Computer Skills

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• Which Classes Use Computing Skills?  |
• Computing Skills to Bring With You |
• The Minimum Spreadsheet Skills You Need |
• Pre-program Preparation in Excel |
• Microsoft Excel Exercises |
• Video/CD ROM Excel Courses |
• Excel Web Sites |

Which Classes Use Computing Skills?

Virtually all coursework and communication requires the computer. Spreadsheet skills in particular are critical for any course that involves quantitative work.

Computing Skills to Bring With You

• Familiarity with personal computing using a Windows type of interface (a mouse, menus, scroll bars, tool bars, dialog boxes, multiple open applications, etc.)
• A good understanding of computer housekeeping tasks (folder and file management, hard drive organization, software installation, backups and archiving, virus protection, etc.)
• Internet connectivity essentials.
• Intermediate or better skills with word processing, presentation graphics, and web browser tools.
• Intermediate or better ability using spreadsheet software to model and solve problems.

The Minimum Spreadsheet Skills You Need

In order to be successful using spreadsheet software in Duke's MBA program, make sure you start your program already familiar with:

• Editing
• Entering and copying information.
• Formatting (adding bolding, italics, colors, borders, etc.)
• Efficiently selecting, moving, and deleting information.
• Use of the text-to-columns utility.
• Knowledge of how to import a text file.
• Analysis
• Range naming and the uses of range names.
• Finding and using functions in Excel's function library, especially logical functions.
• Writing formulas and good formula design practices.
• When and how to use absolute, relative, and mixed addressing.
• Cross-worksheet and cross-workbook referencing.
• Formula copying.
• Knowledge of the Excel Analysis Toolpak tools (basic familiarity).
• Sorting and subtotaling.
• Building and using Excel's Data Table (both one-input and two-input).
• Excel's Goal Seek and Solver.
• Scenarios.
• Charting
• Basic chart creation and customization.
• Familiarity with the XY chart and when to use it instead of another chart type.
• Printing
• Print preview.
• Printing a specific range or ranges.
• Printing entire worksheets or workbooks.
• Header and footer generation.

Pre-program Preparation in Excel

Before the program begins you're strongly encouraged to work through the pre-program exercises in Excel that will be available to you on the Incoming Student Website. The prep-program preparation includes exercises that cover proficiency in Excel, use Excel for regression and statistical analysis, Excel charting, and Excel forecasting tools. The exercises are specifically designed to prepare you for basic Excel work in Dukes's MBA programs. Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Spreadsheets (especially MS Excel 2007)

In addition to the Duke MBA pre-program Excel review exercises, consider additional review on your own of MS Excel 2007 spreadsheet concepts. Suggested resources are listed below.

Microsoft Excel Exercises

Microsoft has made available a growing set of free, internet-based tutorials introducing various features of Excel.  Find them by clicking this link:  Microsoft Office Online Excel 2007 Courses

Video/CD ROM Excel Courses

• Excel: CD or online delivery- KeyStone Learning Systems
• Excel: CD, video or online delivery - LearnKey Training

Excel Web Sites

• Excel Review - Documents, spreadsheets, recommendations.
• Excel Tips - Beyond Technology Development Corp.
• Excel Web Reference - Pearson Software Consulting, LLC.
• The Spreadsheet Page - JWalk & Associates, Inc.
• Microsoft Excel Tips - Accounting Advisors.
• Rob Bovey's AppsPro Free Utilities Page
• MrExcel.com - All things Excel.