Learning Microsoft Excel can be a daunting task, especially if you have to learn this application fast. This article will provide some tips for how to quickly learn more about using this spreadsheet software, as well as some resources for guidance along the way.
How to Learn Excel Fast
There is no one “right” way to learn Microsoft Excel. Instead, there are different learning options available to suit the needs of each individual’s situation, background, and professional goals. While some people studied Excel in high school and college, others didn’t receive formal training with this spreadsheet application and now have to play catch-up to make up for lost time.
Although some employers are willing to provide their employees with initial or ongoing Excel training, other jobs require a knowledge of Excel as a prerequisite. Some positions even seek out candidates who already have advanced spreadsheet skills. If you’re looking to learn the basics about how to use Excel, how to perform more advanced functions, or looking for help with just one component of Excel, the following list will explore some helpful tips and study options so that you can quickly learn to work this spreadsheet software:
- Create a learning plan that’s most suited to your professional needs. Most Excel users don’t need to master all of the nuances of this application; instead, they have to learn the Excel tools and functions best suited to their industry and job. A great starting point on your journey is to learn the basics of the Excel interface, then ask your boss or coworkers what functions and features are used the most in the workplace. Then, you can start adding from there.
- Break it down. If you want to learn how to use Excel and learn fast, it’s important to break it down into components rather than attempt to learn all of the functions and features at once. Try learning one individual process, shortcut, or function at a time before moving on to the next. Once you’ve mastered a concept such as creating a basic bar graph, you can then build from this knowledge and apply it to more complex Excel data visualizations, like creating Gantt charts or thermometer charts.
- Start with the basics. Many Excel users start by learning the fundamentals of Excel, like SUM and AVERAGE, before trying to tackle advanced functions such as SUMIFS or goal seek. Devoting a few hours from the start to understanding core Excel techniques provides a solid foundation to build from as you add on more complex Excel skills.
- Revisit the basics. Once you have a core understanding of how to work with an Excel worksheet and have moved on to more complex Excel concepts, it’s a good idea to do a quick refresher of the basics. This helps you return to any shortcuts you learned early on, such as ALT + H + H to fill in color, and ensures that you know how to perform this function manually if necessary.
- Learn by using real-world examples. Most learners retain the information they are studying much better when it has real-world applications. The same is true with Excel. While it’s possible to memorize shortcuts and functions of this application and then apply them to various scenarios, many learners would find more value in learning these shortcuts and functions as they work through real-world scenarios like calculating the future value of how much a CD would be worth once it has matured or quickly figuring out which donors to a political campaign pledged more than $1,000 in the last election.
- Watch YouTube videos. Thousands of YouTube videos are available that are devoted exclusively to Microsoft Excel. In addition to being free, often these videos provide short bursts of instruction on a particular Excel function or tool, such as Noble Desktop’s two-minute tutorial on how to work with sparklines or Leila Gharini’s five-minute trick about how to unstack data from one column to multiple columns. These topic-specific videos are a great way to get help with a specific Excel action when you’re short on time. They also can be accessed from any device, as needed.
- Take a class. Studying Excel online or in-person is a great way to learn more about this application. Because Excel is so widely used across industries, many different types of classes are available, such as Excel Easy’s tutorials that cover specific Excel topics in each chapter, or Excel instruction for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students through Noble Desktop’s seven-hour Excel courses. For those who are more comfortable studying in the in-person environment, Noble also offers a tool with which you can search by zip code for Excel learning options close to home.
- Don’t try to learn everything all at once. Even if you’re in a hurry to figure Excel out, keep in mind that it takes most learners time and practice to move beyond the basics of this app into more advanced functions, shortcuts, and formatting features. Just like any skill that must be learned, the more you work with Excel over time to become familiar with the look, feel, and functionality of the worksheets and workbooks, the more fluent you will become with this app. Don’t expect to master Excel in a day, let alone a week. Once you have learned the basics of Excel, from there you can tailor how you learn this application to your own needs, time constraints, and professional focus.
Get Started Learning Excel with Hands-On Classes
A great way to learn more about Microsoft Excel is to enroll in one of Noble Desktop’s Excel courses in NYC and live online. Classes are available for those who are new to Excel, as well as learners who regularly work with this spreadsheet application and wish to brush up on their skills. In addition, there are also in-person and live online Excel courses available through Noble Desktop or one of its affiliate schools. A variety of course options are offered, ranging in duration from three hours to two days and costing between $229 and $1,099.
Those interested in studying Excel close to home can also browse over 140 in-person Microsoft Excel classes to find nearby study options. Courses are available that vary in duration from three hours to five days, and range in price from $110-$8,749.