Excel and Spreadsheets in Practice

About this guide

This guide is for anyone who feels stuck on formulas and spends too much time on repetitive manual data entry. Instead of focusing on complex theory, it provides a structured method to build spreadsheets that work. You can read the 11 chapters in a single afternoon and begin applying the steps to your own workflow immediately. The book teaches you how to move from improvisation to a repeatable process. It covers how to choose a starting point, set up ready-to-use spreadsheets, and measure what actually matters. By following the order provided, you can transition from manual labor to your first automated system without relying on willpower or inspiration. Every chapter includes a specific exercise and a checklist designed to turn the reading into execution. The focus is on building simple, functional versions of your tools first and making adjustments without having to start over from scratch.

What you'll learn

• Build the simplest version of a spreadsheet that works before trying to improve it.
• Define clear completion criteria so projects don't stay open-ended.
• Set up a fixed weekly schedule to turn spreadsheet management into a habit.
• Learn to adjust one variable at a time to identify what actually improves your results.
• Use a recording system to track changes and avoid redoing old tests.
• Identify and resolve common bottlenecks that hold back spreadsheet automation.

Who it's for

People who spend significant time on manual spreadsheet tasks and want a structured way to automate their work.

What's inside

1. 01Excel and Spreadsheets in Practice: What Works and What Only Seems To
2. 02Table of Contents
3. 03Introduction
4. 04How to Use This Book
5. 05CHAPTER 1: The Truth About Wasting Hours on Manual Tasks
6. 06The Truth About Wasting Hours on Manual Tasks
7. 07Chapter 1 Exercise
8. 08CHAPTER 2: What Changes When There Is a Method
9. 09What Changes When a Method Exists
10. 10Chapter 2 Exercise
11. 11CHAPTER 3: Before Starting: The Minimum Necessary
12. 12Before You Start: The Minimum Necessary
13. 13Chapter 3 Exercise
14. 14CHAPTER 4: Step 1 — Choosing the Starting Point
15. 15Step 1 — Choosing the Starting Point
16. 16Chapter 4 Exercise
17. 17CHAPTER 5: Step 2 — Setting Up Ready-to-Use Spreadsheets
18. 18Step 2 — Setting Up Ready-to-Use Spreadsheets
19. 19Chapter 5 Exercise
20. 20CHAPTER 6: Step 3 — The First Week in Practice
21. 21Step 3 — The First Week in Practice
22. 22Chapter 6 Exercise
23. 23CHAPTER 7: Step 4 — Measuring What Matters
24. 24Step 4 — Measuring What Matters
25. 25Chapter 7 Exercise
26. 26CHAPTER 8: Step 5—Adjusting Without Starting Over
27. 27Step 5 — Adjusting Without Restarting
28. 28Chapter 8 Exercise
29. 29Chapter 9: Costly Mistakes
30. 30The Mistakes That Cost Dearly
31. 31Chapter 9 Exercise
32. 32CHAPTER 10: Maintaining Momentum Without Relying on Motivation
33. 33Maintaining Momentum Without Relying on Motivation
34. 34Chapter 10 Exercise
35. 35CHAPTER 11: From Your First Automated Spreadsheet to the Next Level
36. 36From Your First Automated Spreadsheet to the Next Level
37. 37Chapter 11 Exercise
38. 38Conclusion
39. 39The Next 30 Days
40. 40READ ME.AI