Alexis Kestler
As a data analyst and spreadsheet power user, Excel is one of my go-to tools. But Excel is so versatile and feature-rich that it can seem daunting for a complete beginner. Where should you start?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my insights as an Excel expert on picking the best online Excel course as a beginner.
Whether you‘re a student, office worker, entrepreneur or aspiring data pro, developing basic Excel skills can be a game-changer for expanding your capabilities. Let‘s explore the journey together!
Why Learn Excel?
Before jumping into courses, it‘s worth stepping back and asking—why Excel? Here are some compelling reasons:
It‘s a Critical Skill for Many Roles – From analysts to accountants, project managers to executives, Excel is a must-have skill across industries. Employers regularly look for Excel proficiency.
It Enables Powerful Data Analysis – Excel gives you immense power to model, calculate, visualize and make sense of all kinds of data. It can handle large and complex datasets.
It Boosts Productivity – Entering data, organizing information, automating tasks—Excel makes you more efficient and productive. Even basic skills can save hours of work.
It Opens Up Job Opportunities – Excel expertise is highly valued. Adding it to your resume can really expand your career options and earning potential.
It Has Great Lifetime Value – Excel has been the gold standard for 30+ years. Once learned, those skills stay relevant and pay dividends for decades to come.
For all these reasons, Excel skills are absolutely worth investing in. And online courses provide an accessible path for beginners to start building competence and confidence.
What Will I Learn as a Beginner?
Jumping into advanced formulas and macros isn’t realistic if you’re just getting started. Beginner courses focus on giving you a rock-solid foundation with Excel fundamentals.
Here are some of the core skills a beginner Excel course will typically cover:
Navigating Excel – Become familiar with workbooks, worksheets, ribbons, tabs, cells, rows, columns. Easily find your way around.
Entering and Editing Data – Input different data types like text, numbers, dates. Edit cells. Use copy/paste.
Formatting Data – Format text, numbers, alignment, fonts, borders, fills to customize your spreadsheet.
Sorting and Filtering – Quickly sort and filter data to organize information.
Basic Formulas and Functions – Use formulas for calculations like SUM, AVERAGE, MAX/MIN. Reference cells.
Common Functions – Apply functions like VLOOKUP, COUNTIF for simple analysis.
Tables and Data Validation – Transform ranges into formatted tables. Validate data upon entry.
Conditional Formatting – Visualize data insights via color scales, data bars, and icons.
Intro to PivotTables – Summarize large datasets via PivotTables.
Basic Charting – Create column, bar, pie and line charts to visualize data.
Gaining skills in these areas will give you an excellent overall base to start working in Excel productively. Once the fundamentals are mastered, you can move on to more advanced abilities.
Choosing the Right Course Format
When evaluating Excel beginner courses, you‘ll find primarily two formats:
Self-Paced Courses – These provide lessons and materials for you to work through at your own pace. They include videos, readings, exercises, quizzes, practice files and more. You learn independently without an instructor. Examples are Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare.
Instructor-Led Courses – These take place live online or in-person on a fixed schedule. You attend video lectures and interact with instructors and fellow students. Examples are Coursera and edX courses.
So which type of course should a beginner choose? Here are some key differences:
Self-Paced
- Learn on your schedule
- Affordable access
- No instructor guidance
- Lessons can be repeated
Instructor-Led
- Live expert instruction
- Cohort for collaboration
- Provides feedback
- Less flexibility
For total beginners, I tend to recommend instructor-led courses. The opportunity to ask questions, get coaching, complete assignments and interact with peers can really help build skills and confidence from the ground up.
But a well-designed self-paced course can also deliver amazing value. And it gives you the flexibility to replay lessons until you achieve mastery.
Ultimately, assess your preferred pace and learning style. But rest assured both course formats can equip you with fundamental Excel skills.
6 Top Rated Beginner Excel Courses
Here are some of my favorite Excel beginner courses across different platforms and formats:
1. Excel Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning)
My top self-paced pick is this course on LinkedIn Learning, taught by industry expert Curt Frye.
Over nearly 5 hours of well-structured video content, Curt covers core skills like:
- Entering and formatting data
- Modifying rows, columns and cells
- Using SUM, AVERAGE, MAX/MIN, COUNT functions
- Creating and formatting basic charts
- Sorting and filtering data
- Recording simple macros
I like Curt’s clear teaching style, combined with ample practice files you can work through. As a LinkedIn member, you get access included with your subscription.
Key Details
- 5 hours of video content
- 38 exercise files
- Certificate of completion
- Free with LinkedIn membership
2. Excel Skills for Business Specialization (Coursera)
For instructor-led learning, this Coursera Specialization from Macquarie University is fantastic for beginners.
Spanning 6 courses and over 30 hours of material, it covers core skills like:
- Excel basics: Ribbons, tabs, cells, formatting
- Formulas, functions and formatting
- Tables, sorting, filtering, charts
- Dashboard creation
- Lookup formulas like VLOOKUP
- Macros and automation
I like learning from the expert instructors. And you can share and discuss with other students. It’s a great guided introduction.
