Best Free Online Excel Courses for Learning Microsoft Excel
Mastering Microsoft Excel is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance your productivity and open up numerous professional opportunities. Fortunately, there are many high-quality, free online Excel courses available from reputable institutions and platforms. Here are some of the best free online Excel courses to help you learn Microsoft Excel:
1. Excel Efficiency Essentials by Financial Edge Training
Provider: Financial Edge Training
Duration: Self-paced
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
This concise and practical course is designed to boost your efficiency in Excel. It covers essential shortcuts, tips, and tricks to help you work faster and more effectively with Excel. It’s perfect for both beginners and intermediate users looking to streamline their workflow and improve their productivity in handling spreadsheets.
2. Excel Skills for Business: Essentials by Macquarie University
Provider: Coursera (Macquarie University)
Duration: 6 weeks, 2-4 hours per week
Level: Beginner
This course from Macquarie University is part of a broader Excel Skills for Business specialization. It starts with the basics, covering essential functions and features of Excel, and gradually builds up to more complex tasks. You’ll learn how to create and format spreadsheets, use basic formulas, and manage data effectively. It’s an excellent starting point for anyone new to Excel.
3. LinkedIn Learning: Master Microsoft Excel
Provider: LinkedIn
Duration: 12h 50m of content
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
LinkedIn Learning offers a comprehensive course that covers a wide range of topics in Microsoft Excel. From basic functions to advanced data analysis, this course is designed to help you master the tool. It’s ideal for both beginners and intermediate users who want to enhance their skills.
4. Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis by IBM
Provider: Coursera (IBM)
Duration: 4 weeks, 2-4 hours per week
Level: Beginner
This course, offered by IBM, provides a solid foundation in using Excel for data analysis. It covers essential skills such as data manipulation, basic functions and formulas, and introductory data visualization. By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the fundamental skills needed to perform basic data analysis tasks in Excel.
5. GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course
Provider: GoSkills & HubSpot Academy
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Level: Beginner
This course is designed for marketers and business owners who need to quickly get up to speed with Excel’s most common formulas, functions, and shortcuts. It’s perfect for those who need a refresher in Excel fundamentals and offers time-saving hacks to simplify your workflow. You’ll also receive a shiny certificate of achievement upon completion.
6. Microsoft’s Excel for Windows Training
Provider: Microsoft
Duration: Varies
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Microsoft provides a comprehensive resource hub for all Microsoft Office applications, including Excel. The training includes a variety of free tutorials that cover the latest version of Excel, organized into functional learning modules. The videos are practical, straightforward, and easy to understand, making it a great resource for learners of all levels.
7. The Spreadsheet Page
Provider: The Spreadsheet Page
Duration: Varies (dependent on template complexity)
Level: Beginner to Advanced
The Spreadsheet Page offers professionally designed Excel templates that you can download at no cost. These templates cover a wide range of applications, including to-do lists, invoices, budgets, and calendars. This resource is ideal for those who need practical examples to apply their Excel skills.
8. Excel in an Hour
Provider: The Spreadsheet Page
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Level: Beginner
This course includes 16 easy-to-digest Excel tutorial videos, downloadable exercise files, reference guides, and unlimited quiz and test attempts. It’s designed to help beginners quickly learn the most common formulas, functions, and tools needed to handle everyday Excel tasks with ease. You can also earn a certificate of completion.
9. Trump Excel
Provider: Trump Excel
Duration: Varies (dependent on topic complexity)
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Trump Excel offers a vast array of free Excel tutorials and videos, including 100+ Excel functions with examples and videos, Excel tips to boost productivity, and Excel VBA tips to automate repetitive tasks. The site also provides Excel charting tips, dashboard tutorials, and downloadable templates. Additionally, there is a free 51 Excel tips ebook available for download.
10. Introduction to MS Excel by Simplilearn
Provider: Simplilearn
Duration: 7 hours of self-paced video lessons
Level: Beginner
This free training course from Simplilearn covers essential spreadsheet features, how to automate activities, analyze data, create reports, and use Excel for real-world tasks. It’s great for beginners and those who have never used Excel before. You can also earn a shareable certificate upon completion.
Tips for Learning Microsoft Excel
- Start with the Basics: Begin with courses that cover the fundamentals of Excel, such as the Excel Skills for Business: Essentials course by Macquarie University.
- Practice Regularly: Use downloadable exercise files and practice worksheets to apply new knowledge to real-world scenarios, as seen in the Excel in an Hour course.
- Focus on Your Needs: Tailor your learning to your specific needs. For example, if you’re a marketer, the Excel for Marketers course by GoSkills and HubSpot Academy might be more relevant.
- Use Practical Resources: Utilize practical resources like templates and tutorials from The Spreadsheet Page and Trump Excel to apply your skills in real-world scenarios.
- Earn Certificates: Many courses offer certificates of completion, which can be a great way to demonstrate your skills to potential employers, as seen in the Excel in an Hour and Introduction to MS Excel courses.
By following these tips and utilizing the best free online Excel courses, you can master Microsoft Excel and enhance your productivity and professional opportunities. Happy learning!
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Next Steps
- Enroll in a Course: Start your Excel learning journey by enrolling in one of the recommended free online courses listed above. For a comprehensive overview, check out “Top 5 Free Excel Courses for 2024” for additional options.
- Practice with Real Data: Download practice workbooks from courses like Excel in an Hour to apply what you’ve learned and reinforce your knowledge.
- Utilize Additional Resources: Explore The Spreadsheet Page for free templates and tutorials that can help you apply your skills in real-world scenarios.
- Get Certified: Choose courses that offer certificates, such as “Introduction to MS Excel by Simplilearn,” to help enhance your resume and showcase your Excel skills to potential employers.
- Join Online Communities: Engage with other learners in forums and online communities such as Reddit or LinkedIn groups focused on Excel to share tips, ask questions, and find additional resources.