Excel & Spreadsheets · Lesson 1 of 6
Spreadsheets 101
If you can use a table, you can use a spreadsheet. You're already closer than you think.
After This Lesson, You Will Be Able To
Set up a functional spreadsheet for a real use case — with proper structure, basic formulas, and formatting that makes data readable.
Why Spreadsheets Are Worth Learning
AI has dramatically lowered the learning curve — Claude can write any formula you need in seconds. You just need to understand the structure and know what to ask for.
The Basics You Actually Need to Know
Rows, columns, and cells
A spreadsheet is a grid. Columns go left to right (A, B, C...). Rows go top to bottom (1, 2, 3...). A cell is where a row and column intersect: A1, B3, C10. When you reference data in a formula, you use these cell addresses.
Data types
Text: names, labels, descriptions. Numbers: amounts, quantities, percentages. Dates: Excel and Google Sheets treat dates as numbers — important for calculations. Keep each column to one data type. Don't mix numbers and text in the same column.
The header row
Always put labels in Row 1: 'Name', 'Date', 'Amount', 'Status'. Never put data in Row 1. This makes your data sortable, filterable, and readable. It's the most important structural habit in spreadsheets.
Sorting and filtering
With your data structured correctly (header row + consistent data types), you can sort any column A–Z or smallest to largest, and filter to show only rows that match a condition. These two features alone are worth learning spreadsheets for.
Google Sheets vs Microsoft Excel
Excel: more powerful for complex analysis, better for offline work, standard in corporate environments. Has more advanced features but steeper learning curve.
For most people, Google Sheets is the right starting point. Everything you learn transfers to Excel.
Exercise
~10 minutes · ChatGPT or Claude
Prompt to use
Help me set up a spreadsheet for [describe your use case — tracking clients / managing income / tracking project tasks / monitoring inventory / etc.]. Tell me: 1) What columns I should have and in what order, 2) What data type each column should contain, 3) Any dropdown menus or data validation I should add to keep data consistent, 4) The most useful formula to add right away for this type of data. Set it up as a Google Sheets template I can copy and use today.
A spreadsheet is just organized information. You already organize information every day — phone contacts, grocery lists, client notes. What information in your life or business would be more useful if it were organized in a table?
Key Takeaways
The header row is the most important structural habit. Always label your columns in Row 1.
Keep each column to one data type (all text, all numbers, or all dates). Mixed types cause formula errors.
Sorting and filtering are the two most powerful basic spreadsheet features — learn them first.
Google Sheets for beginners and shared work. Excel for advanced analysis and corporate environments.
Set up a client or income tracking spreadsheet.
Open Google Sheets. Create a new sheet. Ask Claude: 'Give me a simple income tracking spreadsheet template for a Filipino freelancer. Include columns for client name, project, amount, invoice date, payment date, and payment status.' Set it up. Add your last 5 projects. Practice sorting by date and filtering by status.
Next Lesson
Writing Formulas with AI
Excel & Spreadsheets · Lesson 2 of 6 · 10 min