Excel is a spreadsheet application within the Microsoft Office 365 Suite. Users can create, store, organize, analyze, and visualize data through Excel. It is often used for performing calculations and automating tasks as well. In addition, Excel is incredibly intuitive and works with other applications and software, making it one of the most sought-after skills in a variety of job positions.
Created in 1985, Excel has become a fixture in the professional world due to its versatility and general user-friendliness. Excel users can work in finance, healthcare, education, data management, and manufacturing, to name a few industries. Even having base-level skills in Excel can prove beneficial throughout the job acquisition process.
What Can You Do with Excel Training?
Excel is used in numerous professional settings and industries, making it one of the most useful skills to acquire. Many employers look for applicants with basic skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Excel or Word. With proper Excel training, you may be asked to take on more responsibilities in the workplace, which can garner more respect and opportunities.
However, many learn how to use Excel for personal reasons as it’s an incredibly useful way to manage information. Some users manage their finances on Excel, so they have a way to maintain a budget and handle expenses. Learning how to do this can help you save up for a future endeavor such as a vacation. Excel can even be used to plan a trip by creating a travel itinerary template. From packing and to-do lists to budgeting and planning, Excel can be useful in managing your day-to-day life.
Learning Excel can be the starting place to use other Microsoft applications such as Word or PowerPoint. Microsoft Office is used in virtually every industry and job position. Most employers require employees to know how to use Outlook or Teams for departmental communications or Word for document creation. Professionals also use PowerPoint to share data visualizations, updated plans, and new ideas with coworkers.
What Will I Learn in an Excel Class?
Students will learn a plethora of skills in an Excel class. Virtually all Excel classes will teach students how to manage their spreadsheets, including the most useful functions, tips, and features. Depending on the type of course, some may cover Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). This is a programming language used on Microsoft Office applications like Excel. Additionally, some courses may teach other programming languages that can be used in Excel such as Python. Most courses will also teach students how to create basic data visualizations such as charts, tables, and graphs within the application. Some courses are specific to one industry, so some may learn financial modeling in a finance-based course.
How Hard is It to Learn Excel?
Everyone learns new skills differently, and some find Excel fairly simplistic to learn whereas others may experience more challenges. In addition, there is a stark difference between having basic skills and becoming an expert in Excel. It is easier to gain a surface-level understanding of Excel than professional-level skills.
What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Excel?
This may also differ from person to person since difficulty is subjective. Some students find using PivotTables most challenging, but others find creating complex macros incredibly demanding since it requires writing lengthy scripts. Troubleshooting errors can also be rather puzzling depending on how intricate the error may be.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Excel?
Each Excel course differs in difficulty and length. Generally, students can learn theory behind and the basic functions of Excel within a few days. It may take a few weeks to a few months to gain more intermediate and advanced skills. When a student enrolls in an Excel course, they should consider whether they want to gain foundational skills or professional-level knowledge of Excel. This will determine how long the learning process will be, as it takes longer to become an expert.
Should I Learn Excel in Person or Online?
Students have many course options at their disposal. In particular, students can choose from asynchronous, live online, and in-person courses. Depending on the individual’s reason for learning and previous experience, one course may be better than the other. Asynchronous courses are self-paced, allowing students to learn at their own pace and in comfortable settings. This is fine for those with ample experience but may be challenging for beginners who will have to take time out of their day to research questions and troubleshooting techniques.
For a more interactive approach, students may choose live online courses. These classes allow students of all kinds to learn from home while still learning alongside their virtual classmates and instructors. While students often purchase their own course materials for live online classes, this can vary. Students must also have a quiet place to learn and a strong Wi-Fi connection, but this option provides ample interaction and instruction for beginners and intermediates alike.
Most students learn best when enrolled in a traditional in-person course. This method is hands-on and allows students to complete projects alongside like-minded individuals. Students can also ask the instructor for feedback and get direct assistance with errors. This requires students to have reliable transportation and time to make a commute but can also lead to increased learning acquisition and networking opportunities.
Can I Learn Excel Free Online?
There are ample online resources that hopeful Excel professionals can use to help them along their learning journey. For instance, Noble Desktop offers free seminars that provide more pre-recorded lectures on different topics and tools. This is an easy, effective way to gain more insight into a new skill. However, it is important to note that these resources are supplemental at best. While they may assist with the learning process, a certified training course is the best bet for gaining professional-level skills.
What Should I Learn Alongside Excel?
Students who learn Excel often know multiple Microsoft Office applications. For instance, many use Word throughout school and in their professional career. Those who work in data, sales, education, and other fields may choose to learn PowerPoint. Other notable Microsoft Office applications include Teams, Outlook, Access, and Project, which can all be useful depending on the field and job position you intend to pursue.
Excel manages data but can also be used to create basic data visualizations. As a result, many choose to learn a variety of data visualization tools like Tableau. Some who work in fields like digital marketing may learn design applications like those within Adobe Creative Cloud. Users can import Excel files on applications such as Adobe Illustrator to streamline their design process. These are just a few of the many skills Excel users may choose to acquire throughout their learning journey.
Industries That Use Excel
Excel has myriad uses across different industries and workplaces. For instance, the technology industry hires experts who use Excel for budgeting and data analytics. Additionally, travel companies may use Excel to manage their bookings and schedules. Those who work in retail can use Excel to track products and stock prices as well as to anticipate changes in the market. Likewise, healthcare professionals also use Excel to perform data analytics, determine improved treatment plans, and predict community health outcomes. Excel is one of the most widely used applications in the professional world, so it is highly suggested that everyone learn theory behind Excel and some basic functions.
