Free Alternatives to Excel for Data Cleaning

Pretty much every data rookie starts with Excel. It is a wonderful program for storing, cleaning and analysing (yes, you read that correctly) your data. Strictly speaking, Excel isn't free, but really – who pays for it these days? If you buy a Windows PC or laptop it'll usually come pre-installed, and if you get a new PC at work your employer will have it pre-installed for you. If you're prepared to look the other way, there are guys who know guys who can get you a copy that fell off the back of a lorry, but I wouldn't endorse that.