Learn More About Excel in New Jersey
Microsoft Excel is a popular spreadsheet program that was first released in 1985 and is used by millions of people in countries throughout the world. It began as a simple spreadsheet but has evolved into a sophisticated business and data analysis tool, with hundreds of different functions. With this application, users can run complex calculations, manage data, and create charts and graphs. Excel also has its own programming language, which is called Visual Basic for Applications. If you work in business, finance, data analysis, or project management, you’re likely to use this application.
What Can You Do with Excel Training?
Excel is an industry-standard program frequently used in various business, finance, data analysis, and project management roles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts above-average job growth in many of these fields over the next decade and finds that pay is generally above average. For instance, it reports that the median pay for Accountants and Auditors is nearly $80,000 per year and predicts that between 2023 and 2033, accounting and auditing jobs will increase by 6 percent. For Project Management Specialists, median pay is $98,000, and the job increase is expected to be 7 percent, according to the BLS. The median pay for Financial Analysts is almost $100,000, with a 9 percent projected job increase, and for Data Scientists, it is $108,000, with a 36 percent projected job increase.
What Will I Learn in an Excel Class?
Data Entry and Formatting
When you take an Excel class, you’ll learn data entry, which is a fundamental Excel skill. You’ll also learn how to search and how to sort data. In addition, an Excel class will cover formatting, which makes your data easier to understand and work with.
Functions
When you learn to use Excel, you’ll learn to use functions, which are predefined formulas that you can use to perform calculations in Excel. These calculations are performed using specific values in a particular order. Some commonly used Excel functions are “SUM, ” “AVERAGE, ” and “VLOOKUP.”
Visualization
Excel contains a variety of tools that you can use to present data visually, and you’ll learn about these when you take a class. For instance, you can create a variety of charts and tables. Visualizations can help you better understand your data and are also a good way to share it with other people.
An Excel class may also cover advanced tools. For instance, you might learn to use macros to create custom functions, which allows you to automate tasks. PivotTables are another advanced tool that allows you to summarize data from large datasets.
Analytical Thinking
As you learn Excel, you’ll develop your analytical thinking skills. Most of the things you do with this program—including examining data critically, drawing conclusions, and finding relationships—require analytical thinking.
How Hard Is It to Learn Excel?
Most people find that it is relatively easy to learn the basics of Excel and start using it for simple tasks. However, Excel also has many advanced features, which will be more difficult to master. With dedication and practice, though, almost anyone can learn to use this program. If you’re feeling intimidated by Excel’s many tools, experts advise starting with the basics and mastering those before trying to use advanced features.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Excel?
You can learn some basic Excel skills pretty quickly and should be able to start using it for simple tasks within a matter of days. Learning to use more advanced features takes longer; however, most people are able to start using these within weeks. If you already have experience with spreadsheets or know how to work with data, you’re likely to learn more quickly. A paid Excel class can also help speed up the learning process because you’ll get guidance and feedback from an expert.
Should I Learn Excel In Person or Online?
In-person and online classes are both popular ways to learn this program, and each format has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of how to learn will depend on your unique situation. In-person classes are one of the most immersive and engaging ways to learn Excel, and this traditional learning method remains popular. When you learn in person, you’ll get face-to-face instruction and have the opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, and network with other students. In addition, you’ll be in a classroom that is dedicated to learning, so there will be minimal outside distractions. A disadvantage is that you’ll have to commute to class. In addition, you’ll be limited to classes that are located near you.
Live online instruction is another popular way to learn Excel. Like in-person learning, live online classes take place in real-time; however, rather than being physically present in a classroom, with live online learning, you log in via your computer. This means you have the flexibility to attend from anywhere you want. When you take a live online class, you’ll still be able to ask questions and get feedback, and you’ll still have opportunities to network with other students. If you learn online, you’re likely to have more class options since you won’t have to commute to class. However, when you take an online class, you’ll probably have to provide your own equipment and software.
New Jersey Industries That Use Excel
Excel is a versatile program that is used in many different industries. It is commonly used in office jobs—which exist in a wide range of industries—for tasks such as entering and managing data. Project management—which also exists in many different industries—is another field where Excel is used. Project Managers use it to organize and track various elements of their projects. Excel is also a popular tool in finance and business, used to organize and manipulate financial data. Finally, this program is popular in data analytics, where it is used to manage, modify, and analyze large amounts of data. According to Business.NJ.gov, the major industries in New Jersey include life sciences, IT, financial services, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and transportation. IBIS World, which provides industry analysis and forecasts for many different locations, reports that the state of New Jersey is the tenth-largest employer in the country.
