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Training: ICDL BASE – Spreadsheets – BM4

Ref. ECDL1-BM4
Duration:
2
 jours
Exam:
Optionnel
Level:
Fondamental

Spreadsheet Training – ECDL BASE – BM4

The ECDL BASE – Spreadsheet – BM4 training teaches you the essential foundations of spreadsheet software. It helps you better understand how to organize, calculate, and present data clearly and efficiently. You will learn how to create structured tables, use precise formulas, and design relevant charts. The goal is to master the key tools needed to handle numerical data professionally.

A practical learning experience on spreadsheets

This course is designed for anyone looking to strengthen their spreadsheet skills and obtain the ECDL BASE certification. It covers spreadsheet management, data sorting and editing, the creation of logical and arithmetic formulas, as well as page layout and print preparation. The concepts are introduced progressively to ensure easy understanding and immediate practical application.

Participant Profiles

  • Office employees wishing to certify their spreadsheet skills
  • Administrative assistants or accountants handling numerical data
  • Students and trainers preparing for the ECDL certification
  • Professionals seeking to improve their mastery of calculation tools

Objectives

  • Work with spreadsheets and save them in different file formats, locally or in the cloud
  • Use available help resources, shortcuts and the go to tool to enhance productivity
  • Enter data into cells and use good practice in creating lists. Select, sort and copy, move and delete data
  • Edit rows and columns in a worksheet. Copy, move, delete and appropriately rename worksheets
  • Create mathematical and logical formulas using standard spreadsheet functions. Use good practice in formula creation and recognize error values in formulas
  • Format numbers and text content in a spreadsheet and use available autoformat/table styles
  • Choose suitable charts, and create and format charts to communicate information meaningfully
  • Adjust spreadsheet page settings and check and correct spreadsheet content before printing

Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of Windows
  • Have worked with Excel

Course Content

Using the Application

Module 1: Working with Spreadsheets

  • Open, close a spreadsheet application. Open, close spreadsheet(s)
  • Create a new spreadsheet based on default template, other available template locally or online
  • Save a spreadsheet to a location on a local, online drive. Save a spreadsheet under another name to a location on a local, online drive
  • Save a spreadsheet as another file type like: text file, pdf, csv, software specific file extension
  • Switch between open spreadsheets

Module 2: Enhancing Productivity

  • Set basic options/preferences in the application: user name, default folder to open, save documents
  • Use available help resources
  • Use magnification/zoom tools
  • Display, hide built-in toolbars. Restore, minimise the ribbon
  • Recognise good practice in navigating within a document: use shortcuts, go to tool
  • Use go to tool to navigate to a specific page

Cells

Module 1: Insert, Select

  • Understand that a cell in a worksheet should contain only one element of data, for example, quantity in one cell, description in adjacent cell
  • Recognise good practice in creating lists: avoid blank rows and columns in the main body of list, ensure cells bordering list are blank
  • Enter a number, date, text in a cell
  • Select a cell, range of adjacent cells, range of non-adjacent cells, entire worksheet

Module 2: Edit, Sort

  • Edit cell contents
  • Use the undo, redo command
  • Use a simple search command for specific content in a worksheet
  • Use a simple replace command for specific content in a worksheet
  • Sort a cell range by one criterion in ascending, descending numeric order, ascending, descending alphabetic order

Module 3: Copy, Move, Delete

  • Copy the contents of a cell, cell range within a worksheet, between worksheets, between open spreadsheets
  • Use the autofill tool/copy handle tool to copy, increment data, formula, function
  • Move the contents of a cell, cell range within a worksheet, between worksheets, between open spreadsheets
  • Delete cell contents

Managing Worksheets

Module 1: Rows and Columns

  • Select a row, range of adjacent rows, range of non-adjacent rows
  • Select a column, range of adjacent columns, range of non-adjacent columns
  • Insert, delete rows and columns
  • Modify column width, row height to a specified value, to optimal width or height
  • Freeze, unfreeze row and/or column titles

