Beginner · 5 lessons · about 35 min · free certificate

AI for data and spreadsheets

A hands-on course on using AI to explain and write spreadsheet formulas, clean messy data, build summaries and charts, and ask questions of a CSV file. It also teaches how to check AI math and protect the data you work with.

For: Anyone who uses spreadsheets for work, school or a small business and wants to get answers faster without becoming a data scientist.

Start lesson 1

When you finish

  • You can ask AI to explain a formula you do not understand and write a new one from plain words.
  • You can clean messy data by describing the problems and checking the result.
  • You can build a pivot-style summary and choose a chart that fits your question.
  • You can ask questions of a CSV file and tell when the answer needs double-checking.
  • You can check AI math and protect private data before sharing a spreadsheet.

Lessons

Final exam and certificate

10 questions. Score 8 or more for a free certificate of completion you can share and add to LinkedIn. Unlimited tries.

Take the final exam

Prompts you can use today

Copy one, replace the [brackets] with your details, and paste it into the AI tool you use. Leave out anything private.

Explain this formula

Explain this spreadsheet formula to a beginner, step by step, in plain language: [paste formula]. Say what each part does, what kind of data it expects, and give a small example with made-up numbers. Then tell me two ways it could go wrong.

Write a formula from plain words

I use [spreadsheet program]. My data has these columns: [list column letters and what they hold]. I want [describe the result in plain words, for example the total of column C where column B says Paid]. Write the formula, explain it in one sentence, and tell me where to type it.

Find the problems in my data

Here are the first rows of my data with private details removed: [paste a small sample]. List the problems you can see, such as inconsistent spellings, extra spaces, mixed date formats, blank cells and duplicates. For each problem, suggest a way to fix it in a spreadsheet. Do not change any data yet.

Clean a column step by step

In my spreadsheet, column [letter] holds [describe, for example customer names typed in many ways]. I want them consistent as [describe the format]. Give me step-by-step instructions or a formula for [spreadsheet program]. Show a before and after example using made-up values.

Design a summary table

My data has these columns: [list columns]. I want to know [your question, for example total sales by region and month]. Tell me how to build a pivot-style summary table in [spreadsheet program], including which column goes in rows, columns and values. Say how I can check that the totals add up.

Pick the right chart

I want to show [what you want the reader to understand] to [audience]. My data is [describe it briefly]. Recommend the chart type that fits best, explain why in two sentences, name one chart that would mislead, and suggest a clear title and axis labels.

Ask questions of a CSV

I will give you a small CSV with private details removed. First, tell me what columns you see and what each seems to mean. Then answer this question: [your question]. Show how you calculated the answer, and list any rows you were unsure about. Data: [paste or attach]

Check an AI calculation

You gave me this answer: [paste answer]. Show your work step by step so I can check it by hand. Then give me a different method to reach the same number, such as a spreadsheet formula I can run myself. Tell me if the two methods disagree.

Ask the AI tutor

Ask anything about this course, in any language. The tutor is an AI: it can be wrong, and it never needs your personal details.

AI-drafted. Checked by an automated validator and a separate AI reviewer; a person has not read every lesson. Translations and tutor answers are AI-made. Found a mistake? Tell us. Tool facts last checked November 2026; features change, so check the product's own help pages. AI can be wrong. General information, not professional advice. Product names identify the tools taught; no affiliation or endorsement. Current University is not accredited; certificates of completion are not degrees, credit or licenses.