Why Excel and Google Sheets Remain the Main Tools for Analysts
Even in 2026, when artificial intelligence has penetrated all spheres, spreadsheets remain the foundation of business analytics. Excel and Google Sheets are not just "cells" for tracking expenses. They are powerful platforms for data processing, forecasting, and routine automation. But there's a nuance: to use them 100%, you need to spend dozens of hours learning formulas, pivot tables, and macros.
This is where AI comes to the rescue. Modern algorithms can not only suggest a formula but also explain the logic behind a function, generate a practice example, or analyze a complex error in a macro. Learning with AI on the ASI Biont platform makes this process much more efficient—you get personalized tasks and explanations without being tied to boring video tutorials.
How AI Accelerates Mastering Spreadsheets
Traditional courses often suffer from being template-based: the same example for everyone. A neural network, however, adapts to your level. If you're confident with VLOOKUP but struggle with INDEX+MATCH, AI will generate exactly the exercises that fill that gap.
Here are several scenarios where an AI assistant is indispensable:
- Formula Explanation — instead of dry documentation, you get a breakdown using real data: why SUMIFS calculates exactly that way and not otherwise.
- Case Generation — the neural network creates a task tailored to your field: from calculating ad ROI to analyzing sales by region.
- Macro Automation — AI writes a VBA script template, and you just adapt it to your spreadsheet.
This approach turns a course on Excel and Google Sheets from passive viewing into active exploration. You don't just memorize algorithms—you learn to think like an analyst.
What You Really Need to Know About Working with Spreadsheets in 2026
The market is flooded with courses promising "everything at once." But if you strip away the marketing, the key skills can be summarized in a few blocks:
| Skill | Why It's Needed | Example Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Basic formulas and references | Quick calculation of metrics without manual entry | Calculating average check by day of the week |
| Pivot tables | Analyzing large data sets | Sales breakdown by managers and months |
| Conditional formatting | Visual highlighting of anomalies | Highlighting cells with revenue drop >20% |
| Macros and scripts | Automating repetitive tasks | Daily data export and cleaning from CRM |
Mastering these elements allows you to process data 5-10 times faster than with manual methods. And automation with macros turns routine into a single button press.
Practical Example: How AI Helped Create a Sales Forecast
Imagine you have data from the past year for 50 products. You need to build a forecast for the next quarter. Without skills in spreadsheets, you'd spend a day on manual calculations. With an AI assistant, the process looks like this:
- You upload the data to Google Sheets.
- AI suggests which type of trend line is best for your data (linear, logarithmic, etc.).
- The neural network generates a formula with FORECAST and explains why it chose that method.
- You check the result and adjust parameters.
Result: instead of a day's work—20 minutes, and the forecast quality improves due to the correct model selection.
Why Choose ASI Biont for Learning
The ASI Biont platform offers a unique format: learning with AI, where the neural network acts as a mentor. You don't watch hours of video—you solve tasks, and AI adjusts the difficulty based on your progress. The entire course on Excel and Google Sheets is designed so you immediately apply knowledge in practice.
And most importantly: 100% free. No hidden fees, freemium models, or "first three lessons as a gift." All modules, tests, and AI-generated tasks are available immediately after registration. This is not a trial—it's full-fledged learning without restrictions.
Conclusion
Working with data is a skill,
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