What will I learn in these Excel classes?
With Excel being such a necessary skill in today's workplace, a new user may find themselves asking "what can Excel do?" and "Why is Excel so much more in demand than any other program?"
The answer lies in the way Excel works and the many different functionalities that it possesses. Here's a brief overview of Excel's robust capabilities.
Calculations
Excel can calculate everything from basic formulas (addition, subtraction, etc.) to complex statistics and everything in-between.
Functions exist (such as Sum, Average) to enable the user to perform advanced calculations with minimal effort. On top of all of this is Excel's extraordinary ability to take a single calculation and to apply it to hundreds or thousands of additional rows of data (Autofill).
Excel contains a very sophisticated library of functions which are brilliantly organized for ease of use. Some of the categories include Financial functions (IRR, NPV, PV), Logical functions (If/Then, And/Or), Text functions (Proper, Concatenate), Date & Time functions (Weeknum, EOMonth), and Lookup & Reference functions (Match, Index).
Get started with calculations and functions in our introductory course, and continue learning in our Excel bootcamp.
Working with Text
Even though Excel is a spreadsheet program, it possesses a significant number of capabilities for dealing with text. Excel can split text from one cell to multiple cells (Text to Columns), such as with names, or it can combine text from several cells into one cell (Concatenate), such as with addresses.
Excel can also be used to analyze data to remove any duplicate rows/entries (Remove Duplicates). Furthermore, as Excel is increasingly being used internally by companies for forms, it can provide a structure such as drop-down boxes (Data Validation).
Elaborate Charts and Graphs
Ever since its first introduction to the business world, Excel has consistently set the standard regarding charts and graphs—both regarding design and ease of creation. Excel boasts both vivid and detailed depictions of your data all in just a few simple keystrokes. From basic (Line charts, Column charts, Pie charts), to complex (Histograms, Stock charts, Combo charts), Excel provides countless ways to visualize your data for optimal reporting and decision-making purposes. Learn chart essentials in our beginner courses.
Data Analysis with Pivot Tables
Pivot tables are a very cutting-edge approach to analyzing data, by creating visually-appealing tables that provide both consolidation and calculation of results. Excel can create a Pivot table from several different data sources that are both customized and easy to use regarding filtering (Slicers) and data availability (Grouping). Summarize data with Pivot Tables in our intermediate class.
Data Extraction from Tables
While Excel offers a lot of special functionalities for organizing data (Tables), efficiently leveraging that information is another challenge that Excel minimizes. Data can be analyzed and summarized (CountIfs, SumIfs) or simply retrieved (VLOOKUP) from a larger source through specialty functions, making database work much more efficient. Build these formulas in our intermediate Excel course.
Advanced Data Tools
Forecasting data becomes almost second-nature when utilizing Excel's "What If" analysis abilities. You can change the result of an equation and have Excel calculate the necessary variables to make it true (Goal Seek). You can also create single or multi-variable data tables (Data Table) to map out possibilities.
Recording Macros
Do you have reporting responsibilities at work that involve repetitive tasks? Ever dreamed of a magic wand that could instantly compose that report/perform those repetitive tasks for you? With Excel, this is no longer a dream (Macros)! Excel can record your steps/keystrokes and translate these into code (VBA) for future reference. The next time you need to complete that task, simply run the macro and watch the magic!
Learn advanced data analytics tools and macros in our advanced Excel course.
These are just a few of the more useful abilities that Excel possesses. By learning Excel, you do more than add a line item to your resume; you acquire these skills, as well. Imagine going to work with the knowledge that whatever task comes your way, you feel confident that you can handle it. How? With Excel. Because that is the kind of magnitude that this software possesses, and these are the types of skills that Excel makes easily transferable to the user.
Top 10 Functions You’ll Learn in Our Excel Courses
Excel is a powerful application with thousands of functions and features used across a wide range of industries. In our in-person Excel training, we focus on the most pivotal functions that business professionals and analysts use on a daily basis, including these top ten most popular functions.
- AutoSum: The five core functions in Excel: Sum, Average, Count Numbers, Max, and Min. Covered in our beginner course, the AutoSum functions are the building blocks for calculations and formulas.
- VLOOKUP: Retrieve data from a specific column in a table. Perhaps the most popular function, VLOOKUP allows users to quickly retrieve data from a table based on a lookup value and the column number in the table.
- =VLOOKUP(lookup value, lookup table, the column from where you want to retrieve the data, Approximate match (TRUE) or Exact match (FALSE))
- IF: The core logical function in Excel, an IF statement retrieves a value based on a condition. This function sets the foundations for setting up scenarios in Excel.
- =IF(logical_test, value_if_true, [value_if_false])
- Text Functions (UPPER, LOWER, PROPER): Automatically convert text case to upper, lower, or proper.
- UPPER(text) - capitalize all letters
- LOWER(text) - make all letter lowercase
- PROPER(text) - capitalize the first letter of each word
- SUMIFS: Adds the values in a sum range for any rows that meet specified criteria. The SUMIFS function adds the values in range that satisfy one or more criteria.
- =SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2], ...)
- COUNTIFS: Counts the number of times specified criteria appear in a range. The COUNTIFS function counts the values in range that satisfy one or more criteria.
