Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel from Coursera

This course is intended for learners with some experience using Microsoft Windows, who are seeking to build presentation skills with Microsoft Excel. To be successful in this course you should have an understanding of the basics of using a Windows-based computer. Experience with printing and using a web browser are an asset, but not required.

Knowing how to use Microsoft Office products is essential in any professional setting. Whether you want to expand your expertise to apply for a new role, start your own business, or simply develop a new personal skill this course is for you.

This course will introduce you to Microsoft’s powerful and easy-to-use spreadsheet program, which provides you with an extensive set of tools to organize, analyze, present, and store data. If you are familiar with Excel’s basic features you can take your skills to the next level. If you are a beginner you will get the opportunity to develop basic Excel skills.

In this course, you will become comfortable with creating a new spreadsheet, working with basic formulas and functions, making your spreadsheets look professional and presentable, and saving and printing a spreadsheet.

By the end of this course, you will be comfortable creating advanced formulas, analyzing data with functions, analyzing data using functions and PivotTables, working with tables, visualizing data with charts, working with graphical objects, and enhancing workbooks.

This course will help you prepare for Exam MO-200: Microsoft Excel (Excel and Excel 2019). You will get opportunities to demonstrate the ability to create and edit a workbook with multiple sheets and use a graphic element to represent data visually. You will also show that you can apply the correct application of the principal features of Excel and complete tasks independently.

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting started with Excel

In this module, you will get started with some entry-level basics in Microsoft Excel. By getting to know Excel, what it does, its interface, and general layout and features. You will get to start creating workbooks and working with data. Before exploring how to modify workbooks, format data, apply layout and prepare to print.

Working with functions

In this module, you will start working with Excel's core features: functions and formulas. You will learn how to implement and use formulas and functions with data in Excel. You will also learn how to use Sorting and Filtering tools, and define data sets by applying range names. Finally, you will explore an array of specialized, text, and logical functions that can boost your abilities in Excel.

Organizing and visualizing data

In this module, you will move on to how to organize and visualize data in Excel. You will learn all about tables and charts, how to create, format, and modify them to store organize and display data in the way that you need. You will also learn how to manage large workbooks. Finally, you will be introduced to analyzing data, using Excels pivot tables and slicers.

Advanced Excel features

In this module, you will have the opportunity to try out some of the Advanced features that Excel has to offer. These include customizing formulas, proofing, and interface options, as well as applying conditional formatting. How to customize, manage, enhance and automate large workbooks, and how to export data and use data sources.

Honors: Hands-on practice using Microsoft Excel

In this module, you will undertake a hands-on project with Microsoft Excel. In this project, you will use the knowledge and experience that you’ve gained from the previous modules by applying your spreadsheet skills to analyze and present sales data, before reviewing and leaving comments.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Course is from Microsoft, founders of Excel

Introduces advanced functions for data analysis

Provides hands-on project for practical application

Covers essential Excel features for data organization and visualization

Prepares learners for Microsoft Excel certification exam

Assumes learners have basic Windows and computer literacy

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel with these activities:

Read 'Excel Bible'

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Expand your knowledge of Excel's advanced features by reading a comprehensive reference book.

View Excel 2019 Bible on Amazon

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Borrow or purchase a copy of 'Excel Bible'.
Allocate time for reading and taking notes on relevant sections.
Refer to the book as a resource when working on Excel projects.

Watch tutorial series on Excel

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Enhance your understanding of Excel's features and functions by following guided tutorials.

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Find a reliable video tutorial series on Microsoft Excel.
Start watching the tutorials and take notes on unfamiliar concepts.
Practice implementing the techniques demonstrated in the tutorials.

Solve Excel exercises

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Reinforce your Excel skills by solving practice exercises.

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Find online or offline resources that provide Excel exercises.
Set aside dedicated time to work on the exercises.
Review your solutions against provided answer keys or consult with a mentor for feedback.

Four other activities

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Join an Excel study or networking group

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Connect with other Excel users to share knowledge, ask questions, and collaborate on projects.

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Search for existing Excel study groups or networking events in your area or online.
Attend meetings or participate in discussions to engage with other Excel enthusiasts.
Share your own experiences and knowledge to help others in the group.

Learn advanced Excel functions and formulas

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Expand your Excel skills by exploring advanced functions and formulas.

Browse courses on Excel Functions

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Find video tutorials or online documentation on advanced Excel functions and formulas.
Practice implementing the functions and formulas in your own spreadsheets.
Experiment with different combinations of functions and formulas to create more complex calculations.

