Excel Essentials with AI: From Basics to Smart Spreadsheets (AI-Integrated Excel Bootcamp Series)

Code	Date	Delivery	Cost
ITS-1535	Tue Apr 7, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm	In-person (Stanford Campus) : 1 session Ventura Hall (Room 1)	$300
ITS-1535	Tue Apr 7, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm	Live Online : 1 session	$300

Before each live online session, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.

This class offers an option for in-classroom sessions. Participants attending an in-person class will need to adhere to the respiratory illness policies.

Build Excel fundamentals while using AI models as your on-demand assistant. Cover navigation, formatting, and basic formulas, and see how AI models can answer questions, generate formulas, and speed up everyday tasks.

Program Description

Explore Excel fundamentals while discovering how to leverage AI as your personal Excel assistant. This session introduces essential navigation, formatting, and basic formulas, and shows you how to use AI Playground, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot to accelerate every task. Whether you're new to Excel or looking to modernize your skills, discover how AI can answer questions, generate formulas, and automate common tasks instantly.

Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives:
- Explore Excel interface and understand workbook structure
- Discover professional formatting with AI-generated style recommendations
- Build and understand basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT) with AI assistance
- Experience how AI explains Excel features and troubleshoots problems
- Generate formulas using natural language instead of memorizing syntax
- Apply AI-recommended best practices for spreadsheet organization

Topic Outline

Module Breakdown:

Module 1: Excel Fundamentals + AI as Your Tutor
- Excel interface navigation and terminology
- Workbook and worksheet management
- Cell references and basic data entry
- AI Integration: Using AI models to explain any Excel feature
- Hands-on: Ask AI to teach you specific Excel concepts

Module 2: Formatting + AI-Enhanced Design
- Cell formatting (numbers, dates, text)
- Column/row management and alignment
- Basic table creation
- AI Integration: AI-generated professional formatting templates
- Hands-on: Transform raw data into polished table using AI styling suggestions

Module 3: Basic Formulas + Natural Language Generation
- Introduction to formulas and functions
- SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX
- Cell references (relative vs. absolute)
- AI Integration: Generate formulas by describing what you need in plain English
- Hands-on: Create calculations using AI-written formulas

Module 4: Smart Spreadsheet Practices + AI Automation
- Data organization best practices
- Common Excel mistakes and how to avoid them
- Introduction to keyboard shortcuts
- AI Integration: AI-powered data validation and error checking
- Hands-on: Use AI to audit and improve a messy spreadsheet

Custom training workshops are available for this program

Technology training sessions structured around individual or group learning objectives. Learn more about custom training.

Special Group Rates

For groups of 5 or more, special rates are available. Please contact techtraining@stanford.edu for more details.

University IT Technology Training sessions are available to a wide range of participants, including Stanford University staff, faculty, students, and employees of Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, such as Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Stanford Medicine Partners, and Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Additionally, some of these programs are open to interested individuals not affiliated with Stanford, allowing for broader community engagement and learning opportunities.