A Complete Guide to Excel Classes Near Me
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 imposing on 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 mean that it’s accessible and more easily understood 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 like 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.
Quick Guide
- 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 will teach 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 your home or office, and offer many of the same benefits as in-person classes without having to travel.
- Self-paced on-demand classes can help you learn Excel on your own schedule, which is a good option for busy people who have the discipline to learn independently and don’t need to rely on external accountability.
Additional Info
- 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 Excel can aid you in such tasks as 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.
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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 end up on 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 both produce polished, print-ready spreadsheets as well as 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 in which you’ll need 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 to 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 then 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 find out a bit more about each class, and 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--if so, you may just have found the right place.
Key Takeaway
- Learning Excel can help you in the job you have or in the job you want.
- Excel skills are also transferable to your home life, helping you to budget, organize, and collaborate with family members or friends.
- Choose the Excel class that feels like the best fit for you--the one that works with your schedule, provides you with the level of mastery you need, and offers the type of instruction that suits your learning style.
- Be sure to choose the class that falls within your budget, but also consider that learning Excel is an investment in your career and in yourself.