Engineering Vault

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 1 of 46

Intro to Cells

Learn what a cell, column, row, and cell reference are.

Step 1 of 20%

Each box in a spreadsheet is a cell. Columns are labeled with letters and rows with numbers. A cell's name is its column letter plus its row number, like A1. This is called a cell reference. Click cell B2.

Select: B2

A1
ABCDEF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Arrow keys move · drag or shift-click to select a range · Ctrl/Cmd+D fill down · Ctrl/Cmd+R fill right · Alt+= AutoSum · F4 toggles $

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46 lessons, 87 hands-on steps. Everything runs in your browser.

Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 1

Intro to Cells

Learn what a cell, column, row, and cell reference are.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 2

Selecting Cells

Select single cells and ranges of cells.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 3

Arrow Key Navigation

Move around a spreadsheet with the arrow keys.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 4

Entering Values

Type numbers and text into cells.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 5

Your First Formula

Write formulas that add and subtract cells.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 6

Order of Operations

Use parentheses to control the order Excel calculates in.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 7

Fill Down

Copy a formula down a column with Fill Down.

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Module 1: Spreadsheet Basics · Lesson 8

Fill Right

Copy a formula across a row with Fill Right.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 9

SUM Function

Add up a range of cells with SUM.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 10

AutoSum

Use the AutoSum shortcut to total a column instantly.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 11

AVERAGE Function

Find the mean of a range with AVERAGE.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 12

MIN & MAX

Find the lowest and highest values in a dataset.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 13

COUNT Function

Count how many cells contain numbers.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 14

COUNTA & Blank Cells

Count filled cells and find missing data.

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Module 2: Core Functions · Lesson 15

ROUND Function

Round results to a set number of digits.

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Module 3: References · Lesson 16

Relative References

See how references shift when you copy a formula.

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Module 3: References · Lesson 17

Absolute References with $

Lock a reference with $ so it doesn't move when copied.

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Module 3: References · Lesson 18

Mixed References

Lock only the row or only the column to build a table.

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Module 3: References · Lesson 19

Percent Change

Calculate growth between two values.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 20

Power Calc (P = V × I)

Calculate electrical power from voltage and current.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 21

Unit Conversions

Convert units with a locked conversion factor.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 22

Percent Error

Compare measured results to expected values.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 23

Efficiency

Calculate efficiency as output divided by input.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 24

Square Roots & Exponents

Use SQRT and the ^ operator.

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Module 4: Engineering Calcs · Lesson 25

PI and Circle Area

Calculate pipe cross-sectional area with PI().

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Module 5: Logic · Lesson 26

TRUE & FALSE

Test whether two values are equal.

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Module 5: Logic · Lesson 27

Comparison Operators

Compare values with >, <, >=, <=, and <>.

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Module 5: Logic · Lesson 28

IF Function

Return different results based on a condition.

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Module 5: Logic · Lesson 29

Nested IF

Put an IF inside another IF for three or more outcomes.

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Module 5: Logic · Lesson 30

AND & OR

Check multiple conditions at once.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 31

COUNTIF

Count cells that meet a condition.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 32

Intro to SUMIF

Add up only the values that meet a condition.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 33

SUMIF with Sum Range

Check one column and add up another.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 34

Wildcard Characters

Match partial text with * and ?.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 35

SUMIFS

Add values that meet multiple conditions.

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Module 6: Conditional Math · Lesson 36

AVERAGEIFS

Average values that meet multiple conditions.

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Module 7: Lookups · Lesson 37

VLOOKUP

Pull values from a table by looking up a key.

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Module 7: Lookups · Lesson 38

XLOOKUP

Use XLOOKUP, the modern replacement for VLOOKUP.

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Module 7: Lookups · Lesson 39

INDEX Function

Return a value by its position in a range.

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Module 7: Lookups · Lesson 40

MATCH Function

Find the position of a value in a range.

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Module 7: Lookups · Lesson 41

INDEX + MATCH

Combine INDEX and MATCH to find the hour of peak load.

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Module 8: Analysis · Lesson 42

Linear Interpolation

Estimate values between two known points with FORECAST.

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Module 8: Analysis · Lesson 43

SLOPE & INTERCEPT

Fit a trend line to test data.

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Module 8: Analysis · Lesson 44

NPV

Decide if a project pays off with Net Present Value.

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Module 8: Analysis · Lesson 45

PMT

Calculate loan payments for equipment purchases.

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Module 8: Analysis · Lesson 46

Capstone: 24-Hour Load Profile

Analyze a full day of utility load data like a distribution planner.

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