How Excel & Google Sheets are Tested
Despite the hype around newer tools, Excel and Google Sheets are still foundational for data analysts, especially in big tech environments.
In every single informational interview we conducted with data analysts at top companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Shopify, spreadsheet tools were mentioned as one of the most-used platforms, second only to SQL.
A lot of the time, you won’t be explicitly asked if you know Excel. But interviewers will assume you’re fluent with it, just like they assume you can use a keyboard.
Why Excel/Sheets still matter
Even in the age of Python notebooks and fancy dashboards, Excel and Sheets remain:
- The fastest way to explore a new dataset
- A common ground between analysts, PMs, and ops teams
- A flexible tool for slicing, dicing, and sharing data in live meetings
Whether it’s reviewing sales by region, building lightweight dashboards, or doing ad hoc analysis during a team call—Excel still runs the business. And that means you need to be comfortable with it.
How Excel/Sheets are being evaluated during interviews
While there may not be a formal "Excel round", spreadsheet skills are often assessed throughout the interview process in three key ways:
These questions may show up in a take-home challenge, a virtual whiteboard session, or even live in a shared Google Sheet during a Zoom call. Don’t be caught off guard.
What's next
In the next lesson, we’ll walk you through the must-know Excel and Google Sheets skills every analyst should be fluent in. We’ll focus on what actually gets tested, and what actually helps you succeed on the job.
You don’t need to be a spreadsheet wizard. But you do need to be fluent enough to work fast, think clearly, and communicate insights without getting slowed down by the tool.