Excel Training Resources
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 that 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.
Continue learning about Excel's powerful features for free on our Excel blog.
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.
8 Reasons to Learn Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel is one of the best products offered by Microsoft. It is not only used for creating tables but you can also use it to organize the data and increase work productivity. There is a use case for almost everyone with Microsoft Excel, whether you are doing a job or you are an entrepreneur running a business. In this article, we are going to explore 8 reasons why you should learn Microsoft Excel.
#1 Organize data
The first reason why you should learn Microsoft Excel is that it will help you organize your data. Microsoft Excel provides various functions to filter your data as well as keep your data organized. Whenever you want to look for something, you can either use the filter or you can simply have a quick look at the sheets to find out. You can also use the graphs and charts to view the data in visual form. Some of the finance functions make your work even easier. Feel free to have a look at PMT, PPMT, IPMT, SLN, and similar functions available on Excel to know more about it.
#2 Standard software
Microsoft Excel can be used in many ways but most importantly it is industry-standard software. Excel can handle your entire finance and accounting with ease. You can quickly add the graphs, charts, filters, math functions, formulas, etc. One can use excel as any type of software. In other words, you can use it to create an invoice or you can also use the software to create financial reports. You can use it to track sales, margins, orders, etc with ease. There are a couple of templates available that you can directly start using or you can also create a custom sheet as per your requirements.
#3 Makes calculation easy and faster
Excel has a ton of math functions and also allows you to enter custom formulas. The other good thing about the software is that once you create a formula, you can simply use the same formula for all the rows. This small automation reduces the work of copy and pasting the same thing over and over again. It looks simple at first but if you consider all your employees, you will save more time. It only takes 2 minutes to calculate manually. Now, let’s say, you are working with 10 people, that’s roughly 20 minutes. If you calculate the time daily, it will save you a lot of time overall.
#4 Analysis and forecasting
Once you organize all your data in the sheet, you can analyze it to do the forecasting predictions. It will help you to do the “What if” analysis with ease. Also, there are various charts and filtering options to make your predictions easier. Once the calculations are done and everything is shown in a single sheet, it will be easier for you to analyze the data and make the decisions accordingly. It will give you a better idea to make decisions.
#5 Reduces cost
There are several ways on how Microsoft Excel will help you reduce the costs. The first thing is that you will not have to pay for any other software. You can do several works on Excel. For instance, you will not require any finance tool. The next thing is that you will save a lot in IT cost. Most of the organizations rely on their IT companies to provide the data and analytics. Moreover, some of the companies even pay for the same thing. Now, you don’t need to rely on your IT companies to get the reports, you can generate it from Excel whenever you want.
#6 Increase Salary or Profit
There are two possible situations here. If you are running a business, you will see an increase in your profit. This is because you are saving a lot of time from your employees by doing half of the things in excel. Further, your team will make better decisions by analyzing the data. In the same way, if you are doing a job, you will get a better salary if you have mastered Excel. Nowadays, most of the companies are using Excel. They will pay you more if you already know how to use Excel and your boss will be impressed if you can give them a couple of suggestions for Excel.
#7 Get more done
Another reason why you should learn Microsoft Excel is that after learning it, you can do most of your tasks. Excel has various functions and there is a lot more to explore. More functions will give you more features and hence, it can help you in many different ways. You can solve simple as well as complex problems with it. There are enough options to do almost whatever you want. Further, if somehow you are not able to do the task then you can use third-party Excel tools. There are many third-party tools or extensions available for Excel to increase its functionality. Depending on the tool, it will add a couple of more features to Excel.
#8 It’s easy to learn
After reading the 7th point, you might be thinking that Excel will be difficult to learn. Actually, Excel is one of the easiest tools to learn, even if you aren’t the most tech-savvy person. There are tons of resources to help you in your Excel journey and we offer a handful of classes from beginner to advanced to get you going.
Final words
To conclude, these were a couple of reasons why you should learn Microsoft Excel. You can analyze, predict, organize, and also filter the data. It will save you time as well as your money. Lastly, it is fairly easy to learn and you can do so by taking one of our Excel classes.
