheet.

Help Pages

Microsoft Excel Support Page
Offers information on templates, analyzing data, and formulas.
Google Sheets Support Page
Offers quick start guides, cheat sheets, troubleshooting, formulas, and more.
Apple Numbers Support Page
Offers formulas, templates, and user guides.

Apple Numbers Demo

This video from Apple 1 to 1 Training, shows a basic overview of Apple Numbers and the different options for a spreadsheet.

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Library eBooks

Excel 101: A Beginner's & Intermediate's Guide for Mastering the Quintessence of Microsoft Excel
Publication Date: 2021
Sick of seeing "#VALUE!"? Have you never worked with Microsoft Excel before or do you already know basic functions and elements? Would you like to master the most important features and functions of Microsoft Excel? Well, if you feel addressed by even one of these questions, this book is the right choice for you! Learn the essential functions of Microsoft Excel (applicable for the versions: 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and Office 365 ). Whether you want to create professional tables, charts, data sheets, analyses or forecasts you will literally master Excel with this guide in no time!
Microsoft 365 Excel: the Only App That Matters by Mike Girvin
Publication Date: 2021
This is a book about Microsoft 365 Excel, or Excel 365. With a new formula calculations engine and many new built-in functions, creating formula solutions and business models in Excel 365 is easier. In addition, with the new data tools like Power Query, Power Pivot and Power BI, performing data analysis to make data driven decisions can be easily done on data with different structures, with different sources and on small and big data alike.
Excel Insights by 24 Excel MVPs
Publication Date: 2020
Learn favorite techniques from this group of twenty-two Excel MVPs. The Excel MVPs are friends and competitors who each pulled out their favorite tricks to impress you and their fellow MVPs.
Using Excel for Business and Financial Modelling by Danielle Stein Fairhurst
Publication Date: 2019
A hands-on guide to using Excel in the business context. This book contains step-by-step instructions of how to solve common business problems using financial models, including downloadable Excel templates, a list of shortcuts and tons of practical tips and techniques you can apply straight away.
Hands-On Machine Learning with Microsoft Excel 2019 by Julio Cesar Rodriguez Martino
Publication Date: 2019
A practical guide to getting the most out of Excel, using it for data preparation, applying machine learning models (including cloud services) and understanding the outcome of the data analysis. Key Features Use Microsoft's product Excel to build advanced forecasting models using varied examples Cover range of machine learning tasks such as data mining, data analytics, smart visualization, and more Derive data-driven techniques using Excel plugins and APIs without much code required.