Active Reflection & Additional Activities
✅ Applying Your Learning at Work
Now that you’ve gained an understanding of Excel’s key features, take some time to apply your learning in a real-world setting.
Activity: Explore Your Own Datasets
❗Make sure you’ve got permissions from relevant stakeholders so you don’t break live databases or refords❗
✔ Open up an existing spreadsheet from your workplace or organisation.
✔ Just have a look around! Observe how data is structured, formatted, and organised.
✔ Look out for anomalies—are there any inconsistencies or unusual values?
✔ Check with relevant stakeholders before making changes to avoid disrupting live data.
The goal: Build familiarity with real datasets and spot areas where you can apply what you’ve learned.
Independent Exploration of Excel’s Tabs
Excel is packed with tools, many of which you might not have explored yet! Take some time to experiment with the different tabs:
| Tab | Suggested Features to Explore |
|---|---|
| Home | Try out Merge & Centre—how does it affect formatting? ✅ |
| Insert | Explore Charts and SmartArt—what visualisation options are available? |
| Data | Look at Sort & Filter—how does it help organise information? |
| Review | Check out Comments & Notes—how can they help in collaboration? |
| View | Experiment with Freeze Panes vs. Freeze Top Row—how does it impact navigation? |
Bonus Challenge: Break & Learn!
Objective: Get hands-on experience by experimenting in a safe, unconstrained environment.
✔ Save a copy of your workbook before making changes.
✔ Try applying different formatting, filters, and formulas.
✔ What happens if you use Undo (CTRL + Z) or Redo (CTRL + Y)?
✔ Challenge yourself to break something (safely!) and figure out how to fix it.
Why? Learning by trial and error helps deepen your understanding and builds confidence in using Excel.
Final Reflection
✅ What was the most interesting feature you explored?
✅ How could this new knowledge improve your work?
✅ What Excel feature would you like to learn more about?
The more you explore, the more comfortable you’ll become—so keep experimenting!
Master Excel Fundamentals for Business Insights
Master Excel Fundamentals for Business Insights
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
