Best Beginner Excel Courses for Learning Microsoft Excel

Learning Microsoft Excel can be a daunting task, but with the right resources, anyone can become proficient. In this article, we will explore the top beginner Excel courses that can help you get started on your journey to mastering this powerful tool.

Top Beginner Excel Courses

1. Excel Skills for Business (Macquarie University)

Provider: Coursera
Instructors: Prashan S. M. Karunaratne, Nicky Bull, Yvonne Breyer
Level: Beginner
Workload: 26 hours
Enrollments: 934K
Rating: 4.9/5.0 (48K)
Certificate: Paid

This course is highly recommended for beginners. It covers the core components of the Excel interface, essential terminology, data selection, navigation, and basic data entry. The course also delves into formulas and functions, formatting, data management, and visualization. The pedagogical approach includes videos, practice exercises, and weekly challenges, making it engaging and interactive.

2. Everyday Excel (University of Colorado Boulder)

Provider: Coursera
Instructor: Charlie Nuttelman
Level: Beginner
Workload: 25 hours
Enrollments: 263K
Rating: 4.7/5.0 (3.3K)
Certificate: Paid

This course is a personal favorite for many learners. Charlie Nuttelman’s charismatic teaching approach makes complex concepts easy to grasp. The course focuses on practical problem-solving with in-application assignments and unique quiz formats. It covers foundational concepts like saving and navigating Excel files, cell referencing, and data visualization.

3. Excel: Fundamentos y Herramientas (Universitat Politècnica de València)

Provider: edX
Instructors: Victor Braquehais Acero, Jaime Busquets Mataix
Level: Beginner
Workload: 24 – 32 hours
Enrollments: 438K
Rating: 4.7/5.0 (608)
Certificate: Paid

This course is ideal for those unfamiliar with Excel or looking to deepen their knowledge. It covers all general topics of Excel in depth, including data entry, cell referencing, formatting, formulas and functions, data handling, and graphing. The course utilizes Excel 2010 but applies foundational concepts across Excel versions.

4. Excel for Everyone: Core Foundations (University of British Columbia)

Provider: edX
Instructor: Ricardo Rosado Trujeque
Level: Beginner
Workload: 24 – 36 hours
Enrollments: 185K
Rating: 4.6/5.0 (43)
Certificate: Paid

This course is designed to equip learners with essential Excel skills, from basic operations to advanced techniques. It focuses on business data analysis, particularly finance, making it valuable for any organization. The course includes bite-sized, interactive videos and real-world problems to reinforce learning.

5. Excel Basics for Data Analysis (IBM)

Provider: Coursera
Instructors: Sandip Saha Joy, Steve Ryan
Level: Beginner
Workload: 12 hours
Enrollments: 361K
Rating: 4.8/5.0 (8.1K)
Certificate: Paid

This course offers a concise and clear approach to grasping Excel essentials. It includes hands-on labs where learners engage in real-world Excel scenarios, covering foundational aspects like spreadsheet basics, data entry techniques, and advanced topics like data quality and pivot tables.

Additional Resources

1. Hands-On Excel Tutorial Beginner to Pro Course

Provider: YouTube
Workload: Varies

This comprehensive tutorial covers Excel basics and advanced features, including formula usage, Power Query, and Excel dashboard design. It is designed to transform learners into Excel pros through hands-on practice.

2. 7 Best Excel Courses to Take in 2025

This article lists the top Excel courses, including the Excel Skills for Business Specialization on Coursera and the Excel for Everyone Professional Certificate on edX. It also covers courses that focus on advanced formulas, data visualization, and automation with macros.

Tips for Learning Excel

• Start with the Basics: Practice the main Excel formulas and get comfortable with the interface. Focus on data entry and formatting to build a solid foundation.
• Move to Advanced Topics: Once you’re familiar with basic formulas, move to advanced functions like IF(), VLOOKUP(), and CONCATENATE(). Apply these functions in real-life scenarios to reinforce learning.
• Use Real Projects: Apply Excel to solve real-world problems. Start with simple projects like building a monthly budget or analyzing sales data to make learning more engaging.
• Practice Regularly: Use Excel daily, even for simple tasks. Regular practice helps in mastering Excel faster and more effectively.
• Explore VBA: Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start practicing with VBA to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your workflow.

By following these beginner Excel courses and tips, you can quickly become proficient in using Microsoft Excel for various tasks and projects. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to enhance your skills, these resources will guide you through the process of mastering Excel.

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Next Steps

1. Enroll in a Course: Choose one of the beginner Excel courses mentioned above, such as Excel Skills for Business or Everyday Excel, and start your journey towards Excel proficiency.
2. Follow a YouTube Tutorial: Check out the Hands-On Excel Tutorial for Beginners on YouTube to supplement your learning with practical examples.
3. Explore Additional Resources: Read our article on the 7 Best Excel Courses to Take in 2025 for more course recommendations and insights.
4. Practice Regularly: Implement what you learn by working on real-world examples such as budgeting, sales analysis, or personal projects. Regular application is key to mastering Excel.
5. Join Online Communities: Participate in forums or online groups focused on Excel to ask questions, share knowledge, and gain support from fellow learners.