In this Python course you learn to program through tasks from everyday office work, and it is meant for beginners without programming experience. You work with variables, functions, lists and dictionaries, read and write files, analyse tables with pandas and finally build a small automation script. The focus is on readable code and understanding error messages. The current Python 3 documentation serves as the reference.
What you’ll take away.
- Use variables, loops, conditions and functions in your own scripts
- Use lists, dictionaries and strings for typical data tasks
- Process files and folders with pathlib as well as CSV and Excel tables
- Read error messages and handle them with try and except
- Design and test a script that automates a routine task
Your training in detail
- Who is it for?
- Office, controlling and administration staff as well as career changers who want to automate tasks with code.
- Prerequisites
- No programming knowledge. Confident handling of files and folders on a computer is expected.
- Format & planning
- Suggested format: 3 days (about 7 hours each) live online or on site by arrangement. Scope depends on prior knowledge.
Agenda: from understanding to application
Our independently developed agenda proposal. Focus areas, lab environment and scope are agreed before booking.
Setup with Python 3, virtual environments, an editor and the terminal, plus the first run of a script.
Fundamentals: data types, variables, if and for, functions and readable naming following PEP 8.
Data structures: lists, tuples, dictionaries, sets and list comprehensions using order and customer lists.
Files and paths with pathlib, reading and writing CSV, searching text files and sorting folders.
Tables with pandas: loading DataFrames, filtering, grouping, merging and exporting to an Excel file.
Error handling, simple tests with assert and a final project that automates a routine task.
Suggested exercise: Write a script that reads monthly CSV exports from a folder, merges them, totals by category and saves the result as an Excel file.
Exams, licences & credentials
The Python Institute offers its own exams for Python. Attending the course alone awards no vendor certification. Exam fees are only included if confirmed in the offer.
Vendor references & review date
Sources checked on 2026-11-03. These sources describe the technology or external exam requirements. They do not imply a partnership with NextNowa.
Your learning content
These objectives describe the training topic. The specific syllabus, duration, dates, trainer and price are agreed before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I learn Python without programming experience?
Yes, the course starts from zero. You learn through small tasks such as renaming files or analysing a list. What matters is a willingness to experiment, because programming is learned mainly by typing it yourself. Short exercises between course days help consolidate what you learned.
Python or Excel: which is worth learning first?
For lists up to a few thousand rows and one-off analyses, Excel is often enough. Python pays off when the same work recurs regularly, many files must be merged or the data volume slows Excel down. Confident use of spreadsheets helps you get started but is not required.
Do I need a powerful computer for the course?
No. An ordinary office laptop running Windows, macOS or Linux is enough. We set up Python and an editor together. If installing software is not allowed on your work computer, we agree an alternative before the session, such as a browser-based environment or another machine.
Does Practical Python include a certificate?
The Python Institute offers its own exams for Python. Attending the course alone awards no vendor certification. Exam fees are only included if confirmed in the offer.