Create an interactive Excel dashboard

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Develop practical skills in creating informative and interactive Excel dashboards.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Identify a dataset and determine the key metrics to visualize.
Design the dashboard layout and choose appropriate chart types.
Implement formulas and functions to populate the dashboard with data.
Add interactivity features, such as filtering and sorting.

Analyze a real-world dataset

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Apply your Excel skills to a real-world scenario and enhance your problem-solving abilities.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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Identify a publicly available dataset related to your interests.
Import the dataset into Excel and clean and organize the data.
Perform data analysis using formulas, functions, and pivot tables.
Visualize the results using charts and graphs.
Write a report summarizing your findings and insights.

Career center

Learners who complete Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are in charge of collecting, cleaning, and analyzing large data sets to uncover trends and insights that can help businesses make informed decisions. This course in Microsoft Excel can be particularly useful for Data Analysts as it will provide them with foundational skills in data organization, analysis and visualization. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively manage and analyze data, a key skill for success in the field of Data Analytics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use their knowledge of finance and economics to analyze financial data and make recommendations for investments. This course will help you develop a solid understanding of Excel, a crucial tool for financial modeling and analysis. By becoming proficient in Excel, you will be able to perform complex financial calculations, create financial models, and analyze financial data more efficiently, which are all essential skills for success in financial analysis.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. They use their analytical skills to develop solutions that can help businesses operate more efficiently and effectively. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization, which are essential skills for Business Analysts. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze business data, identify trends and patterns, and develop solutions that can improve business performance.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use mathematical and analytical techniques to solve complex problems in business and industry. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling, which are essential skills for Operations Research Analysts. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze data, develop mathematical models, and solve complex problems, which are all necessary skills for success in operations research.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants advise businesses on how to improve their operations and achieve their goals. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization, which are essential skills for Management Consultants. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze business data, identify trends and patterns, and develop recommendations that can improve business performance, all of which are key skills for success in management consulting.

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Market Researcher

Market Researchers collect and analyze data about consumer behavior and market trends. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization, which are essential skills for Market Researchers. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze market data, identify trends and patterns, and develop insights that can help businesses make informed decisions, all of which are key skills for success in market research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use their knowledge of statistics, machine learning, and programming to extract insights from data. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization, which are essential skills for Data Scientists. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze data, develop machine learning models, and communicate insights to stakeholders, all of which are key skills for success in data science.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, interpret, and present data. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and visualization, which are essential skills for Statisticians. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze data, develop statistical models, and communicate insights to stakeholders, all of which are key skills for success in statistics.

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Actuary

Actuaries use mathematical and statistical techniques to assess risk and uncertainty. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in data analysis and modeling, which are essential skills for Actuaries. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze data, develop actuarial models, and communicate insights to stakeholders, all of which are key skills for success in actuarial science.

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Financial Planner

Financial Planners help individuals and families plan for their financial future. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in financial planning and analysis, which are essential skills for Financial Planners. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze financial data, develop financial plans, and provide financial advice to clients, all of which are key skills for success in financial planning.

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Auditor

Auditors examine financial records to ensure that they are accurate and compliant with regulations. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in accounting and auditing, which are essential skills for Auditors. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze financial data, identify risks and fraud, and provide assurance to stakeholders, all of which are key skills for success in auditing.

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Tax Accountant

Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in taxation and accounting, which are essential skills for Tax Accountants. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze tax data, prepare tax returns, and provide tax advice to clients, all of which are key skills for success in tax accounting.

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Budget Analyst

Budget Analysts prepare and manage budgets for organizations. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in budgeting and financial analysis, which are essential skills for Budget Analysts. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze financial data, develop budgets, and provide financial advice to management, all of which are key skills for success in budget analysis.

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Cost Accountant

Cost Accountants analyze and report on the costs of products and services. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in cost accounting and financial analysis, which are essential skills for Cost Accountants. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze cost data, develop cost reports, and provide financial advice to management, all of which are key skills for success in cost accounting.

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Forensic Accountant

Forensic Accountants investigate financial crimes and provide expert testimony in court. This course in Microsoft Excel will provide you with a strong foundation in accounting, auditing, and financial analysis, which are essential skills for Forensic Accountants. By taking this course, you will be able to effectively analyze financial data, identify fraud and financial crimes, and provide expert testimony in court, all of which are key skills for success in forensic accounting.

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