Which Classes Use Computing Skills?

Virtually all coursework and many of your communications will require a computer. Spreadsheet skills in particular are critical for any course that involves quantitative work.

Computing Skills You Need

• 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 programs, 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.
  • The text-to-columns utility.
  • Text file import.
• 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.
  • Familiarity with the Excel Analysis Toolpak.
  • 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 FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS ONLY

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 program preparation includes exercises that cover proficiency in Excel, the use of Excel for regression and statistical analysis, Excel charting, tools for efficient data management in Excel, and practice with Excel forecasting tools. The exercises are specifically designed to prepare you for basic Excel work in Duke's MBA programs. The materials assume you're using Fuqua's current standard version of Excel, Excel 2013, running in a Windows environment.

In addition to the Duke MBA pre-program Excel review exercises, consider additional review on your own of MS Excel 2013 spreadsheet concepts. Suggested resources are listed below.

Video/CD ROM Excel Courses

• Excel: CD or online delivery- KeyStone Learning Systems (http://www.keystonelearning.com)
• Excel: CD, video or online delivery - LearnKey Training  (http://www.learnkey.com/)

Excel Web Sites

• Excel Review - Documents, spreadsheets, recommendation
  ( https://faculty.fuqua.duke.edu/~pecklund/ExcelReview/ExcelReview.htm )
• Excel Web Reference- Pearson Software Consulting, LLC. 
  ( http://www.cpearson.com/excel/topic.aspx )
• The Spreadsheet Page - JWalk & Associates, Inc. 
  ( http://spreadsheetpage.com/ )
• Rob Bovey's AppsPro Free Utilities Page 
  ( http://www.appspro.com/ )
• MrExcel.com - Forum on all things Excel. 
  ( http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/forum.php )

Transitioning to Excel 2013

If you're transitioning to the 2013 version of Excel:

What's New in Excel 2013

• Video ( http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/video-whats-new-in-excel-2013-VA102834141.aspx?CTT=1 )             
• Online Article 
  ( http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/what-s-new-in-excel-2013-HA102809308.aspx?CTT=1 )

Make the Switch to Excel 2013

• Video course: ( http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/make-the-switch-to-excel-2013-RZ102924304.aspx?CTT=1 )

Online Tutorials

Microsoft endorses these (and other) easily-accessible online Excel 2013 tutorials:

• CGF LearnFree.org 
  Excel 2013 
• Top Windows Tutorials.com
  Learning Microsoft Excel 2013 
• SimonSezIT.com
  Microsoft Excel 2013 Training 

English is Not Your Native Language

If English is not your native language, you may want to review this article:

Do I need a language pack or language interface pack?

Keyboard Shortcuts

For a list of 2013 keyboard shortcuts, see this article:

Keyboard Shortcuts in Excel 2013