Financial institutions in New Jersey, such as Prudential Financial, PGIM, and Bank of America’s New Jersey offices, are heavy users of Excel for tasks like financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and risk analysis. Analysts, Accountants, and operations teams use Excel daily to manage large datasets, automate reports, and streamline internal processes. In the energy sector, companies like PSEG and NRG Energy use Excel to track energy production, analyze market data, and manage complex regulatory and compliance reporting, making spreadsheet proficiency essential for many roles.
New Jersey’s robust pharmaceutical and healthcare industries also depend on Excel for data organization, research tracking, and project management. Major companies like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb use Excel to manage clinical trial data, monitor supply chains, and conduct statistical analysis. Even industries such as consumer goods and food manufacturing—represented by companies like Campbell Soup Company and Benjamin Moore—rely on Excel for inventory management, sales reporting, and performance analytics.
Excel Job Titles and Salaries in New Jersey
Accountant
Accountants are responsible for many of the financial tasks related to running a business. Some of the things they do include recording and tracking financial transactions, analyzing records, making sure that the business is in compliance with the law, preparing budgets, and providing financial advice. Excel is often used by Accountants. People who work in this field should have good attention to detail, strong time management skills, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills. In New Jersey, Indeed reports that the average annual salary for an Accountant is $68,000.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts analyze financial data and trends and use their insights to help individuals and businesses make good financial decisions. This job involves reviewing data, creating financial models, preparing reports and visualizations, and making recommendations. Financial Analysts need to be good at critical thinking, problem-solving, and communicating. According to Indeed, they earn an average yearly salary of $79,000 in New Jersey.
Project Manager
Project Managers often use Excel as an organizational tool. This job involves overseeing the completion of various types of projects, from start to finish. Project managers plan and budget, manage team resources and team members, communicate with clients, vendors, and teammates, track progress, and deal with any obstacles that come up. They should be good at communicating, organizing, motivating, and resolving conflicts. According to Indeed, the average annual salary for a New Jersey Project Manager is $90,000.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists gather data and analyze it so that they can understand it better. They use their analysis to solve a variety of problems and to provide actionable insights related to the data. Data Scientists also work on models and algorithms to help them better analyze their data. This job involves communicating findings with a variety of visualization tools. Data Scientists need to be skilled in math and programming. They should also be intuitive, creative, and good problem-solvers. As reported by Indeed, the average annual salary for a New Jersey Data Scientist is $105,000.
Excel Classes in New Jersey
New York City-based Noble Desktop offers a variety of different Excel classes, both in-person, at its Manhattan campus, and live online. This school was founded in 1990 and is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Its courses include a certificate of completion and the option of a free retake within a year. The multi-day Excel Bootcamp is designed to take you from beginner to pro level. You’ll learn a wide range of different Excel skills, including basic functions, charts, and formatting, and advanced skills like creating macros and using advanced database functions.
Noble also offers shorter classes that are designed for various levels of experience, including Excel Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 is focused on getting familiar with the interface, entering data, using essential formulas and functions, and creating charts. You’ll also learn how to format and print. Level 2 covers splitting and joining text, adding data validation, named ranges, database functions, adding logical statements, and using Pivot Tables. In addition, you will learn to use statistical functions and create advanced combo charts. In Level 3, instructors cover advanced concepts including cell locking, auditing, hotkeys, formatting for calculating dates, advanced functions, advanced analytical tools, and PivotCharts. You’ll also learn to use advanced database functions and record macros.
Another Noble Desktop option is the Excel certification program. The Excel Specialist Certification Program includes three Excel courses: fundamental, intermediate, and advanced, where you’ll gain proficiency in Excel. You’ll also get two hours of private training. After that, you will take the Excel Specialist exam. The course fee includes proctoring and a free exam retake if needed. You’ll also get free lifetime access to Noble’s Excel video courses.
Excel Corporate Training in New Jersey
By training your employees in Excel, you can help your workplace run more efficiently. Noble Desktop offers corporate Excel training, with both onsite and virtual options available. You can choose from a variety of existing courses or customize content to fit your needs. Noble’s instructors have both teaching experience and real-world experience using Excel and can provide a variety of flexible scheduling options. In addition, all trainees will receive post-training support materials to help reinforce what they have learned and answer any additional questions that they have after leaving the training.
Another popular training option for companies that want to help their employees become fluent in Excel is to purchase vouchers for Noble’s regular group classes. With this option, employees can enroll individually, allowing them to find a class that works with their schedule. There is a discount for bulk voucher purchases. Email Noble Desktop to get more information about corporate Excel training.