Did you know that Microsoft Excel is considered the most in-demand skill for entry-level candidates on our platform? Well, you do now. Data collected through RippleMatch’s platform reveals that Microsoft Excel is the most commonly requested skill across all roles by early-career recruiters that use RippleMatch.
If you’re not an Excel expert yet, don’t panic. The internet has a plethora of resources for all levels – so even if you’re a beginner, it’s OK! Not to mention, the majority of them are free, and the few that aren’t just might be worth the investment. Check out these 5 resources to help you master Microsoft Excel and stand out in the job search in no time:
Microsoft Excel Training Center, Price: Free
Who could know Excel better than the people at Microsoft, right? Microsoft has its very own Office 365 Training Center for all of its applications and services. The training center for Excel has a ton of free guides, videos, and tutorials that can be accessed through Windows, Mac OS, Android, iOS, and Windows Phone devices. Each guide, video, and tutorial is split up into experience level and the topic it will cover, making it an easy resource to not only navigate, but improve your skills with for free!
MrExcel.com, Price: Free
MrExcel.com’s interactive message board allows anyone using its free service to reach out to Excel experts with their questions. Whether your question is urgent or just a random thought, the board is great for finding a solution – and fast. The message board is organized by topic, making it easy to find what you’re looking to learn. Plus, each topic has its own sub-pages which help you access specific material. This is a great resource to use regardless of your Excel level. The more you learn, the more you can pick the brains of the experts whose job it is to help you!
Chandoo.org, Price: Free
Chandoo.org is a blog that covers just about everything Excel. Purna “Chandoo” Duggirala, Chandoo.org’s founder, claims his mission is “to make you awesome in Excel.” It’s a great resource that covers topics for beginners and experts. The blog operates mostly as a forum where people can ask specific questions. Then, Chandoo creates specific lessons on the most-common and helpful topics that are asked. After launching in 2007, there are now hundreds of articles, tutorials, and how-to’s for making charts and understanding everything that is Excel. While all of the forums and articles are free to access, the site also offers structured training programs like Excel School ($97 - $247), or VBA Classes ($97 - $347) which “aim...to make beginners experts in Excel.”
Intellezy.com, Price: Free to try, $14.95/month membership
Intellezy.com offers a variety of courses and instructors to help you master Microsoft Excel. The site currently offers fourteen courses ranging from two hours to six hours for all levels of experience. Each instructor is on-screen and accessible for the lesson, making each course seem as personal as a face to face interaction. Intellezy’s Excel courses and tutorials can be filtered by Office365 application, Excel version, and beginner through advanced level of expertise. Intellezy offers its services for a 10-day free trial, then it’s either $14.95/month or $99.95/year for membership.
LinkedIn Learning Products, Price: Free to try, $29.99/month membership
Did you know LinkedIn has an entire resource that offers trainings on a variety of business topics? It’s true! LinkedIn can be used for much more than professional networking. LinkedIn Learning Products is made up of SMEs, or subject matter experts, who host trainings on a variety of business topics – one of which is Microsoft Excel! The LinkedIn learning platform offers courses and video tutorials for all levels of expertise, covering learning pivot tables to advanced formulas and training. There are even specialized courses in Excel for certain roles, like corporate finance professionals. Visit the Excel LinkedIn Learning page and use the platform for one month free, then it’s $29.99/month.
Now that you have the resources, it’s time to start learning the skills. Take some time to go through each of these resources and study what they offer. Then, weigh your options and pick the best resource that best fits you, your dream role, and learning strategies. Even if the resource you choose isn’t free, remember the skills you learn could very well be worth the money. Good luck, try hard, and you’ll be using Excel with ease in little to no time!