Microsoft Excel is an industry-standard spreadsheet program that allows users to format, organize, and calculate data. Excel has been on the market for four decades, and while it’s been widely imitated, no other software has come close to challenging its market share. In fact, according to one estimate by McMaster University, 750 million people use Excel worldwide.
For some, mastering Excel comes easily, and the fact that it’s part of the Microsoft Suite, which includes Word and PowerPoint, may make it more accessible and easier to understand than other programs. For others, however, learning Excel beyond its most basic uses requires guidance and support. Fortunately, there are plenty of classes for learners at all levels.
One surefire way to find the right class for you is to narrow down your choices by learning style. You may be someone who enjoys the energy of a dynamic in-person class, or you may prefer learning from home. Perhaps you appreciate the accountability of direct instruction and specific deadlines, or maybe you thrive in a self-paced class where you can develop a skill set in your own time. Whatever your style, there is a class that’s suited for you.
A Quick Guide to Learning Excel
- Excel can be used for simple calculations, tracking information, sorting and analyzing data, and building tables and charts.
- While some users find Excel intuitive and straightforward, many learners can benefit from a class that teaches expert-level skills.
- Options for Excel classes in your area may include training centers, community colleges, and civic or community organizations.
- Live online classes can be taken at home or in the office and offer many of the same benefits as in-person classes without requiring travel.
- Self-paced, on-demand classes allow you to learn Excel on your own schedule—ideal for busy people with the discipline to learn independently without relying on external accountability.
An Overview of the Best Excel Classes
NYIM Training's Excel for Business Fundamentals
Master the core Excel functions in this business-oriented one-day course. Learn calculations and data entry. Apply formatting to text and cells to make your spreadsheet scannable and visually appealing. In this hands-on training, you will learn all the basics to use Microsoft Excel as your primary data processing tool. You'll produce polished and print-ready spreadsheets while learning tricks to accelerate your workflow.
- The cost of the class is $249 for six hours of instruction.
- Choose a single six-hour session or two evening sessions of three hours each.
- The class is offered in-person in Manhattan or live online.
- Choose this class for hands-on, business-focused learning.
NYC Career Centers Microsoft Excel Bootcamp
Learn how to use functions, create Pivot Tables and data visualizations, and build basic macros in this thorough, fast-paced bootcamp. Available live online or at NYC Career Centers Manhattan campus, the class combines beginner, intermediate, and advanced Excel classes into one affordable bundle, saving you 15% off the cost of individual courses.
- The cost of the bootcamp is $549 for eighteen hours of instruction.
- Take the class over three six-hour days, or spread it over multiple weeks in three-hour blocks—whatever works best for your schedule.
- Choose the modality that provides the best learning environment for you: in-person in New York City or live online.
- Learn from industry-expert instructors in small classes.
- Use supplemental materials to assist both during and after the course, and retake the class for free within a year if you need a refresher.
- Receive a certificate of completion at the end of the bootcamp.
Noble Desktop's Excel Level I: Fundamentals
In this beginner Excel workshop, you’ll learn the essentials of Microsoft Excel, including calculations, basic functions, graphs, formatting, and printing. This basic Excel class is designed for beginners looking to expand their proficiency.
- The cost of the class is $249 for six hours of instruction.
- The class can be completed in a single day or over two evenings with three hours of instruction each.
- You can take the class live online from your home or office, or join an in-person class at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan campus.
- The class provides expert instruction in small groups, whether in-person or online.
Noble Desktop's Excel Level II: Intermediate
The perfect follow-up to Noble Desktop’s Level I class, this six-hour course will teach you functions such as VLOOKUP and SUMIFs, summarizing data with Pivot Tables, Sort & Filter database fundamentals, and how to split and join text.
- The cost of the class is $249 for six hours of instruction.
- Choose a single six-hour session, available on a weekend or weekday, or two three-hour sessions—the same material is covered either way.
- Available in multiple modalities, so choose what works best for you: in-person in New York City or live online from wherever you are.
- Learn from world-class instructors and a custom-crafted curriculum.
Noble Desktop's Excel Bootcamp
Go from beginner to pro with three days of expert instruction. Learn functions, formulas, Pivot Tables, and macros, plus time-saving techniques that will make your job easier.
- The cost of the class is $549 for eighteen hours of instruction.
- Choose three full weekdays or six three-hour evening sessions—whatever works better for your schedule.
- Join an in-person class at Noble Desktop’s New York City training center or take the class live online from anywhere.
- The class is highly reviewed by alumni and boasts expert instruction along with small class sizes.
NYC Career Centers Excel Specialist Certification Program
The Excel Specialist Certification program includes three Excel courses (Fundamentals, Intermediate, and Advanced), two hours of private training, and the Excel Specialist Exam fee with a free retake.
