What the program contains (checked 29 October 2026)
The Coursera program page lists 9 courses at beginner level with no prior experience required. It names spreadsheets, SQL, Python and Tableau. The page's tools list also shows R and related tags, but its FAQ says R is not covered and Python is taught instead; trust the FAQ and the course titles. The listed course hours add up to about 152, while the page also says the program includes over 180 hours of instruction.
Cost: the FAQ says Coursera charges $49 a month in the U.S. and Canada after a 7-day free trial and that most learners finish for under $300. The page marks the program as included with Coursera Plus. It also says the certificate carries an ACE recommendation of up to 12 college credits, which each institution decides whether to accept.
| # | Course | Listed hours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations: Data, Data, Everywhere | 13 |
| 2 | Ask Questions to Make Data-Driven Decisions | 15 |
| 3 | Prepare Data for Exploration | 19 |
| 4 | Process Data from Dirty to Clean | 16 |
| 5 | Analyze Data to Answer Questions | 26 |
| 6 | Share Data Through the Art of Visualization | 19 |
| 7 | Introduction to Data Analysis Using Python | 27 |
| 8 | Google Data Analytics Capstone: Complete a Case Study | 11 |
| 9 | Accelerate Your Job Search with AI | 6 |
Use this original four-row dataset
The exercise uses invented sales records, not employer data or a copied course assessment. Row A is North with amount 10; row B is South with amount 20; row C is North with a blank amount; row D is South with amount 40. Amounts are unitless. A blank means unknown, not zero.
The download also contains planning and expected-result rows. Filter record_type to SYNTHETIC INPUT first; exactly four rows should remain. Answer three questions: what is the total of recorded amounts, how many amounts are known, and what cannot be concluded?
Preserve identifiers, dates, and blanks during CSV import — Automation Tools Compared — If loading the worksheet into a spreadsheet changes its values or columns, use the small import fixture to inspect parsing before calculating the exercise results.
| Row | Region | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A | North | 10 |
| B | South | 20 |
| C | North | Blank: unknown |
| D | South | 40 |
Check your result
There are four rows, three known amounts and one missing. The recorded total is 70. The mean of known amounts is 70 divided by 3, about 23.33. Recorded regional totals are North 10 and South 60. Neither the missing North sale nor the true total of all four sales is known.
Replacing the blank with zero would drop the mean to 17.5 and silently add an assumption. If you made that mistake, that is exactly the gap course 4 (cleaning) is for.
- Keep row C and label its amount unknown.
- Confirm 10 + 20 + 40 = 70 with a second, independent calculation.
- Label any chart as recorded amounts only and show the missing-value count.
- Write one limitation: four invented rows cannot show real regional performance.
Map where you got stuck to one course
Start in a tool you already have and note the exact step where you stop. If only one row in this table applies, studying that course during the free trial week may be enough to decide whether the rest of the program is worth paying for.
| Where you stalled | Course to inspect | What you should be able to produce after |
|---|---|---|
| Deciding what the question is | 2: Ask Questions | A one-sentence question and what would answer it |
| Treating the blank correctly | 4: Process Data from Dirty to Clean | A copy of the input plus a written missing-value rule |
| Grouping amounts by region | 5: Analyze Data (spreadsheets and SQL) | North 10, South 60, missing count kept |
| Repeating it in code | 7: Introduction to Data Analysis Using Python | The same totals with an explicit missing-value policy |
| Explaining the result | 6: Share Data Through Visualization | A labeled chart plus one written limitation |
Turn the attempt into a purchase decision
Budget check: at $49 a month, 4 months cost $196 and 6 months cost $294. At 10 hours a week, the 152 listed course hours alone take about 15 weeks, so the slower 6-month figure on the page leaves room for practice. At 5 hours a week, plan on roughly 7 months, about $343. After you study, rerun the exercise with different invented numbers to check you can transfer the method rather than repeat the answer.
| Path | Choose it when | Do not treat it as |
|---|---|---|
| Free exercise only | You finished the four-row task correctly with tools you have | Proof you are job-ready |
| Google Data Analytics at $49 a month | Two or more rows of the mapping table apply | An employment outcome |
| Coursera Plus | You will also take other included programs in the same months | Coverage of every Coursera product |
| Existing access | An employer or current subscription already includes the program | A reason to add a second bill |
Questions before you decide
If I already finished the exercise correctly, should I enroll?
Not automatically. If you can already complete the task independently, keep your current tools and keep practicing. Enroll when an attempt reveals a specific skill you still need, and use the mapping table to find the course that teaches it.
Does Google Data Analytics teach R or Python?
Python. The program FAQ fetched on 29 October 2026 says R is not covered and Python is taught instead, even though R tags still appear in the page's tools list. Course 7 is Introduction to Data Analysis Using Python.
How much does the Google Data Analytics certificate cost?
The program page says $49 a month in the U.S. and Canada after a 7-day free trial, and that most learners finish for under $300. It is also listed as included with Coursera Plus.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Coursera: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (courses, hours, price FAQ) Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- Grow with Google: Google Career Certificates Accessed 29 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.