Module 2: Worksheets

  • Insert a new worksheet, delete a worksheet
  • Recognise good practice in naming worksheets: use meaningful worksheet names rather than the default names
  • Copy, move a worksheet within a spreadsheet, between spreadsheets. Rename a worksheet

Formulas and Functions

Module 1: Arithmetic

  • Recognise good practice in formula creation: use cell references rather than numbers in formulas
  • Create formulas using cell references and arithmetic operators (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
  • Identify and understand standard error values associated with formulas: #NAME?, #DIV/0!, #REF!, #VALUE!
  • Understand and use relative, absolute cell referencing in formulas

Module 2: Functions

  • Use sum, average, minimum, maximum, count, counta, round functions
  • Use the logical function if (yielding one of two specific values) with comparison operator: =, >, <

Formatting

Module 1: Numbers/Dates

  • Format cells to display numbers to a specific number of decimal places, to display numbers with, without a separator to indicate thousands
  • Format cells to display date style, currency symbol
  • Format cells to display numbers as percentages

Module 2: Contents

  • Apply text formatting to cell contents: font size, font type
  • Apply text formatting to cell contents: bold, italic, underline, double underline
  • Apply different colours to cell contents, cell background
  • Apply an autoformat/table style to a cell range
  • Copy the formatting from a cell, cell range to another cell, cell range

Module 3: Alignment, Border Effects

  • Apply, remove text wrapping to contents within a cell, cell range
  • Align cell contents: horizontally, vertically. Adjust orientation of cell contents
  • Merge and centre cell contents in a merged cell. Unmerge cells
  • Apply, remove border effects to a cell, cell range: lines, colours

Charts

Module 1: Create

  • Understand the uses of different types of chart: column chart, bar chart, line chart, pie chart
  • Create different types of charts from spreadsheet data: column chart, bar chart, line chart, pie chart
  • Select a chart
  • Change the chart type
  • Move, resize, delete a chart

Module 2: Edit

  • Add, remove, edit a chart title
  • Add, remove a chart legend
  • Add, remove data labels in a chart: values/numbers, percentages
  • Change chart area background colour, legend fill colour
  • Change the column, bar, line, pie slice colours in the chart
  • Change font size and colour of chart title, chart axes, chart legend text

Preparing to print

Module 1: Setup

  • Change worksheet margins: top, bottom, left, right
  • Change worksheet orientation: portrait, landscape. Change paper size
  • Adjust page setup to fit worksheet contents on a specified number of pages
  • Add, edit, delete text in headers, footers in a worksheet
  • Insert, delete fields: page numbering, date, time, file name, worksheet name into headers, footers

Module 2: Check and Print

  • Check and correct spreadsheet calculations and text
  • Turn on, off display of gridlines, display of row and column headings for printing purposes
  • Apply automatic title row(s) printing on every page of a printed worksheet
  • Preview a worksheet
  • Print a selected cell range from a worksheet, an entire worksheet, number of copies of a worksheet, the entire spreadsheet, a selected chart

Documentation

  • Digital courseware included

Lab / Exercises

  • This course provides you with exclusive access to the official Microsoft lab, enabling you to practice your skills in a professional environment.

Exam

  • This course prepares to the exam ICDL Base – Spreadsheets (BM4). If you wish to take this exam, please contact our secretariat who will let you know the cost of the exam and will take care of all the necessary administrative procedures for you

Complementary Courses

Eligible Funding

ITTA is a partner of a continuing education fund dedicated to temporary workers. This fund can subsidize your training, provided that you are subject to the “Service Provision” collective labor agreement (CCT) and meet certain conditions, including having worked at least 88 hours in the past 12 months.

