Free Online Courses to Learn 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 courses and resources to help you learn Microsoft Excel:

1. Alison’s Free Excel Courses

Alison offers a wide range of free online Excel courses suitable for both beginners and intermediate users. These courses provide clear and concise explanations of Excel’s many features and functions, helping learners to overcome the complexities of the software.

2. GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course

This course is one of the best free Excel resources available. It covers common formulas, functions, and shortcuts, making it perfect for marketers, business owners, and other professionals. The course is designed to be completed in under two hours and offers a certificate of achievement upon completion.

3. Microsoft’s Excel for Windows Training

Microsoft’s official training page offers 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 broken down into short topics and modules that are practical, straightforward, and easy to understand.

4. The Spreadsheet Page

The Spreadsheet Page provides professionally designed Excel templates that can be downloaded at no cost. These templates are customizable for personal, business, and educational purposes. Additionally, the site includes “Excel in an Hour,” which offers 16 easy-to-digest tutorial videos, downloadable exercise files, and a certificate of completion.

5. Trump Excel

Trump Excel is a tutorial site created by Sumit Bansal, a Microsoft Excel MVP award winner. It offers a vast number of free Excel tutorials and videos, including 100+ Excel functions with examples and videos, Excel tips for boosting productivity, and Excel VBA tips for automating repetitive tasks. The site also provides free courses on topics like Excel Power Query, VBA, and dashboards.

6. Introduction to MS Excel by Simplilearn

Simplilearn offers a free training course that includes seven hours of self-paced video lessons. This course is ideal for beginners and covers essential spreadsheet features, data automation, data analysis, and report creation. Upon completion, learners can earn a shareable certificate.

7. Excel Efficiency Essentials by Financial Edge Training

Financial Edge Training provides a concise and practical course designed to boost your efficiency in Excel. This course 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.

8. Excel Skills for Business: Essentials by Macquarie University

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.

9. LinkedIn Learning: Master Microsoft Excel

LinkedIn Learning offers a comprehensive course that covers both beginner and intermediate levels. The course includes 12 hours and 50 minutes of content, making it a thorough resource for those looking to master Excel.

10. Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis by IBM

IBM’s course 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.

Additional Resources

• Vertex42.com: Offers free download files to go along with Excel lessons and tips.
• Zapier’s Guide to Mastering Excel Online: Provides a comprehensive guide to mastering Excel online.
• Step-by-Step Learning Videos From GCF LearnFree: Includes step-by-step learning videos for beginners.
• Spreadsheeto’s Daily 10-Minute Email Course: Offers a daily 10-minute email course to learn Excel.
• Chandoo’s Excel Tutorials: Includes 80 links to learn Excel by topic.
• MS Office Training Center: Provides links to all MS apps, including Excel tutorials.

Tips for Learning Excel

1. Start with the Basics: Begin with courses that cover the fundamentals of Excel, such as creating and formatting spreadsheets, using basic formulas, and managing data effectively.
2. Practice with Templates: Use professionally designed templates to practice your skills and apply new knowledge to real-world scenarios.
3. Focus on Efficiency: Learn essential shortcuts, tips, and tricks to work faster and more effectively with Excel.
4. Join Online Communities: Participate in online communities and forums to get tips and advice from experienced users.
5. Take Advantage of Free Resources: Utilize the numerous free resources available online, including tutorials, videos, and downloadable exercise files.

Conclusion

Mastering Microsoft Excel is a valuable skill that can significantly enhance your productivity and open up numerous professional opportunities. With these free online courses and resources, you can learn the basics and advanced features of Excel without spending a penny. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your intermediate skills, these courses will help you take your Excel skills to the next level.

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Next Steps

1. Enroll in Free Courses: Start your Excel learning journey by enrolling in one of the free courses mentioned in this article. For a wide range of free Excel courses, check out Alison’s Excel Courses.
2. Practice Regularly: Apply what you learn by downloading Excel templates from The Spreadsheet Page. These templates can help you practice your skills in real-world scenarios.
3. Join Online Communities: Engage with fellow learners and experienced users by joining online forums and communities such as Excel Reddit or dedicated Facebook groups for Excel enthusiasts.
4. Utilize Additional Resources: Enhance your learning by exploring other free resources like GCF LearnFree for step-by-step learning videos or Zapier’s Guide for mastering Excel online. Access these resources through our comprehensive guide.
5. Challenge Yourself: Once you’re comfortable with the basics, try more advanced courses such as IBM’s Excel Fundamentals for Data Analysis to further develop your skills.