EXCEL · DATA SKILLS
Prepare data for analysis
Browse Excel lessons
- Excel for basic data analysis
- Cells and ranges
- Columns and readable headings
- Enter and edit cells
- Share files and embed objects
- Fill a series
- Save a practice copy
- Prepare data for analysis
- Dates and number formats
- Variables and score definitions
- Enter and check practice data
- Insert and delete rows
- AutoSum and totals
- Copy formulas with relative references
- Calculate the mean
- Calculate standard deviation
- Excel references and next steps
Keep one variable per column and one case per row. Use a unique case ID, consistent units and coding, and a written explanation of what each variable means. Keep missing scores blank or use an explicitly documented method; do not silently substitute zero.
In the practice workbook, A5:A9 identify five cases and B5:D9 hold the scores. Rows 10–12 contain summaries and must not be included in the raw-data range. The Total label in A10 corrects the earlier misleading Maximum label.
For new datasets, place summaries outside the raw-data table and avoid identifying personal information in a public teaching file.
Reference: Microsoft Support. Menu names may vary by platform and update.