Excel Job Titles and Salaries
Experience using Excel can be useful when searching for a job, as many require beginner-level knowledge of this spreadsheet application. Here are a few job titles and their salaries where Excel expertise may be needed.
Digital Analyst
A Digital Analyst determines, visualizes, and presents marketing outcomes based on interpreted data. They show the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of each marketing tactic and present ways to improve various digital campaigns. They frequently use software such as Excel, Google Analytics, Power BI, and Tableau to perform their job tasks. During an average week, Digital Analysts handle datasets, write code, conduct tests, research digital trends, and manage deadlines. The average Digital Analyst in the United States earns around $88,000 but can easily earn over $100,000. However, an individual’s salary can depend on factors like experience, level of education, or the company’s size.
Accountant
Accountants manage and prepare finances for a business or client. They have strong skills in mathematics, financial concepts, business, and software like Excel, QuickBooks, or Zoho. Their workday mainly consists of collecting financial information from clients, creating reports, calculating outcomes, and putting together tax returns. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average annual wage for Accountants in the United States is roughly $91,000. Like other career paths, education level and time spent in the field may determine a person’s salary. Generally, Accountants can expect a salary ranging from $80,000 to $104,000.
IT Project Manager
An IT Project Manager plans, organizes, and manages IT resources and projects for an organization or department. They often develop software, install hardware, update computer programs, and manage company data. In addition, they have proficiency in Excel, Agile, and Scrum. IT Project Managers also handle multiple projects at once, so they have strong time management and budgeting skills. They generally make a profitable yearly salary of around $99,000 but can anticipate a salary anywhere between $94,000 and $119,000 depending on personal factors.
Private Equity Associate
Lastly, Private Equity Associates analyze and monitor data for private equity firms and identify investment opportunities for their clients. They regularly analyze data, monitor client stock portfolios, and raise capital for new investment opportunities. They have proficiency in Excel, QuickBooks, financial modeling, investing, and other financial concepts. They can earn a salary ranging anywhere from $58,000 to $117,000, but in the U.S. the average is closer to $114,000. A Private Equity Associate’s salary may heavily depend on their previous experience, level of education, and the company for which they work.
Excel Classes Near Me
Noble Desktop offers a three-day Excel Bootcamp that guides students through PivotTables, macros, formulas, and other essential functions in Excel. Through hands-on activities, students will learn to create basic charts, use functions like VLOOKUP, and create basic macros. They will also practice using What-If Analytics. Plus, the instructor will show students techniques that optimize workflow and save time. At Noble Desktop, students can access a plethora of additional resources and benefits. This includes free setup assistance, workbooks, and a supplemental video suite to aid throughout the learning process. Additionally, students can retake the course at no additional cost within one year of their enrollment. Lastly, students will earn a digital certificate of completion to serve as proof of their newly acquired Excel skills.
In addition, the Excel Programming with VBA course from Noble Desktop is ideal for those who regularly use Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) in their job role. Throughout the 12 hours of instruction, students will learn how to use this coding language to automate tasks and streamline workflow. Students will create customized commands and learn to create their own worksheet functions. Additionally, they will learn how to program basic macros, use variables, and troubleshoot errors. Similar to other Noble Desktop offerings, students in this course can access setup assistance and a free retake of the course. They will also receive a verified digital certificate once the course ends.
At Skillspire, students will learn necessary data analytics tools in their 16-week Intro to Data Analytics and Data Science course. Specifically, students will practice using Excel and Power BI for data visualization and use coding languages like SQL and Python. Additionally, students will gain familiarity with ChatGPT. Students will be able to develop a professional portfolio and build upon their resumes with hands-on projects. Notably, students will be given a certificate of completion upon passing the course and final exam.
The Excel Charts, Formatting, and Reporting class from Business Computer Skills is ideal for those who regularly use Excel in their work. Students will learn how to format their charts, create templates, and manage conditional formatting structures. Additionally, students will learn how to use Excel with other Microsoft products such as Word and PowerPoint. In this course, students have access to a free training manual and ample practice problems and can retake the course for free.
NetCom Learning hosts a Data Mining course that focuses on predictive analytics with Microsoft SQL Server services, PowerPivot in Excel, and data mining add-ins. Over three days, students will learn the interface of Excel and utilize its different features. They will learn how to configure named calculations and queries, as well as use different models and mining structures. In addition, students will learn the various tools that help make the data mining process easier. Students in this class should have some experience with Excel and understand the foundations of business analytics.
Lastly, the Business Analytics with Excel Masterclass from The Knowledge Academy provides students with an in-depth overview of essential business analytics skills. Students in this course will learn how to use functions like MATCH, INDEX, AND LOOKUP. Additionally, they will learn how to use Solver, which helps with scheduling, financial planning, and solving distribution problems. Through a series of hands-on projects, students will also handle data within Excel and use PivotTables to explain the datasets. Students in this course will have access to full IT support, Wi-Fi, and video equipment. In addition, this course will prepare them for certification.
Excel Corporate Training
There are in-person and live online corporate training options that provide your team with the most updated, industry-standard information on Excel. Your employees will leave the session feeling confident enough to bring their newly acquired or recently polished skills to the workplace. Noble Desktop offers training options in various subjects, software, and tools, including Excel.
Additionally, Noble Desktop offers your organization the chance to purchase bulk vouchers for attendance in regular classes at a discounted rate. Corporate training can enhance collaboration and cohesion amongst coworkers, so there is no better time to enroll. For more information, please contact Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com to discuss training, pricing, and scheduling options.