Digital skills for the workplace: working with data - inputting, finding, sorting, filtering with Excel (foundation)

What is the course about?

This course will give you the skills and confidence in Excel to handle and organise data whether for home or office use. You will learn key terms, concepts and functions of Excel spreadsheets and focus on completing tasks which require the input, sorting, filtering and finding of data. You will learn how to organise tables and format them so they are easy to read, and you will then work on tasks which require you to interpret the data in different ways. You will focus on some of the pitfalls that arise when doing this, and also learn tips and strategies which will speed up your ability to use spreadsheets and find out information from the raw data you have.

What will we cover?

• identifying and using key features of a worksheet to create attractive and accurate documents such as budget sheets
• how to enter and present data including making it more readable by changing its font, colour, size and style.
• how to present and change tables such as entering and deleting a column, row or sheet.
• adding and deleting headers and footers.
•how and when to sort data so you and others can read tables easily and find the information you need.
• how and when to filter data so you can make decisions and find information more easily.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

•handle and interpret data confidently via Excel functions
• identify and use key features of a worksheet to create attractive and accurate documents such as budget sheets
• enter and present data to make it more readable by changing its font, colour, size and style.
•present and change tables such as entering and deleting a column, row or sheet.
• add and delete headers and footers.
•identify how and when to sort data so you and others can read tables easily and find the information you need.
•identify how and when to filter data so you can make decisions and find information more easily.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is ideal if you have some familiarity with Excel but want to know how to use it to complete more complex tasks. If you are a complete beginner, please do our Becoming Confident on Excel course first.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks, with guidance from the tutor. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need a pen, A4 paper and a folder to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos online.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

There are many courses you can do before, at the same time or after this course. These include:
• Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)
• Award in Digital and IT Skills: word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations and databases (level 2)
• Essential digital skills for work (Level 1)
• Becoming confident in file management and Windows 10 on your PC (beginners)
• Becoming confident in file management and Windows 11 on your PC (beginners)
• Digital skills for the workplace: using Excel (foundation)
• Digital skills for business: analysing, handling and presenting data with Excel (intermediate)
• Digital skills for business: visualising data with Excel - from column charts to scatter plots (intermediate)

You can also do classes in the maths and English areas. These include:
• Communication skills: develop your English for social media - blogs, vlogs and TikTok (level 1-level 2)
• Communication skills: develop your English for social media - podcasting (level 1-level 2)
• Communication skills: develop your English for social media - website writing (level 1-level 2)
• Becoming an environmental citizen: how to read, research and understand data (entry 3-level 1)
• English communication skills - for life and work (level 1)
• Workplace communication skills: letters, emails, memos, notes, meetings and presentations (level 1)
• Workplace communication skills: how to be confident writing a CV and applying for jobs (level 1-level 2)
• Communication skills for business: how to tell a story with data in your writing and presentations (level 2)


For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.