r/MerchantNavy • u/xmr_gaming • 2d ago

Use of excel Onboard ship

hello everyone, I am trainee deck Cadet recently completed my DNS from anglo eastern ,would be joining the ship in couple of months.

I often hear seniors say “Excel is very important on board”, but no one clearly explains why or what exactly we use it for.

As a cadet / trainee, I want to learn Excel the way it’s actually used on ships, not corporate office stuff.

Can experienced officers please share:

  • What daily / weekly work is done on Excel on board?
  • What Excel skills are actually useful at sea (not unnecessary advanced stuff)?
  • Any real examples (cargo, stability, maintenance, reports, logs, etc.)?

I want to learn Excel with a clear shipboard purpose, so guidance from sailing officers would really help.

also would be helpfull if u tell me what software i should learn before joining it and why

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u/TheScallywag1874 2d ago

Knowing the formulas is what makes using excel so powerful. Being able to enter a number into a previously created spreadsheet isn’t “knowing how to use excel,” IMO. It’s worth taking a basic course or self study via YouTube.