4.2
stars
3,669 ratings

Don Huesman

103,834 already enrolled

Offered By

University of Pennsylvania

About this Course

38,339 recent views

The simple spreadsheet is one of the most powerful data analysis tools that exists, and it’s available to almost anyone. Major corporations and small businesses alike use spreadsheet models to determine where key measures of their success are now, and where they are likely to be in the future. But in order to get the most out of a spreadsheet, you have the know-how to use it. This course is designed to give you an introduction to basic spreadsheet tools and formulas so that you can begin harness the power of spreadsheets to map the data you have now and to predict the data you may have in the future. Through short, easy-to-follow demonstrations, you’ll learn how to use Excel or Sheets so that you can begin to build models and decision trees in future courses in this Specialization. 
Basic familiarity with, and access to, Excel or Sheets is required.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 5 hours to complete

English

Skills you will gain

Monte Carlo Method
Microsoft Excel
Linear Programming (LP)
Solver

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 5 hours to complete

English

Instructor

Instructor rating

3.97/5 (233 Ratings)

Don Huesman

Managing Director, Wharton Online

Innovation Group- Wharton School

104,158 Learners

2 Courses

Offered by

University of Pennsylvania

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating81%(5,177 ratings)

Week1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Spreadsheets: A Tool for Thinking with Numbers

This module was designed to introduce you to the history of spreadsheets, their basic capabilities, and how they can be used to create models. You'll learn the different types of data used in spreadsheets, spreadsheet notations for mathematical operations, common built-in formulas and functions, conditional expressions, relative and absolute references, and how to identify and correct circular references. By the end of this module, you'll understand the context of spreadsheets, be able to navigate a spreadsheet, use built-in formulas and functions in spreadsheets, create your own simple formulas, and identify and correct common errors so you can put spreadsheets to work for you.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 42 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

Week2

Week 2

1 hour to complete

From Spreadsheet to Model

In this module, you'll move from spreadsheet to model, so you can begin to create your own models that reflect real-world events. You'll learn how to organize and lay out model elements, as well as the types of objective functions and their use. You'll also learn what-if analysis and scenarios, sensitivity analysis, and other classic models. By the end of this module, you'll be able to design a spreadsheet reflecting assumptions, decision variables, and outcomes, create a basic cashflow model, evaluate a small business opportunity, conduct what-if analysis, identify key variables using sensitivity analysis, and linear programming models and deterministic models.

1 hour to complete

6 videos (Total 23 min), 2 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

2.0 Module Introduction2m2.1 Using assumptions and decision variables in spreadsheet models2m2.2 Structuring a spreadsheet to model variables, objectives, and objective functions2m2.3 Constructing simple cashflow model4m2.4 What-if analysis and sensitivity analysis4m2.5 Limits to simple, deterministic models5m

2 readings

PDF of Module 2 Lecture Slides10mModule 2 examples10m

1 practice exercise

Module 2 Quiz: Classic Models30m

Week3

Week 3

2 hours to complete

Addressing Uncertainty and Probability in Models

This module was designed to introduce you to how you can use spreadsheets to address uncertainty and probability. You'll learn about random variables, probability distributions, power, exponential, and log functions in model formulas, models for calculating probability trees and decision trees, how to use regression tools to make predictions, as well as multiple regression. By the end of this module, you'll be able to measure correlations between variables using spreadsheet statistical functions, understand the results of functions that calculate correlations, use regression tools to make predictions, and improve forecasts with multiple regression.

2 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 40 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

6 videos

3.0 Introduction1m3.1 Random variables and probability distributions11m3.2 Changes in discrete and continuous time5m3.3 Power, exponential, and log functions8m3.4 Probability trees and decision trees5m3.5 Correlation and Regression7m

3 readings

PDF of Module 3 Lecture Slides10mModule 3 examples10mAdditional reading on exponential and other functions10m

1 practice exercise

Module 3 Quiz: Probability, Correlation, and Regression30m

Week4

Week 4

2 hours to complete

Simulation and Optimization

In this module, you'll learn to use spreadsheets to implement Monte Carlo simulations as well as linear programs for optimization. You'll examine the purpose of Monte Carlo simulations, how to implement Monte Carlo simulations in spreadsheets, the types of problems you can address with linear programs and how to implement those linear programs in spreadsheets. By the end of this module, you'll be able to model uncertainty and risk in spreadsheets, and use Excel's solver to optimize resources to reach a desired outcome. You'll also be able to identify the similarities and differences between Excel and Sheets, and be prepared for the next course in the Business and Financial Modeling Specialization.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 34 min), 3 readings, 1 quiz

Reviews

4.2

696 reviews

5 stars
50.28%
4 stars
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3 stars
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2 stars
5.63%
1 star
3.29%

TOP REVIEWS FROM INTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEETS AND MODELS

by RJJun 11, 2020

The course is worth the time , the faculty teaches you about some complicated advance formulae with so much clarity and ease that even beginners can be pro in excel related to business and finance.

by ADJun 15, 2020

This course was very helpful in stepping-up my finance related excel skills. This is especially most helpful for students with little to zero background in finance.

by MAug 9, 2018

Course is great with showing much interesting fuctions in excel. Only 4 out of 5 stars because it is not clear how to submit formula input in quizes - whether start with = or not etc.

by SKMay 13, 2017

This is a very interesting course. You will get to learn the functioning of spreadsheets and how to use it for business models. Moreover, one can use it for market research also.

View all reviews

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When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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Introduction to Spreadsheets and Models

About this Course

Skills you will gain