This article will explore the benefits of pursuing a Microsoft Excel certification, as well as the requirements to achieve Associate, Expert, or Master-level Excel certification.

What is Microsoft Excel?

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application that was designed to organize data and numbers using functions and formulas. Excel places data such as formulas, numbers, or text, into cells within rows and columns. This app allows users to organize data, as well as perform calculations on it. In addition, Excel can create PivotTables, charts, or graphs that visually depict the data. Subscriptions to Microsoft 365, which include Excel and other productivity applications, are available for personal and business use. 

Why Become Certified in Microsoft Excel?

As more and more data is being created, the need to process it and make sense of it all is greater than ever. While many new tools, applications, and platforms continue to emerge to help manage and analyze this data, Microsoft Excel remains the go-to across industries. However, not everyone who learned Excel in high school or college remembers the ins and outs of this spreadsheet application, especially its latest features. While college business majors typically receive Excel training as part of their coursework, most other degree programs don’t require proficiency in Excel. For those who want to brush up on their Excel skills but aren’t enrolled in business school or another related industry, the good news is that there are many learning options available. 

Pursuing a certification in Microsoft Excel is a great way to stand out to hiring managers and potential employers, and show them that you have the necessary Excel skills to work with spreadsheets. Some jobs may even require an Excel certification as a prerequisite to applying for a job. It shows from the start that you can execute comprehensive data analysis on large datasets, manage workbooks, make PivotTables, and work with VBA to create macros for automating repetitive tasks. Not just that, but Excel certification also lets employers know that you have invested the time and work into studying Excel enough to pass one or more exams on this app.

Those who are interested in demonstrating their Excel skills have the option of pursuing Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. 

What Does it Take to Earn MOS Certification?

MOS Certification is available in the core Microsoft applications: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access, and Outlook. The exam that’s required for certification asks testers to complete a series of tasks using the specified application and to do within the time limit and using only a certain number of keyboard clicks. These limitations are imposed to ensure that test-taker knows the program they are being tested on well enough that they don’t have to search through toolbars or menus to complete the task. 

There is no standard for academic or professional eligibility requirement that must be completed to take the MOS certification in Excel. Candidates must have the latest software on their computer to take the online exam:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Windows Vista SP2 or higher
  • Adobe lash Player 10.0 or higher
  • .Net Framework 4.0 or higher
  • A high-speed internet connection
  • Internet Explorer

After you apply to take the exam, you will be sent a date for the test, as well as practice materials, which are provided by the Microsoft IT Academy. It’s a good idea to review not only study guide material but to download practice exams as well. This will ensure that you have a feel for the structure of the exam. Free trial exams are available through various online companies. It’s also important to review the latest Excel features since certification requires that you are up-to-date on this app’s most current version.

The MOS exam is performance-based and is conducted in a live or simulated environment. You will be asked to execute a set of Excel tasks by completing a relatively short project. Test-takers have one hour to complete all exam questions. In order to pass, a minimum score of 700 is required. Those who pass the exam are given recognition from Microsoft, which is sent in the mail following successful completion of the test.

There are three levels of certification available specific to Excel: Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate Certification, Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert Certification, and Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Master Certification:

  • Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate Certification: In order to achieve this level of certification, you must indicate that you know the fundamental aspects of Excel, such as how to create and manage Excel worksheets and workbooks. In addition, you will also need to know how to create cells, ranges, and tables, and use functions and formulas to make objects and charts.
  • Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert Certification: This certification shows that you can make, manage, and share professional-grade spreadsheets that can be used for various situations or purposes. Those who achieve this certification level know how to format data, manage workbook settings and options, create advanced macros and formulas, and work with advanced tables and charts.
  • Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Master Certification: Those who achieve Master-level MOS certification achieve a mastery of not just one Office app but four. It requires passing the Expert-level exams in Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as the exam in PowerPoint and one other Office app, such as Outlook or Access. This is the highest tier of Microsoft Office certification.

Which Fields Value Excel Certification?

While knowledge of Excel has applications in nearly every profession, it’s even more essential in certain fields. The following are a few examples of professions where knowing Excel is a must:

  • Digital marketing
  • Market research
  • Business intelligence
  • Data analytics
  • Financial analytics
  • Accounting
  • Auditing

Associate or Expert certification in Microsoft Excel is a worthwhile and attainable pursuit for those who commit to studying the ins and outs of Excel.

Learn More About Excel with Hands-On Classes

For those who may not be ready to commit to an intensive Excel certification program, the good news is that Noble Desktop has you covered. They currently offer a variety of 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. 

Noble Desktop’s Excel Bootcamp provides a great option for those who want to master core Excel concepts, such as working with VLOOKUP and PivotTables, as well as perform What-If Analysis. Students who enroll in this rigorous, 21-hour course can elect to study in person in Manhattan or learn in the live online environment. This small class comes with the option of a free retake and covers a variety of Excel concepts applicable to the business world. 

Those interested in studying close to home can also browse over 400 in-person Microsoft Office classes in a city near you to find local Excel study options.