Where to Find Excel Classes

Once you’ve committed to learning Microsoft Excel, you may not be certain where to turn to search for classes at your ability level. Because of how widespread Excel use is in all industries and professions, many training options are available from educators around the globe. Coursework is offered in person and online and is available for those who are just getting started working with spreadsheets, as well as more seasoned Excel users interested in acquiring intermediate or advanced-level training for their current profession. Each form of coursework has its unique incentives and limitations, which is why it’s important for aspiring students to be aware of the differences between types of schools and training options.

Noble Desktop and Other Professional Training Centers 

If you’re interested in finding Excel coursework close to home, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool is a great resource for locating bootcamps, certificate programs, and professional training centers in Excel. The courses you’ll find using this search feature won’t just provide you with hands-on training in using spreadsheets but often include professional development perks to ensure that those who graduate can find a career path in which they can put their Excel knowledge to work. The Excel classes listed are available at all levels and can accommodate learners who have never before worked with spreadsheets or data, as well as Data Analysts interested in exploring advanced-level Excel skills like how to create macros to automate cleaning and formatting data, visualizing data findings, or performing complex computations in just seconds.

Colleges and Universities

While Microsoft Excel knowledge is a useful skill in the college setting, it’s not offered as a stand-alone major for students. This is because the career paths that require Excel expertise put it to use for tasks like data organization and analysis, which are staples of other fields. That said, many colleges and universities still offer coursework in Excel. For majors like accounting, business analytics, finance, or data analytics, Excel spreadsheet knowledge is a must. Curricula in these degrees sometimes specify that students complete one or more Excel courses to earn their degree. This will prepare them to use this industry-standard application in whichever career path they pursue.

Those interested in learning Excel on its own are better off enrolling in a more focused, shorter class, such as an in-person or live online bootcamp. Instead of having to wait four years to put this training to use, bootcamp graduates can begin using their Excel knowledge immediately upon graduation. These programs are much shorter (and more affordable) than college study. They also ensure that students can devote all their efforts to Excel study rather than splitting their time and energy among other educational requirements.

Coursera, Udemy, and Other On-demand Platforms

Learners who find it difficult to attend live coursework, such as that which is provided in bootcamps or college courses, may prefer the flexibility of learning Microsoft Excel through on-demand content. On-demand spreadsheet coursework is pre-recorded and placed online. Tutorials, blogs, and videos are made available to students to watch at any time they wish, from any location with a strong internet connection. This type of training not only allows students to complete coursework as their schedule permits but also allows them to determine their own study speed. Many educators worldwide offer self-paced coursework, including Skillshare, Coursera, and Udemy. These courses are often a good way to begin studying Excel or to gain a basic understanding of how to navigate this app’s interface. Some on-demand content even extends into the field of data analytics or business analytics and provides Excel instruction as a component of this umbrella topic.

On-demand Excel training has its benefits and drawbacks. Cost-wise, these classes are often a much more affordable study option than live coursework. Some Excel content is even available for free, which may make it enticing for some students because it can provide a low-stakes way to begin learning Excel. However, it’s important to keep in mind that when you’re watching a video recording of an Excel class, there’s no way to ask questions or receive clarification, even on difficult concepts. This means that if you can’t figure out how to perform a particular calculation, it’s up to you to figure this out independently. Also, some shortcuts provided in online training material apply to Macs, whereas others are for PC users. This may confuse some who are trying to follow along with on-demand Excel training.

Free Resources/YouTube

Whether you’re new to Excel or have years of experience working with spreadsheets and interested in filling in skill gaps, many free spreadsheet resources and tutorials are available online on platforms like YouTube that can provide useful knowledge in a range of Excel features and functions. Since Excel is so prevalent across job paths and industries, free online resources can be an excellent way to learn a specific Excel skill, such as how to format cells or search for a range of values. Thousands of videos and other resources are available from top educators around the globe and posted for free online. If you have a specific Excel question, you can search for an answer online and likely find a free resource that can provide clarification. Before selecting free Excel training content, however, it’s important to keep in mind that these classes only provide cursory training rather than an in-depth exploration of the Excel application in its entirety. Most individuals, especially those who will be using Excel for daily work tasks in accounting, data analytics, finance, or data science, will likely need a more structured training environment at some point in their educational path than can be exclusively provided by free online resources.

Learn Excel with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online Excel courses for anyone interested in learning how to work with spreadsheets. These classes are available to those who are just getting started using spreadsheets, as well as professionals with real-world Excel knowledge who are hoping to learn more advanced skills. All Noble programs offer learners hands-on training in the small class environment and include the option of a free course retake for one full year.

Excel Level I: Fundamentals is an excellent study option for students who are new to spreadsheets. This one-day class covers the essential spreadsheet skills you’ll need to get started working with this application, including how to navigate its interface. Participants explore basic calculations, functions, graphs, formatting, and printing. This program was created for those with limited experience with Excel and who want to become more proficient.

Noble also offers Excel Level 2: Intermediate for students who want to build on their prior Excel training and take their skills further. This short program covers topics like how to work with SUMIFs and VLOOKUP. Participants learn how PivotTables are used to summarize data, become familiar with how to split and join text and study how to sort and filter databases. Before enrolling, prospective learners should have completed Excel Level 1 or possess a similar skill set and have knowledge of formulas, formatting, functions, and printing.

Additionally, Noble’s Excel Level 3: Advanced is offered for students interested in mastering this application’s complicated features. This course covers how to use complex functions like INDEX-Double MATCH and VLOOKUP-MATCH, fully leverage advanced analytics tools, and write macros to save time and improve workplace efficiency. Students interested in enrolling should have proficiency with spreadsheets equivalent to Noble’s Intermediate Excel course, which includes knowledge of IF statements, VLOOKUP, and PivotTables.

In addition to shorter skills classes, Noble also offers a bootcamp with more comprehensive spreadsheet training. In Excel Bootcamp, students progress from Excel beginners to pros over the course of several days. This hands-on program is a combination of shorter beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses and provides learners with the skills needed to work with functions and formulas, create macros, and use PivotTables.