Learn MS Excel Online: A Comprehensive Guide
Learning Microsoft Excel online is a fantastic way to enhance your spreadsheet skills, whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your advanced techniques. In this guide, you’ll find the best free and paid resources, tips, and strategies to help you master Excel at your own pace.
Best Free Resources to Learn Microsoft Excel Online
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GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course
Description: This free course is designed for marketers but is universally applicable. It covers common formulas, functions, and shortcuts, and can be completed in under two hours.
Features: Includes downloadable exercise files, reference guides, and a certificate of completion.
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HubSpot Excel Resources
Description: The “Excel in an Hour” course includes 16 easy-to-digest tutorial videos, downloadable exercise files, and a certificate of completion. It’s perfect for beginners with no prior knowledge of Excel.
Features: Unlimited quiz and test attempts, making it easy to apply new knowledge to real-world scenarios.
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Trump Excel
Description: This tutorial site offers a vast array of free resources, including over 100 Excel functions with examples and videos, Excel tips, VBA tips, and Excel charting tips.
Features: Free 51 Excel tips ebook, comprehensive training with 12+ hours of basic and advanced videos, and detailed tutorials on Excel Power Query, VBA, and dashboards.
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Introduction to MS Excel (Simplilearn)
Description: This free course provides seven hours of self-paced video lessons, covering essential spreadsheet features, data automation, data analysis, and report creation.
Features: Designed for beginners, includes a shareable certificate upon completion.
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Microsoft Excel – Improve Your Skills Quickly (Udemy)
Description: This course covers topics like conditional formatting, VLOOKUP, chart creation, and more. It includes hundreds of exercises and video tutorials embedded in a sample Excel spreadsheet.
Features: Trusted by top companies like Google and Eventbrite, this course is suitable for beginners and intermediate learners.
Paid Resources to Learn Microsoft Excel Online
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GoSkills Basic & Advanced Online Excel Courses
Description: These courses are CPD-accredited and designed to improve your skills quickly, whether you’re a novice or an expert. They cover real-world Excel knowledge, including reports, charts, data analysis, and project management.
Features: Includes personalized learning, award-winning instructors, and unlimited tests and quizzes. Compatible with Microsoft 365 and Excel for Windows 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010.
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DataCamp Excel Courses
Description: DataCamp offers beginner-friendly courses that start with the basics and gradually introduce more advanced concepts. Courses include topics like data analysis, data visualization, and advanced formulas.
Features: Practical projects to apply learned skills, such as building a monthly budget or analyzing sales data. Regularly updated content and a structured learning plan.
Tips for Learning Microsoft Excel Online
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Create a Learning Plan
Strategy: Break your learning into stages. Start with the basics (months 1-3), move to advanced topics (months 4-6), and finally explore features like macros and VBA (months 7-9).
Benefits: Focus on what’s most useful for your needs and build from there.
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Practice Regularly
Strategy: Use Excel daily, even for simple tasks. Apply what you know by solving real-world problems.
Benefits: Regular practice makes learning more effective and helps you remember formulas and functions better.
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Apply Excel to Real Projects
Strategy: Use Excel to solve real problems. For example, build a monthly budget, analyze sales data, or create a project management tool.
Benefits: Practical application helps you learn faster and retain information better.
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Explore VBA
Strategy: Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start practicing with VBA to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your workflow.
Benefits: Automating tasks saves time and increases productivity.
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Use Online Courses and Resources
Strategy: Utilize online courses and resources that offer step-by-step tutorials, keyboard shortcuts, and time-saving templates.
Benefits: These resources provide comprehensive learning and help you work smarter and faster.
Conclusion
Learning Microsoft Excel online is both accessible and beneficial, with a wide range of free and paid resources available. By following a structured learning plan, practicing regularly, and applying what you learn to real-world projects, you can master Excel and enhance your productivity. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, there’s always room to improve your Excel skills, and these tips and resources will guide you every step of the way.
For more in-depth training, explore our additional resources such as Mastering Microsoft Excel: A Comprehensive Tutorial or join our Comprehensive Excel Learning Course.
Support our mission at Excel Foundations by donating or purchasing our ebook.
Next Steps
- Choose a Learning Path: Decide whether you want to start with free resources like the GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course or delve into paid options such as GoSkills Basic & Advanced Online Excel Courses.
- Set a Regular Practice Schedule: Allocate specific times each week to use Excel. Incorporate exercises from courses and apply them to real-world tasks.
- Utilize Online Resources: Explore comprehensive tutorials and articles through platforms like Trump Excel and HubSpot’s Excel Resources for additional insights and techniques.
- Engage with Community: Join online communities or forums dedicated to Excel (like Reddit’s r/excel) to share your learning journey, ask questions, and gain advice from seasoned users.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a log of the skills you’ve acquired and projects you’ve completed to visualize your improvement over time.