Many business, accounting, finance, and similar majors learn to use Microsoft Excel as part of their curriculum, but most degree programs do not. Those who have been in the workforce for a long time may never have had the chance to improve their Excel skills.
If you need to catch up on the latest Excel features, it is not difficult. Microsoft Excel skills can be obtained through remote, instructor-led courses from the comfort of your own home or office.
These short courses allow the user to use spreadsheet functions such as graphic tools, calculators, formulas, charts, macro programming language, and other pivotal tools. MS Excel is the most recent version of the software, and it provides users with a wide range of tools that make database jobs easier and more comprehensive.
Recruiters suggest that simply knowing how to use Excel is insufficient. To validate their claim and make the recruitment process easier, candidates must have an industry-standard certificate.
Microsoft Excel certifications that are completed through accredited colleges are very affordable and recognized, providing the candidate with increased distinction and a competitive advantage over non-certified professionals.
Yes, they are absolutely worth it. Your potential employer has no way of knowing if you've opened Excel once or if you have an expert certification. Earning a Microsoft Excel certificate can help you stand out in the job market by demonstrating to employers and hiring managers that you have the necessary skills.
Related: Excel Data Analyst Ultimate Guide
In some cases, having an Excel certification may even be required to apply for the job. The ability to manage complex workbooks, perform large-scale data analysis, create pivot tables, and use VBA places you in a league of your own.
Aside from demonstrating Excel proficiency, obtaining a certification demonstrates that you have made a commitment to the work required to learn and pass the exam. Taking the initiative to improve yourself can be the difference that sets you apart.
There are other spreadsheets out there but Excel has advantages of its own and employers generally prefer that you have a certification from MS Excel.
But before we look at what courses can help develop your skills, let’s first look at why professionals think that Excel courses are worth it.
Related: Excel vs Sheets: Differences & Similarities
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A Microsoft Excel certification can help professionals in a variety of industries advance their careers, not just those in business, accounting, and finance. The following are some of the advantages of obtaining a Microsoft Excel certification:
Certification training can help you improve your job performance, especially if you work with large amounts of data. With your newly acquired skills, you are able to do tasks faster and more efficiently eventually getting more work done.
Calculations are time-consuming, especially when you have to double-check your work. More complex calculations can be created using advanced Excel tools.
Once your formula is written and your set command is programmed, the program will complete all of the calculations, freeing up your time for other tasks and ensuring that you have accurate data the first time.
A Microsoft Excel certification from a good accredited college is recognized all over the world. Obtaining one certifies your knowledge of the software and will help you with all future job interviews.
Exams like the Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Excel and Excel 2019) certification exam are intended to assess your knowledge of Microsoft Excel. Taking the exam allows you to not just prepare for it and ensure that your skills are up to industry standards but also to see how you are placed on those standards.
Many people think they are good at something until they take an exam and realize they scored poorly in some specific area. This gives them the opportunity to highlight and work on their weaknesses.
Given the option, every candidate would want something that helps them outshine other applicants. A Microsoft Excel certification demonstrates that you have the necessary skills and distinguishes you from other job candidates.
Certified professionals are frequently chosen for analytical and leadership positions. They are also given higher starting pay. Being a valuable employee not only improves your job security but also opens up opportunities for advancement.
Being more efficient, better educated, and more skilled in your job functions will help you become more valuable to the company. That is what advanced Excel training can provide.
Employees should always look for ways to increase their value to the company in order to avoid being replaced by younger workers with more advanced skill sets. It is critical to learn and master new skills in order to stay on top of your game and position yourself for greater security and advancement.
Related: Top 10 Ways to Improve Microsoft Excel Skills in 2022
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Almost every professional career requires some interaction with Excel. Even if you are just a shift manager at a restaurant it helps if you can efficiently account for inventory, overtime etc.
There are a few instances, however, where having a formal certification can make a significant difference.
Being an Excel expert can set you apart in these career fields and help your resume stand out.
We have curated a list of the best Excel courses with certificates for you to help you polish your skills no matter what level of efficiency you are at. We highly recommend them because all of them are from Accredited colleges and are online… which means you can complete them from the comfort of your living room!
This is an entry-level certification that is applicable to any job. Even if you are only an office assistant, even a basic understanding of MS Excel can help you advance in your career.
Create worksheets to assist you in managing, storing, organizing, and analyzing data. The most commonly used program for this purpose is Excel, Microsoft's powerful spreadsheet software. In fact, most employers expect new employees to have working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
This course will teach you the fundamental functions and applications of Microsoft Excel. Through hands-on lessons, you will learn numerous shortcuts for quickly and efficiently setting up worksheets.
You'll also discover how to use the function wizard to compute statistics, future values, and other useful things. You'll also learn how to sort and analyze data, create three-dimensional workbooks, and use macros and buttons to automate repetitive tasks.
Course link: Introduction to Microsoft Excel
Course Fee: $218.75 Total Price (Excluding Tax)
Course Type: Online - On Demand Course
Pima Community College is the premier training institution in Southern Arizona for adult learners seeking to gain skills and credentials quickly. You've come to the right place if you want to advance in your current job or find a new one.
This is an intermediate certification for Excel users who are familiar with very basic functions of Excel and would like to advance to the intermediate level. You will be able to understand the logical, statistical, and text functions.
This course will cover INTERMEDIATE concepts from the Excel certification exams using actual mobility data.
Understanding formulas is a critical middle-technical skill in mobility analysis and related fields such as management and engineering.
Formulas convert information into decisions. Logical and statistical formulas can analyze a dataset and return a result based on the criteria you specify.
Course link: Excel Intermediate for Data Analysts
Course Fee: $200 Total Price (Excluding Tax)
Course Type: Online - On Demand Course
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WCC has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the nation's premier community colleges, with more than 20,000 credit students and thousands more enrolled in Economic and College Development classes each year.
Over 1,000 students from over 100 different countries make up their diverse student body. The 285-acre Washtenaw Community College campus and strategically located extension centers, operating resources, technology-enabled facilities, and instructional quality are highly regarded among post-secondary education institutions.
This is an advanced certification for Excel users who are already familiar with the fundamentals. You will learn how to enter, analyze, and create advanced reports such as PivotTables and Pivot Charts using real-world data from counties and municipalities.
After completing this specialization, you will be able to bring data to life using advanced Excel functions, creative visualizations, and powerful automation features.
These classes will give you a complete set of tools for data transformation, linking, and analysis. You will be able to design stunning interactive dashboards and master a variety of charts. Finally, you will discover a new dimension in Excel by using PowerPivot, Get and Transform, and DAX.
Course link: Excel Expert for Data Analysts
Course Fee: $240 Total Price (Excluding Tax)
Course Type: Online - On Demand Course
There is no doubt that getting a certification in Excel from an accredited college will greatly help you with your future job prospects.
While many people successfully self-study for the certification exam, attending a class provides the structure for your learning experience and may lead to success faster. Setting aside dedicated time to attend a class allows you to focus on learning the aspects of Excel required to earn a certification.
In this article, we looked at three of the best Excel courses for data analysis each at the Beginner, Intermediate, and Expert levels that can help you advance your skills and demonstrate your value to potential employers.
