8 BEST Microsoft Excel Courses Online with Certificate (2025)
Charlotte Miller
Mastery in data handling starts with the right skills. Best Excel Online Courses provide a structured path to harness Microsoft Excel’s full capabilities within the Microsoft Office Suite. As a tech expert with over three decades of experience, I created this guide to help professionals, students, and analysts find high-quality, certified training options. Excel is essential for data-driven decision-making, and staying ahead means adopting emerging trends like AI-powered formula suggestions.
After testing 55+ options and dedicating over 110 hours to rigorous analysis, I created this exclusive guide to the Best MS Excel Courses online—covering both free and paid programs. This trusted, well-researched roundup focuses on course quality, pros and cons, and certification credibility. I remember relying on a specific course during a high-stakes audit project—it offered a structured, insightful approach I still recommend today.
Best MS Excel Courses Online with Certification: Free & Paid
Here are the Best Excel Online Courses and Classes to learn Microsoft Excel from beginning to advance level:
| Course Name | Duration | Provider | Fee | Key Topics | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👍 Microsoft Excel: Business Intelligence w/ Power Query & DAX | 7 hours on-demand video | Udemy | $7 | Power Query, Power Pivot & DAX | Learn More |
| Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel | Approx. 20 hours to complete | Rice Coursera | Free | Data Analysis | Learn More |
| Data Visualization with Advanced Excel | Approx. 15 hours to complete | PWC Coursera | Free | Data Visualization | Learn More |
| Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced | 21 hours on-demand video | Udemy | $5.83 | Basics | Learn More |
| Microsoft Excel – Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions | 9.5 hours on-demand video | Udemy | $8.73 | Formula & Functions | Learn More |
1) Microsoft Excel: Business Intelligence w/ Power Query & DAX (Udemy)
Specs: Rating: 4.7 out of 5 | Duration: 7 hours on-demand video | Certificate of completion: Yes
Microsoft Excel: Business Intelligence w/ Power Query & DAX (Udemy) was something I particularly appreciated during my research on Excel training tools. The course combines theory with practical business applications, which helped me better understand how to build dynamic data models. One of the best features is lifetime access to interactive quizzes and project files, allowing you to revisit concepts as needed. It is a great option for learners who want to enhance their existing Excel skills and dive into BI. Keep in mind, a working knowledge of PivotTables and formulas is required. Financial teams now rely on this course to connect various data streams and perform automated budget forecasts using DAX logic.
This comprehensive course offers 13 informative articles and 5 downloadable resources, ensuring in-depth learning. You’ll receive full lifetime access, enabling you to revisit materials anytime. The course is easily accessible on both mobile and TV, providing flexibility to learn at your convenience across multiple devices.
What Will You Learn?
- Data modeling & business intelligence tools: I gained a solid foundation in data modeling and business intelligence tools like Power BI, which helped me transform data into valuable insights. Using these tools can greatly improve the efficiency of any data analysis project.
- Power Query, Power Pivot & DAX: Power Query, Power Pivot, and DAX are some of the most effective tools that allow you to work with data more efficiently. Mastering them helps automate and speed up processes, saving valuable time.
- Lifetime access to resources: Lifetime access to all the materials and expert support has been a great solution to solidify my understanding of business intelligence concepts, allowing me to revisit lessons anytime and at my convenience.
- Build business intelligence solutions: Building business intelligence solutions helps you analyze and visualize complex data from various sources, which is essential for making well-informed business decisions. This provides a clear advantage when dealing with large-scale data projects.
Pricing:
$7 for a course
How to Enroll in Microsoft Excel: Business Intelligence w/ Power Query & DAX Course?
- Step 1) Visit the Microsoft Excel Power Query, Power Pivot & DAX course page.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll Now” button to add the course to your cart.
- Step 3) If you are not logged in, sign in to your Udemy account, or create a new one using your email.
- Step 4) Once enrolled, you will have lifetime access to the course materials, including quizzes, homework exercises, and project files.
2) Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel (Coursera)
Specs: Rating: 4.7 out of 5 | Duration: Approx. 20 hours to complete | Certificate of completion: Yes
Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel is a practical and easy-to-follow course I reviewed recently. It walks learners through essential Excel skills, starting from basic formulas to advanced charting techniques. I particularly appreciate how the course simplifies Excel’s powerful tools like PivotTables and VLOOKUP for beginners. It helps you avoid common confusion by using relatable examples. This may help you gain the confidence to use Excel efficiently, even if you are just starting out. In my opinion, it is one of the best courses to build a working knowledge of Excel in a structured and digestible way. Small business owners are now applying these charting skills to visualize sales trends across regions and improve their strategic decisions.
In this course, you will also learn basic operations such as reading data into Excel using various data formats, organizing, and manipulating data. This course offers shareable certificates upon completion, allowing you to showcase your skills. With a self-paced learning option, you can learn at your convenience. It includes engaging course videos, readings, assignments with feedback, and programming tasks to ensure comprehensive understanding and hands-on practice for mastery of key concepts.
What Will You Learn?
- Introduction to Spreadsheets: I learned the basics of spreadsheets and how they can help organize and manage data effectively for any task.
- Spreadsheet Functions to Organize Data: Spreadsheet functions allow you to automate calculations and manipulate data, helping me avoid errors and improve productivity.
- Formatting Rows and Columns: I found formatting rows and columns to be one of the easiest ways to make data more readable and professional-looking.
- Creating Bar Charts and Graphs: Creating charts and graphs is a great way to visualize data, helping me convey complex ideas more effectively.
- IF and the Nested IF Functions: The IF function, particularly when nested, helped me create dynamic spreadsheets that respond to various data inputs with accuracy.
- VLOOKUP Across Worksheets: VLOOKUP made it easier to retrieve data across multiple worksheets, saving me time and ensuring consistency.
Pricing:
Free to Enroll
How to Enroll in the Data Analysis in Excel: Basics to Advanced Charts and Pivot Tables Course?
- Step 1) Head over to the Data Analysis in Excel: Basics to Advanced Charts and Pivot Tables course page on Coursera.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll for Free” button. If you don’t have an account, create one using your email or sign in if you already have an account.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, start exploring the course content by diving into the first module, where you’ll learn Excel basics like data reading, formatting, and using formulas.
3) Data Visualization with Advanced Excel (Coursera)
Specs: Rating: 4.8 out of 5 | Duration: Approx. 15 hours to complete | Certificate of completion: Yes
Data Visualization with Advanced Excel (Coursera) helped me understand how Excel can become a storytelling tool. As I carried out my evaluation, the ability to simulate business outcomes using Solver and visualize them with Power View stood out. I particularly liked how the course bridges raw data and executive-ready dashboards. It is a top-rated online training program for anyone aiming to enhance their decision-making with better Excel skills. Logistics managers are using PowerPivot models from this course to forecast warehouse inventory and simulate supplier delays in real-time dashboard formats.
The second half of this course talks about visualizing data and exploring data by reviewing core principles and visualization and dashboarding. You will learn how to build complex graphs and power view reports and combine them into dynamic dashboards. This 100% online course offers flexible learning with self-paced options. It includes practice quizzes, assignments, and programming tasks, all with valuable feedback to enhance your skills. Available in both English and French, the course provides flexible deadlines, allowing you to learn at your own pace and convenience.
What Will You Learn?
- Advanced Excel Training: The training provides the best way to master advanced Excel techniques and transform your spreadsheets into powerful data analysis tools.
- Advanced Scenario Analysis: I found scenario analysis to be essential for evaluating different outcomes based on data, which greatly helped in making better decisions.
- Data Visualization: Using data visualization techniques allowed me to easily interpret and present data, which is a perfect option when dealing with large datasets.
- Dashboarding: Building dashboards helps you create concise, interactive displays that summarize key metrics, making it a great way to track performance effectively.
Pricing:
Free to enroll
How to Enroll in the Data Visualization with Advanced Excel Course?
- Step 1) Head over to the Data Visualization with Advanced Excel course page on Coursera.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll for Free” button. If you don’t have an account, create one using your email or sign in if you already have an account.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, begin learning by diving into the course content, starting with advanced Excel functions, PowerPivot, and data analysis tools.
4) Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced (Udemy)
Specs: Rating: 4.7 out of 5 | Duration: 21 hours on-demand video | Certificate of completion: Yes
Microsoft Excel – Excel from Beginner to Advanced (Udemy) is a course I tested recently, and it delivers a well-rounded experience for learners who want structured Excel training. The modules cover everything from cell formatting to lookup functions. I particularly appreciate how it includes downloadable resources that support advanced learning beyond just watching videos. For professionals looking to improve efficiency, this course is a top choice. Make sure you dedicate time to practice with real files for best results. Event planners typically use these skills to organize vendor budgets, guest lists, and schedules without depending on multiple software tools.
This comprehensive course offers 37 downloadable resources, ensuring learners have ample material for hands-on practice. With full lifetime access, participants can revisit the content anytime, reinforcing long-term skill retention. The course is compatible with mobile and TV, providing flexibility and convenience for professionals aiming to enhance their Microsoft Excel proficiency.
What Will You Learn?
- Mastering Excel Functions: The training I completed helped me master the most common and useful Excel functions, which are required in the workplace for data management.
- Handling Large Data Sets: I learned how to maintain and organize large Excel datasets in a structured way, which is a great option for ensuring data integrity.
- Creating Interactive Reports: This course provided a great way to create dynamic reports, allowing me to present data insights more effectively and in an engaging format.
- Using Dynamic Formulas: I gained practical knowledge on how to apply dynamic formulas with Excel’s powerful functions, like IF, VLOOKUP, INDEX, and MATCH to streamline operations.
- Understanding Complex Excel Formulas: I found that learning advanced formulas like VLOOKUP, MATCH, and INDEX helped me significantly improve data processing and analysis efficiency.
Pricing:
$5.83 for a course
How to Enroll in the Microsoft Excel 2013: From Beginner to Advanced and Beyond Course on Udemy?
- Step 1) Head over to the Microsoft Excel 2013: From Beginner to Advanced and Beyond course page on Udemy.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll Now” button. If you don’t have an account, you will be prompted to create one using your email or sign in if you already have one.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, start exploring the course content, starting with the beginner modules and advancing through to more complex topics such as VBA coding.
5) Microsoft Excel – Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions (Udemy)
Specs: Rating: 4.7 out of 5 | Duration: 9.5 hours on-demand video | Certificate of completion: Yes
Microsoft Excel – Advanced Excel Formulas & Functions allowed me to evaluate Excel’s core analytical capabilities in a practical learning format. Over the course of my evaluation, I was able to see how the training builds from foundational to intermediate complexity. It is important for learners to learn basic skills in a focused environment, and this course delivers that with clarity. It is ideal for professionals looking to enhance reporting accuracy and reduce manual calculations. Project managers rely on conditional formulas from this course to track deadlines and resource availability across multiple task sheets.
This course provides three downloadable resources, granting learners valuable tools for practical application. With full lifetime access and regular updates, the content remains current and relevant. The well-designed, easy-to-understand materials enhance learning efficiency. Accessible on both mobile and TV, the course offers flexibility for professionals seeking to strengthen Excel skills.
What Will You Learn?
- Excel Formula Expertise: By the end of this course, you’ll be able to write dynamic and powerful Excel formulas that will enhance the efficiency of your spreadsheet tasks.
- Automating Your Workflow: This course will allow you to automate tasks within Excel, making your workflow faster and more efficient, which is essential for managing large amounts of data.
- Building Formulas for Advanced Analysis: I learned how to build formulas to analyze dates, text fields, values, and arrays, which gave me the ability to solve complex data challenges.
- Utilizing Lookup Functions: This training covers how to use lookup and reference functions, helping you retrieve data from various sources, which is essential for efficient reporting.
- Logical Operators and Array Functions: The course dives into logical operators and array formulas, providing you with the tools to analyze data in a more advanced and accurate manner.
Pricing:
$8.73 for a course
How to Enroll in the Excel for Analysts Course on Udemy?
- Step 1) Head over to the Excel for Analysts course page on Udemy.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll Now” button. If you don’t have an account, you will be prompted to create one using your email or sign in if you already have one.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, begin your learning experience by diving into the course modules focused on enhancing your Excel skills specifically for data analysis.
6) Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling and Valuation (Udemy)
Specs: Rating: 4.6 out of 5 | Duration: 15 hours on-demand video | Certificate of completion: Yes
Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling and Valuation (Udemy) is a course I reviewed recently and found to be a practical solution for anyone aiming to build a career in finance. It helps you go from spreadsheets to real financial modeling and valuation techniques without getting lost in complex jargon. I particularly appreciate how it teaches structured model-building, something that is essential for analysts and advisors. It is a great option if you are transitioning from theory to real applications. Startup founders now apply these skills to estimate their company’s valuation before approaching venture capital firms or preparing equity financing rounds.
After the end of these online excel classes, you will able to build a P&L statement from a data extraction. This in-depth course includes 12.5 hours of on-demand video, 10 informative articles, and 548 downloadable resources, providing a rich learning experience. Learners benefit from full lifetime access, allowing continuous improvement at their own pace. With mobile and TV access, along with practical assignments, it supports comprehensive Excel skill development.
What Will You Learn?
- Master Microsoft Excel and its advanced features: You will be introduced to Excel’s most advanced functions, enabling you to analyze and manipulate data with great precision.
- Generating P&L statements from raw data extraction: One of the best ways to master financial reporting is by learning how to extract and generate P&L statements from raw data.
- Build cash flow statements: Building cash flow statements is essential for anyone looking to understand the movement of cash in and out of a business, a vital financial skill.
- Learn how to build valuation models: I found it helpful to learn how to construct accurate valuation models, which can be used for investment decisions or company analysis.
- How to create models with multiple scenarios: Creating models with multiple scenarios allows you to predict how changes in data impact financial outcomes, an essential tool in financial planning.
- Learn how to design professional and good-looking advanced charts: Excel’s charting tools are helpful to design impactful visuals that make your financial reports look professional and easy to understand.
Pricing:
$8.73 for a course
How to Enroll in the Beginner to Pro in Excel Financial Modeling and Valuation Course on Udemy?
- Step 1) Head over to the Beginner to Pro in Excel Financial Modeling and Valuation course page on Udemy.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll Now” button. If you don’t have an account, you will be prompted to create one using your email or sign in if you already have one.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, start your learning experience by exploring the course content focused on financial modeling and valuation in Excel.
7) Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Coursera)
Specs: Rating: 4.9 out of 5 | Duration: Approx. 6 months to complete (5 hours/week) | Certificate of completion: Yes
Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Coursera) offered me a clear and structured path to strengthen core Excel abilities. I reviewed the course and found that it helps anyone build the digital skills required to thrive in a data-driven workplace. It is perfect for those just starting out and looking to learn Excel with confidence. I particularly liked the challenge exercises—they are a great way to apply real-world logic to spreadsheets without feeling overwhelmed. Administrative assistants now rely on this course to improve accuracy in scheduling, expense tracking, and basic report building for departmental updates.
This 100% online course is designed for beginners, offering a flexible schedule to accommodate various learning needs. It supports multiple languages, including English, Vietnamese, Hungarian, and Arabic, making it accessible to a diverse audience. The course structure ensures foundational Excel skills are developed effectively in a convenient and inclusive format.
What Will You Learn?
- Perform calculations on data: Using Excel formulas and functions allows you to efficiently perform calculations on large datasets, saving time and reducing errors.
- Analyze data: I learned how to analyze complex data and present my findings in a user-friendly manner, which significantly improved my presentation skills.
- Learn how you can create charts and tables: Creating professional charts and tables is essential for transforming raw data into visually impactful insights that are easy to interpret.
- Learn how to validate data, find and correct errors: Validating and correcting errors in data is a critical skill, as it ensures that your reports and analyses are accurate and trustworthy.
- Create navigation aids for large workbooks: It is helpful to create navigation aids for large Excel workbooks, allowing you to quickly access different sections and manage data efficiently.
Pricing:
Free to enroll
How to Enroll in the Excel Skills for Business Specialization Certificate?
