Best Online Excel Training for Learning Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a versatile and powerful tool that is essential for anyone looking to enhance their data management, analysis, and visualization skills. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, there are numerous online courses and resources available to help you master Excel. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the best online Excel training resources, categorized by level and focus.

Beginner Courses

1. Excel Skills for Business Specialization (Coursera)

Overview: This course is ideal for beginners, especially those with a business focus. It covers the fundamentals of Excel and progresses to advanced usage, focusing on business applications.

Syllabus

• Course 1: Excel Skills for Business: Essentials
  • Excel intro
  • Performing calculations
  • Formatting data
  • Working with data
  • Printing spreadsheets
  • Charting data
• Course 2: Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 1
  • Working with multiple worksheets and workbooks
  • Text and date functions
  • Named ranges
  • Summarizing data
  • Tables
  • Pivot tables, charts, and slicers
• Course 3: Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate 2
  • Data validation
  • Conditional logic
  • Automating Lookups
  • Formula auditing and protection
  • Data modeling
  • Recording macros
• Course 4: Excel Skills for Business: Advanced
  • Advanced data analysis techniques
  • Advanced charting and dashboards

2. Excel for Everyone Professional Certificate (edX)

Overview: This course is designed for complete beginners who feel less computer savvy. It covers the basics of Excel in detail, including text and formulas, basic Excel functions, and more.

Syllabus

• Excel fundamentals
• Using text and formulas
• Basic Excel functions
• Modifying and formatting data
• Inserting images and shapes
• Basic charts
• Printing worksheets
• Working with templates
• Working with lists
• Data validation
• Importing and exporting data
• PivotTables and PowerPivot

3. Excel Basics Free Course (YouTube)

Overview: This free course is ideal for those who prefer learning through YouTube. The instructor uses simple worksheet examples to make the content easy to understand and practice.

Syllabus

• Formatting, formulas, cell references, page setup
• Formula inputs and charts
• Basic Excel functions
• PivotTables to create summary reports
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Data alignment
• Number formatting
• IF and IS functions
• VLOOKUP function and relationships
• Tables
• Mixed cell references
• Style formatting
• Sorting, filtering, flash filling data
• Charts and graphs
• Power Query basics

Intermediate Courses

1. Excel Skills for Data Analytics and Visualization Specialization (Coursera)

Overview: This course is designed for those who already have some Excel experience and want to focus on data analytics and visualization. It covers advanced topics such as data validation, conditional logic, and automating tasks.

Syllabus

• Managing multiple worksheets and workbooks
• Analyzing data with datasets and tables
• Implementing What-If analysis
• Decision-making tools
• Date, logical, statistical, and financial functions

2. Excel Skills for Business Forecasting Specialization (Coursera)

Overview: This course is ideal for those interested in business forecasting. It covers advanced topics such as data modeling, formula auditing, and protection.

Syllabus

• Advanced data analysis techniques
• Advanced charting and dashboards

Advanced Courses

1. Excel VBA Programming – The Complete Guide (Udemy)

Overview: This course is designed for advanced users who want to learn VBA programming. It covers topics such as creating macros, automating tasks, and advanced data analysis.

Syllabus

• Introduction to VBA
• Creating macros
• Automating tasks
• Advanced data analysis

Additional Resources

1. GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course

Overview: This free course is designed for marketers and business owners who need a refresher in Excel fundamentals. It covers time-saving hacks and essential formulas and functions.

Syllabus

• Formatting
• Formulas
• Shortcuts

2. Microsoft’s Excel for Windows Training

Overview: This training resource is provided by Microsoft itself, offering a comprehensive guide to the latest version of Excel. It includes functional learning modules and short, practical topics.

Syllabus

• Data management
• Chart creation
• Collaboration tools

3. LinkedIn Learning

Overview: LinkedIn Learning offers a wide range of Excel courses, from beginner to advanced levels. It includes courses on essential training, VLOOKUP, and supply chain shipping analysis.

Syllabus

• Data analysis
• Chart creation
• Advanced formulas

4. eLearnExcel

Overview: eLearnExcel provides structured courses on Excel, including topics like conditional formatting, VLOOKUP, and chart creation. It offers hundreds of exercises and video tutorials.

Syllabus

• Data management
• Pivot tables
• Advanced data analysis

Tips for Learning Excel

• Start with the Basics: Begin with beginner courses that cover the fundamentals of Excel. This will ensure you have a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced topics.
• Practice Regularly: Practice is key to mastering Excel. Use the downloadable practice workbooks and example projects provided in many courses to reinforce your learning.
• Focus on Your Needs: Identify the specific skills you need to learn based on your profession or personal projects. This will help you choose the most relevant courses.
• Use Free Resources: Utilize free resources like YouTube tutorials and Microsoft’s official training to get started without spending money.
• Join a Community: Engage with online communities or forums dedicated to Excel users. This can provide additional support and tips from experienced users.

Explore More Learning Resources

By following these tips and choosing the right course based on your level and needs, you can efficiently learn Microsoft Excel and enhance your skills in data management, analysis, and visualization. For more information on various courses, check out our article on mastering Excel from basic to advanced courses.

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Next Steps

1. Choose Your Course: Based on your current skill level, select one of the recommended courses to start your Excel journey. For a more comprehensive comparison of various courses, check out our article on best Excel courses.
2. Practice Regularly: Download practice workbooks or use the example projects provided in your chosen course to apply what you learn. Consistent practice is crucial for mastering Excel.
3. Explore Free Resources: Take advantage of free resources like the Microsoft Excel training modules or YouTube tutorials to expand your learning without any cost.
4. Engage with the Community: Join online forums or social media groups dedicated to Excel. Engaging with others can provide you with support, answers to your questions, and tips from experienced users.
5. Follow Up with Advanced Learning: Once you’re comfortable with the basics, consider taking advanced courses, such as the Excel VBA Programming course on Udemy, to further enhance your skill set.