- =COUNTIFS(criteria_range1, criteria1, [criteria_range2, criteria2]…)
- AND/OR: Often used in IF statements to expand functionality. AND Returns TRUE if all of the arguments evaluate to TRUE. OR Returns TRUE if any argument evaluates to TRUE.
- =AND(C3>20,C3<200)
- Displays TRUE if C3 is greater than 20 AND less than 200, otherwise, it displays FALSE.
- =OR(C3>20,C3<200)
- Displays TRUE if C3 is greater than 20 OR less than 200, otherwise, it displays FALSE.
- VLOOKUP-MATCH: Create a more accurate VLOOKUP by enhancing the determination of the Column Index number. By nesting the MATCH function in VLOOKUP, you don't need to manually count the number of columns and the column number will automatically update if columns are added to the table. This advanced-level technique builds off the VLOOKUP function.
- MATCH(lookup_value, lookup_array, [match_type]) nested as the column_index_number in the VLOOKUP function
- INDEX-MATCH: MATCH can be used to return the relative position (column or row number) of a lookup value. When used in combination with INDEX, it’s a more advanced way to perform a lookup.
- INDEX(array, row_num, [column_num]) with a MATCH function nested in the row_num and/or column_num
- Date Functions: Create a valid date from the individual year, month, and day components. Useful for assembling dates that need to change dynamically based on other values in a worksheet.
- YEAR(serial_number) - retrieve the year from a serial number
- MONTH(serial_number) - retrieve the month from a serial number
- TODAY() - retrieve's today's date
- EDATE(start date, number of months) - retrieve a date a specified number of months from another date
Project-Based Excel Classes & Corporate Training
In our in-person Excel training in NYC, you'll master the essential functions and features business professionals use on a daily basis by completing hands-on exercises. The instructor will present a short demonstration and complete an illustrative example, then you'll complete the same exercise and one or two more with instructor guidance to reinforce the concepts. At the end of the course, you'll take home a review manual, email yourself the class file, and receive a video suite at no additional charge (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced classes). You can also retake any Excel class for free within six months.
Our courses are for Excel students of all levels, from beginners to experts and programmers. Our flexible scheduling options include weekday, evening, and weekend classes, as well as private tutoring to accommodate your schedule. We also offer corporate training programs and onsite courses for companies across the country.
The Benefits of Taking Excel Classes at Career Centers
- Charismatic instructors that create an upbeat, positive learning environment
- Small classes, so you can get one-to-one attention and ask questions
- A comfortable, modern training facility with computers and software for each student
- Access to our extensive online Excel video suite with high-quality videos to reinforce classroom instruction
- Flexible and customizable corporate training for businesses of all sizes
Excel Classes for Students of All Levels
Complete beginners can start with our Excel for Business Fundamentals course, in which you'll learn all the basics of Excel. You'll review charts, formulas, and tips to enter and manipulate data more quickly.
Intermediate Excel for business dives into more complex Excel functions, including Pivot Tables, working with data, and functions like VLOOKUP. These functions can be used to count and summarize datasets. Students in our Intermediate Excel course will develop Excel knowledge beyond average users.
After completing our Level 1 and 2 Excel courses, students can enroll in Advanced Excel. Advanced Excel for Business teaches students how to evaluate datasets by applying advanced Excel functions. Forecasting data, advanced lookup functions, and automating workbook tasks are just a few things students will learn in advanced Excel.
Intermediate and advanced learners can fill skills gaps without having to sift through content they already know by taking one of our specialized courses:
Bootcamp Options
Do you want to accelerate your Excel knowledge and skills quickly? Our Excel Business Bootcamp takes you from Beginner to Advanced in just over 20 hours of training. Learn everything you need to analyze data with formulas and functions, build Pivot Tables, and even write custom macros to automate workflow. You'll receive a 15% discount on these courses by enrolling in this bootcamp package.
Lifetime Access to Our Excel Video Suite
Select courses include lifetime access to our premium Excel training suite (savings of $95) which students can access on phone, tablet, and desktop or laptop devices. The high-quality video suite includes beginner, intermediate, and advanced step-by-step training videos to supplement and enhance your classroom experience.
Increase Your Career Opportunities With an Excel Certification
Certification is solid proof of your knowledge and skills. If you're an analyst, researcher, or another professional that works with data, an Excel certification demonstrates that you have the required knowledge and skills to do the job. Our Excel Specialist and Excel Expert Certifications come with the following:
- Weekday, weeknight, weekend, or private classes to prepare for certification
- A one-to-one session with your instructor to answer questions
- Access to our premium Excel video suite with high-quality videos
- Official Microsoft Exam study guide
- Free course retake
- Free certification exam retake if you don't pass on the first attempt
Excel Corporate Training and Professional Development
For real estate, finance, and other industries that rely on Excel for data management and evaluation, our corporate training options offer customized Excel training for your staff.
- Enroll your team in any of our standard Excel classes for a day of private courses at our Midtown Manhattan training center or onsite at your location.
- Customize any of our Excel courses or work with our instructors to create a curriculum of your own that addresses your Excel training needs
- Offer individual professional development to your staff by purchasing discounted group vouchers for your team so that they can enroll in training at their convenience.
If you're interested in Excel corporate training or professional development for your staff, contact our office today for a free consultation. Once you find the right Excel training for your office, we'll connect you with one of our experienced instructors who can customize the curriculum.