- Step 1) Head over to the Excel Skills for Business Specialization course page on Coursera.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll for Free” button. If you don’t have an account, create one using your email or sign in if you already have one.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, dive into the first course, where you’ll learn the essentials of Excel, including navigating the interface, performing basic calculations, formatting spreadsheets, and creating visualizations.
8) Free Excel Crash Course (CFI Education)
Specs: Rating: 4.5 out of 5 | Duration: Approx 3.5 hours to complete | Certificate of completion: Yes
Excel Skills for Business: Essentials (Coursera) provided me with a step-by-step approach to mastering Excel. During my research, I noticed that the course focuses heavily on digital skills that improve productivity. It’s designed to make you comfortable with Excel in just six weeks, starting with fundamental functions and building up to advanced visualization. In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to get up to speed with Excel, especially for those who are new to it or want to improve their existing knowledge. Human resource professionals have started applying these skills to streamline employee data management, analyze survey results, and prepare hiring reports with ease.
It is a specially designed course for users who are already performing financial analysis and modeling or are looking to a career in this field. It is an ideal course for learners who wants to pursue his/her career in Investment banking, corporate development, or equity research. This user-friendly course is ideal for learners seeking to understand Excel spreadsheets within the context of investment banking. It focuses on mastering keyboard shortcuts, functions, and formulas to enhance efficiency and accelerate modeling skills. Delivered 100% online and self-paced, it offers a convenient and practical learning experience for professionals.
What Will You Learn?
- Excel Layout: Learning to arrange and design an efficient Excel layout will help you organize your data more effectively and enhance workflow in large projects.
- Basic Financial Analysis Setup: A basic financial analysis setup is needed to track key financial metrics and create accurate financial reports to guide decision-making.
- Functions & Formulas: Excel’s powerful functions and formulas allow you to perform a wide range of calculations that would otherwise be time-consuming and error-prone.
- Qualified Assessment: I found performing a qualified assessment of financial data to be essential for verifying its accuracy, ensuring it is reliable for future analysis.
Pricing:
Free to enroll
How to Enroll in the Excel Fundamentals – Formulas for Finance Course?
- Step 1) Head over to the Excel Fundamentals – Formulas for Finance course page on the Corporate Finance Institute website.
- Step 2) Tap the “Enroll Now” button. If you don’t have an account, create one using your email or sign in if you already have one.
- Step 3) Once enrolled, start learning by exploring the course content on Excel 365, focusing on key functions like aggregation, date functions, and lookup functions tailored for financial analysis.
How Did We Choose Best Excel Courses?
Microsoft Excel remains an essential tool for professionals who aim to work efficiently with data-driven tasks. It’s important to learn Excel from courses that are accurate, practical, and taught by qualified experts. Our expert team evaluated numerous options to ensure you get high-quality, up-to-date learning paths.
- Course Content Quality: We made sure to shortlist only those courses that provide comprehensive, real-world Excel applications.
- Instructor Expertise: Our team chose based on instructors’ backgrounds in finance, analytics, and Excel certification credentials.
- Learning Format: The experts in our team selected the tools based on interactive modules and easy-to-follow video tutorials.
- Industry Relevance: We chose courses aligned with business, finance, and productivity roles that frequently require Excel expertise.
- Certifications Offered: We made sure the selected courses include credible certifications to help you stand out professionally.
- Student Feedback: We reviewed thousands of verified user ratings to ensure consistent satisfaction and trusted learning outcomes.
Verdict:
In this review, you got acquainted with some of the most popular Excel courses that offer valuable certification and skill-building potential. I have compared features, teaching depth, and platform usability to help you finalize your choice.
- Microsoft Excel: Business Intelligence w/ Power Query & DAX (Udemy): A robust course for those aiming to master data modeling and DAX; it delivers a comprehensive dive into BI workflows and project-based learning.
- Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel (Coursera): A user-friendly option ideal for structured learners; it provides strong foundational content, practical examples, and supports gradual progress with interactive tasks.
- Data Visualization with Advanced Excel (Coursera): This one stands out as a superior choice for developing visualization skills using PowerPivot and scenario tools, complete with dashboarding strategies that elevate reporting.
