Learning Microsoft Excel Online for Free: A Comprehensive Guide

Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for data analysis, budgeting, and project management. Whether you’re a marketer, freelancer, entrepreneur, or business owner, having basic Excel skills can significantly enhance your productivity. Here is a curated list of top-notch free resources to help you learn Excel spreadsheets online free.

1. YouTube Tutorials

• Excel for Beginners – The Complete Course
  Video: “Excel for Beginners – The Complete Course” by Technology for Teachers and Students (32:49)
  Content: This video covers the basics of Excel, including spreadsheet terminology, creating and saving workbooks, entering values, formulas, functions, formatting, and chart creation. It’s an excellent starting point for beginners.
• Excel Tutorial for Beginners
  Video: “Excel Tutorial for Beginners” by Kevin Stratvert (2 hours)
  Content: This tutorial covers essential topics like entering data, formatting, conditional formatting, sorting, filtering, charts, and pivot tables. It’s designed to be completed in just two hours.
• Master Excel Basics in NO TIME
  Video: “Master Excel Basics in NO TIME” by Excel Basics Class (various sections)
  Content: This video covers basic Excel terminology and layout, navigating the interface, saving workbooks, entering column headers, formatting columns and rows, and using cell styles. It’s a detailed guide for those new to Excel.

2. Udemy Courses

• Useful Excel for Beginners
  Course: “Useful Excel for Beginners” by Dinesh Natarajan Mohan (9.5 hours, 89 videos)
  Content: This free course is designed for those who have never used Excel before or are at the beginner level. It covers fundamental topics like creating and saving workbooks, entering data, formulas, functions, and formatting. The course uses data related to a book store for practical exercises.

3. HubSpot Academy Resources

• Excel for Marketers Course
  Course: This free course is part of the GoSkills and HubSpot Academy collaboration, focusing on common Excel formulas, functions, and shortcuts. It’s designed for busy professionals and can be completed in under two hours, including time-saving hacks and providing a certificate of achievement upon completion.

Tips for Learning Excel Online

• Start with the Basics: Begin with understanding the layout and terminology of Excel. This will help you navigate the interface more efficiently.
• Practice with Real-World Data: Use practical examples, such as a book store or financial data, to make learning more engaging and applicable.
• Focus on Formulas and Functions: Mastering basic formulas and functions like SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, and COUNT will help you perform common tasks quickly.
• Explore Advanced Features: Once you have a solid grasp on the basics, move on to advanced features like conditional formatting, sorting, filtering, charts, and pivot tables.
• Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Learning keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow and make you more efficient in Excel.
• Join Online Communities: Participate in online forums or communities dedicated to Excel to ask questions, share tips, and learn from others.
• Download Free Templates: Utilize free Excel templates available online to practice your skills and create professional-looking spreadsheets.

By leveraging these resources and following these tips, you can become proficient in Microsoft Excel and enhance your productivity in various professional settings. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refresh your skills, these resources will guide you through the process of mastering Excel.

For more advanced tips, check out our article on advanced Excel tricks to take your skills to the next level.

Support our mission at Excel Foundations by donating or purchasing our ebook for a deeper dive into mastering Microsoft Excel!

Next Steps

1. Explore YouTube Tutorials: Start with our recommended video tutorial, “Excel for Beginners – The Complete Course“, to solidify your understanding of basic Excel functionalities.
2. Enroll in Free Online Courses: Visit Udemy to find free courses like “Useful Excel for Beginners” that can provide structured learning.
3. Complete HubSpot Academy’s Course: Take advantage of the Excel for Marketers Course to learn essential Excel skills specific to marketing applications.
4. Practice with Real Data: Download our sample data set from “Excel Foundations” and apply what you’ve learned by creating your own spreadsheets.
5. Join Online Communities: Engage with communities on platforms like Reddit or ExcelForum to ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from other Excel users.