MBA Ready - Executive

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Computer Skills

As a student in Duke's Executive MBA program, you'll use the personal computer as a key tool, both for accomplishing a variety of analysis and presentation tasks and for communication. You are advised to be very comfortable with communication and business software, particularly spreadsheet software, before you enter the program.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Pre-program Preparation

Before the program begins you may decide to take a course or courses that will help you learn or review the software skills you need to have when you arrive. A university continuing education department or community college in your area may have suitable offerings. Look for courses on these topics:

  • Computer, Connectivity, and Web Basics
  • Word Processing (especially MS Word)
  • Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Spreadsheets (especially MS Excel 2007)

To review or preview MS Excel 2007 spreadsheet concepts on your own, consider using the following:

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Microsoft Excel Exercises

Microsoft Office Online Excel 2007 Courses

A number of useful Excel introductory texts and reference guides are listed below. Links are to online vendors; however, these texts are generally available from many online sources and the computer sections of big bookstores.

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Video/CD ROM Excel Courses

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Excel Web Sites

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