Key Details
- 6 courses, over 30 hours of video
- Graded assignments
- Specialization Certificate
- Monthly Coursera subscription ($49/month)
3. Microsoft Excel for Beginners (edX)
This edX course from Curtin University delivers beginner training through expert video lessons and hands-on exercises.
The 5 week program teaches you how to:
- Navigate and enter data in Excel
- Use formulas and basic functions like SUM, AVERAGE
- Format cells and data
- Create and customize charts
- Sort, filter, and analyze datasets
It provides a balanced mix of instruction and practical application – a powerful combination for true beginners.
Key Details
- 5 weeks of material
- 2-4 hours per week
- Free audit or paid Verified Certificate ($99)
4. Excel Training for Beginners (Skillshare)
For bite-sized learning, Skillshare has this introductory Excel course with 27 short lessons totaling 1.5 hours of content.
Jake Baldino steps you through core skills like:
- Navigating Excel workbooks, ribbons, cells
- Entering and editing data
- Formatting text, numbers, fonts, styles
- Sorting and filtering data
- Basic formulas and functions
- Creating charts and visualizations
The quick videos make this course easy to fit into your schedule. And at around $20/month, Skillshare is very affordable.
Key Details
- 27 lessons, 1.5 hours of video
- Practice workbooks
- Access via Skillshare ($20/month subscription)
5. Excel for Everybody Basics (Coursera)
This introductory Basics course from University of Colorado Boulder covers Excel fundamentals interactively through hands-on assignments.
Over 6 weeks, you’ll learn to:
- Create and format basic worksheets
- Use mathematical operators and functions
- Import and export data
- Build charts, graphics and reports
It’s a free course allowing you to explore Excel at no cost. And it comes from a top university.
Key Details
- 6 weeks of material
- 1-2 hours per week
- Completely free access
6. Excel Crash Course (Udemy)
If you want a rapid overview, instructor Chris Dutton packs a 1.5 hour Excel intro course on Udemy with videos on:
- Navigating the Excel interface
- Entering, editing and formatting data
- Sorting and filtering
- Basic formulas and functions
- Creating charts
- Useful shortcuts
For around $20, think of this as “Excel First Aid” giving you familiarity before a deeper dive. The focused content helps build comfort.
Key Details
- 1.5 hours of video content
- 15 lectures
- Certificate of completion
- Full lifetime access for ~$20
This sampling demonstrates the breadth of options for gaining fundamental Excel skills through beginner-friendly online courses. Use the format and teaching style best suited to how you learn.
Making the Most of Your Course
To really get proficient with Excel, you need to engage actively with the course material. Here are some tips:
Take Notes – Actively jot down concepts from video lessons to reinforce retention.
Do All Assignments – Actually practicing skills is vital for developing muscle memory.
Use Sample Datasets – Apply what you learn to provided sample data to connect concepts.
Ask Questions – Leverage instructor access and community forums to get questions answered.
Repeat Difficult Lessons – Don’t be afraid to replay challenging material until it clicks.
Apply Skills – Practice entering your own data and executing analysis step-by-step.
Earn Certificates – Validating your skills through completing certifications shows employers you are serious.
Beginner Excel courses lay the foundation. But true mastery comes through use and practice over time. Stay curious!
Where To Go After a Beginner Course
Congratulations, you’ve completed your introductory Excel training! But the journey doesn’t stop here.
To continue advancing:
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Use Excel Regularly – Applying skills at work or in personal projects is crucial.
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Take Intermediate/Advanced Courses – Take your skills up levels with further specialized training.
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Learn More Functions – Get fluent with functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, etc.
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Study Dashboards/Visualization – Make your analysis visible and impactful.
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Explore Power Tools – Power Query, Power Pivot, Macros and VBA unlock deeper analysis.
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Practice with Real Data – Work through full analysis cases end-to-end.
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Read Books/Blogs – Supplement courses with focused Excel books and blogs.
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Join Communities – Excel forums like Reddit offer a wealth of wisdom.
Learning Excel is a continuous process. Beginner courses provide critical building blocks. Keep those foundations strong by practicing regularly and expanding your knowledge.
Start Your Excel Journey Today!
As you can see, there are amazing beginner Excel courses available online to launch your spreadsheet skills. Whether self-paced, instructor-led, free, or paid – there are fantastic options to fit your needs.
Choose a course that speaks to your learning preferences. Commit to actively engaging with the materials, not passively watching videos. Expect some concepts to take repetition and practice to stick. And complete assignments to turn lessons into real competencies.
Armed with fundamental Excel proficiency, you’ll be equipped to work faster, analyze better, advance careers or even start new ones!
Learning Excel can feel intimidating as a beginner. But stick with it, get support when needed, and have fun developing this empowering new skill!
The journey starts with your first course. So sign up today and let the learning begin!