- The cost of the class is $959 for twenty hours of instruction. The exam fee is included in the total
- Choose from a preset track or customize your schedule.
- After you take the group classes, you can schedule the two hours of private training and the Excel Specialist Exam
- Take the class live online or in-person in New York City
- Live proctoring on exam day is included in the total cost
- All students in the program gain lifetime access to free NYC Career Centers Excel video courses
NYC Career Centers Excel Expert Certification Program
Learn everything you need to ace the Microsoft Excel Expert Exam. This program is similar to the Excel Specialist Certification Program, but includes additional private training to better prepare students for the exam and for using Excel in a real-world setting.
- The cost of the class is $1,149 for 22 hours of instruction. The exam fee is included in the total, with a free retake as needed
- Choose preset dates or customize your class schedule. Once classes are completed, you’ll schedule four hours of private training and the Excel Expert Exam
- Choose the modality that works best for you: in-person at NYC Career Centers Manhattan campus or live online.
- Live proctoring on exam day is included in the total cost
- All students in the program gain lifetime access to free NYC Career Centers Excel video courses
Additional Info on Learning Excel
- Used globally by one in eight people for a wide range of tasks, Excel is a versatile tool, and becoming proficient in the software can both boost your resume and increase your productivity in the workplace.
- You can turn to Excel for help in managing finances, analyzing and visualizing data, tracking productivity, and storing important information.
- Learning advanced techniques in Excel can increase your value to employers, improve competitiveness on the job market, and enhance workflow efficiency.
- Excel skills are integral for a wide variety of positions, including accountants, administrative assistants, data journalists, and project managers.
- Depending on your role, you may find that Excel can aid you in creating schedules, monitoring finances, managing contact information, and tracking business-critical data.
- Data professionals, such as data analysts, data scientists, financial and investment analysts, and business analysts, can use Excel to organize and analyze large amounts of data.
FAQs
Why should I learn Excel?
Microsoft Excel is the most-used spreadsheet application in the world, relied upon for data analysis and visualization, project management, performance reporting, scheduling, forecasting, and budgeting. Learning Excel can mean performing data analysis faster and more efficiently, more easily tracking business expenses, and collaborating seamlessly on projects. Mastering the program can help your company operate more efficiently, lead to increased responsibility in the workplace, and increase your odds of finding a new position if you enter the job market.
Which class is right for me?
The best class for you is the one that works best for your learning style, matches your temperament, and fits your schedule. If you prefer a dynamic in-person classroom, you’ll want to find a live class near you. On the other hand, if you do best working from home, live online is likely your best choice. There is always the option to take a self-paced, on-demand class, which places the fewest restrictions on your time, but it does require discipline to stay on track without outside accountability.
What should I expect to learn from an Excel class?
When deciding on an introductory Excel class, look for a syllabus that covers calculations, basic functions, graphs, printing, and applying formatting to text and cells to make your spreadsheet scannable and visually appealing. Consider whether you’ll be able to produce polished, print-ready spreadsheets and learn tricks to accelerate your workflow. In other words, make sure you’ll walk away knowing how to use Microsoft Excel as your primary data processing tool.
An intermediate class should cover such skills as writing functions like VLOOKUP and SUMIFs, summarizing data with Pivot Tables, creating dropdown menus, using Sort & Filter databases, and splitting and joining text. An advanced class should cover how to automate tasks with macros, master functions like INDEX-MATCH, develop experience with advanced database functions, and the ins and outs of data analysis.
Should I start with an intro class or go all-in on a bootcamp?
Short answer: it depends. First of all, consider how you’ll be using Excel. If you’re looking to take on a position requiring advanced-level Excel skills, a bootcamp is likely a good investment. It will generally save you money over taking individual classes, look good on your resume, and set you up to use higher-level skills in the workplace. On the other hand, if you’ll be using Excel in a home setting or on a very small scale at work, you may find an introductory class provides all the foundational skills you need. One advantage of a beginner class is that it’s never too late to change your mind: if you take the class and a year later find you actually need more help, you can always take an intermediate or advanced class. Your best bet is to check out the syllabus for each class you’re considering and make a determination based on your needs.
How can I find out more about the classes I’m considering taking?
Click on the hyperlinks in this article to learn more about each class, then see if you have additional questions. If so, you may want to go the old-school route and pick up the phone. Call the training center and ask if they can help. Let them know what you’re looking for and any scheduling concerns you may have. Get a feel for whether or not the school is student-focused, and if so, you may have found the right place.
Key Takeaways
- Learning Excel can help you in the job you have or the job you want
- Excel skills are also transferable to your home life, helping you budget, organize, and collaborate with family or friends
- Choose the Excel class that best fits your schedule, provides the level of mastery you need, and suits your learning style
- Make sure the class is within your budget, but remember that learning Excel is an investment in your career and yourself
