Comprehensive Guide to Basic Excel Training Online

Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for anyone looking to improve their data analysis, reporting, and productivity skills. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, there are numerous online resources available to help you master the basics of Excel. Here’s a detailed guide to the best online resources for basic Excel training:

Available Online Resources

1. GoSkills Excel Training

Features: GoSkills offers premium video tutorials, award-winning instructors, personalized learning, and the opportunity to earn Microsoft Excel certification.

Course Overview: The course is CPD-accredited and covers everything from navigating the Excel interface to advanced data analysis and project management. It includes downloadable exercise files and solutions, allowing you to practice what you learn.

Pricing: GoSkills offers a 7-day free trial, with subscription options starting at $39 per month billed monthly or $20.75 per month billed yearly.

2. HubSpot Excel Resources

Free Resources: HubSpot offers a free Excel for Marketers course in collaboration with GoSkills. This course is designed for busy professionals and covers essential formulas, functions, and shortcuts.

Additional Resources: HubSpot also provides a range of other free Excel resources, including tutorials and guides.

3. Microsoft’s Excel for Windows Training

Official Training: Microsoft’s official training page offers a wealth of free tutorials covering the latest version of Excel. The training is organized into functional learning modules, making it easy to understand and practical.

Features: The videos are broken down into short topics, making it straightforward and easy to follow.

4. The Spreadsheet Page

Templates and Guides: This resource provides professionally designed Excel templates that can be downloaded for free. It also offers guides on formatting, filters, and conditional formatting.

Features: The course is designed for those who want to develop their Microsoft Excel skills quickly, including those using older versions of Excel. It includes practice activities to help learners gain hands-on experience.

5. LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

Variety of Courses: LinkedIn Learning offers a vast array of Excel courses, including “Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365)” and “Excel: VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP for Beginners.”

Features: Courses include exercise files, assessments, and video transcripts. Premium subscriptions provide unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning.

6. eLearnExcel

Comprehensive Training: eLearnExcel provides a range of Excel certification courses for all skill levels. The courses are designed to accommodate busy learners and include bite-sized lessons with video tutorials, practical exercises, short quizzes, transcripts, and quick reference guides.

7. IU Expand: Excel Essentials Series

Structured Learning: This series includes five courses and a final online exam. Each course covers essential features of Excel, such as basic automation using macros, and includes step-by-step instruction, exercise files, and quizzes.

Features: The series is fully online and self-paced, with each course taking approximately two to four hours to complete.

Tips for Learning Basic Excel

• Start with the Basics: Begin with understanding the Excel interface, including the Ribbon and work surface. Practice creating your first file, entering data, and formatting cells.
• Use Free Resources: Utilize free resources like Microsoft’s official training page and The Spreadsheet Page for templates and guides.
• Practice with Exercise Files: Download exercise files from courses like GoSkills and IU Expand to practice what you learn.
• Focus on Formulas and Functions: Learn basic math functions like SUM, ROUND, and SUBTOTAL, as well as more advanced functions like VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP.
• Master Data Analysis: Understand how to prepare data for analysis by organizing and filtering it. Learn to use PivotTables to summarize large data sets.
• Automate Repetitive Tasks: Discover how to automate repetitive tasks using macros and VBA.
• Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn essential keyboard shortcuts to make quick changes to cell values and improve your productivity.
• Join Online Communities: Participate in online communities like Microsoft Community forums to ask questions and get feedback from other users.

Conclusion

Mastering basic Excel skills is essential for anyone looking to improve their productivity and data analysis capabilities. With the numerous online resources available, from premium courses like GoSkills to free tutorials from Microsoft, there’s something for every learner. By following these tips and utilizing the best online resources, you can quickly become proficient in Microsoft Excel and unlock its full potential.

Additional Resources

• Free Excel Spreadsheets: For practice, you can download free Excel spreadsheets from websites like Vertex42.com and use them alongside tutorial videos from GCF LearnFree.
• Daily 10-Minute Email Course: Spreadsheeto offers a daily 10-minute email course to help you learn Excel in a short period.
• YouTube Tutorials: Channels like YouTube offer extensive tutorials, such as the “Master Excel Basics in NO TIME” video, which covers essential topics like formatting and cell styles.

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Explore More

For further insights, check out our articles on mastering Excel and the best online Excel training options.

Next Steps

1. Enroll in an Online Course: Start with a structured approach by enrolling in a course like GoSkills Excel Training, which offers tailored lessons and certification options.
2. Explore Free Resources: Take advantage of Microsoft’s official training for free tutorials and practical exercises to solidify your understanding of Excel.
3. Practice Regularly: Download exercise files and templates from The Spreadsheet Page and practice your skills consistently.
4. Join Online Communities: Sign up for forums like the Microsoft Community to connect with other learners, ask questions, and share your learning journey.
5. Watch Tutorial Videos: Check out YouTube channels for comprehensive lessons on Excel. A great start is the video titled “Master Excel Basics in NO TIME” for quick tips and tricks.
6. Consider Certification: If you want to enhance your resume, consider taking certification courses like those offered by eLearnExcel to validate your Excel skills.