Additional Information

Developing strong spreadsheet skills for the professional world

Mastering spreadsheet software is now an essential skill in most professions. The ECDL BASE – Spreadsheet – BM4 course helps you gain an in-depth understanding of the key functions while developing a methodical approach to data handling. By learning how to structure worksheets and automate calculations, you increase your efficiency and accuracy. These skills are highly valued in fields such as management, accounting, marketing, and administration.

In this training, you will learn how to organize complex information and create clear, reliable reports. The logic of a spreadsheet relies on a structured approach: each cell, formula, and chart must serve a specific purpose. Understanding this logic allows you to optimize your workflow and ensure data consistency.

Understanding the importance of formulas and functions

Spreadsheet functions and formulas are much more than simple calculation tools. They are at the heart of data automation. Knowing how to use functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, or IF enables you to perform quick and accurate analyses. The training teaches you to create logical formulas capable of handling large volumes of information without errors. This mastery is a major asset for anyone working on financial tables, statistical reports, or project tracking sheets.

You will also learn how to identify common errors, such as missing references or division by zero. You’ll develop professional reflexes to diagnose and correct formulas efficiently. This practical approach prepares you for real-world spreadsheet use in a professional setting.

Creating effective charts for visual communication

A good spreadsheet is not just about numbers. The ability to turn data into visual charts is essential for communicating results effectively. This course guides you in creating charts suited to different contexts: bar, pie, or line charts. You will learn to choose the most relevant visual representations according to your data type and message.

You will also understand how to harmonize colors, adjust legends, and highlight key elements in a chart. These skills will enable you to produce clear, professional-quality visuals that enhance your work and make your analyses easier to interpret.

Optimizing presentation and print layout

A well-designed spreadsheet should be readable, balanced, and easy to interpret. This course emphasizes formatting and print preparation. You will learn to adjust margins, configure headers and footers, and use print preview options to ensure a professional layout. This attention to detail is essential for any report or presentation intended for internal or external audiences.

Mastering these technical aspects strengthens your credibility and ensures the delivery of impeccable documents. The spreadsheet becomes a true communication tool, beyond simple data processing.

Enhancing your profile with the ECDL BASE certification

Obtaining the ECDL BASE certification validates your spreadsheet skills and demonstrates your ability to use digital tools effectively. This certification is recognized across Europe and provides a concrete advantage in your professional journey. It proves your structured know-how and practical mastery of essential spreadsheet functions.

In a context where digital transformation is changing work methods, the ability to analyze and manage data precisely is a strategic skill. The ECDL certification enhances your employability and strengthens your professional credibility.

FAQ

Why learn to use a spreadsheet in 2025?
Spreadsheets remain fundamental tools for data management, dashboard creation, and performance tracking. Their use extends to all professions, far beyond accounting.

Is the ECDL certification still recognized?
Yes, the ECDL certification is an international standard that validates your core digital skills. It is widely recognized by companies and public institutions.

What’s the difference between ECDL BASE and other office certifications?
ECDL BASE evaluates essential skills across several IT domains, including spreadsheets. It’s a comprehensive and rigorous certification suitable for beginners and professionals seeking to validate their knowledge.

What are the concrete benefits for employees or students?
The course improves productivity, precision, and analytical skills. For students, it offers solid preparation for professional requirements.

Is the training focused only on Excel?
The content applies to any spreadsheet software following industry standards, including Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and Google Sheets. The goal is to understand the core principles to adapt easily across platforms.

How long does it take to master the basics?
Most participants achieve good autonomy within a few days, provided they regularly practice the exercises included in the course.

Prix de l'inscription
CHF 1'200.-
Inclus dans ce cours
  • Training provided by a certified trainer
  • Exam fee (Skills Card not included)
  • Pre-training level evaluation
  • Digital documentation
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1227 Carouge, Suisse

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Tel. 058 307 73 00

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Route des jeunes 35
1227 Carouge, Suisse

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Contact

ITTA
Route des jeunes 35
1227 Carouge, Suisse

Opening hours

Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 06:00 pm.

Contact us

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