• Unit 3: Spreadsheet Design and Implementation

    The way we design the columns and rows of our spreadsheet helps us present data to our audience in a way that lets them quickly understand how the information in each cell relates to that in the other cells. When you configure your spreadsheet correctly, you can also perform data calculations quickly and efficiently. In this unit, we will explore two common spreadsheets applications: budgets and work statements. We will use these examples to study how to optimize the design of our spreadsheets.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • create spreadsheets for real-life applications in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets;
      • create a personal monthly budget in a Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet;
      • create an invoice or work statement in a Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet; and
      • create a business budget in a Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets spreadsheet.

    • 3.1: Creating a Budget

      We can use spreadsheet software to create budgets for personal and business applications by using the formatting and formula functions we discussed earlier. Let's look at three examples of how to use a spreadsheet to manage a budget.

      • Using Microsoft Excel to Create a Family Budget Page

        This tutorial shows how to use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to plan for a family's expenses within a set budget. At the bottom of the article, there is a sample dataset that you can download and use to follow along with the tutorial.

      • How To Make A Budget In Google Sheets Page

        Like the video you just watched, this tutorial focuses on making a personal budget. You can download the budget template used in the video here. This template includes bar graphs generated from your data to show your income versus expenses, and how much money you are able to save.

      • How to Create an Income Statement Page

        This video describes how to make a budget or income statement for a business. While the basic format is the same as for a personal budget, there are some additional considerations you should make for a business budget.

    • 3.2: Creating an Invoice or Work Estimate

      In business, we often need to make invoices, billing statements, and work estimates. We can accomplish all of these tasks using spreadsheet software.

      • Sample Work Estimate: Jack's Auto Repair Page

        Read this example of a work estimate for an auto repair shop. The author uses a table to create an easy-to-read work estimate for an auto repair. The data is organized so that customers can quickly see the number and types of repairs required, the number of work hours, the price per hour, and the total cost for each repair.

    • Unit 3 Assessment

      • Unit 3 Assessment Quiz
        Receive a grade

        Take this assessment to see how well you understood this unit.

        • This assessment does not count towards your grade. It is just for practice!
        • You will see the correct answers when you submit your answers. Use this to help you study for the final exam!
        • You can take this assessment as many times as you want, whenever you want.