Excel learning guide

Which Excel course should you take?

Start at your current skill level, then choose a specialization based on the work you actually need to perform. This roadmap shows how the Insights Training Excel courses fit together.

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First, choose your starting point.

You do not need to take every course. Select the description that most closely matches your current work.

Start here

I am new to Excel

You need confidence with worksheets, formatting, formulas, sorting, filtering, charts, and basic PivotTables.

View Basic Excel outline →

Next step

I know the basics

You need stronger text, IF, math and VLOOKUP skills, plus charts, worksheet controls, PivotTables, and dashboards.

View Intermediate Excel outline →

Most common

I regularly build reports

You use formulas and PivotTables but need more structured lookups, data tools, PivotCharts, and analysis workflows.

View Advanced Level 1 outline →

Experienced user

I handle complex reports

You already use lookups and PivotTables and now need complex formulas, Microsoft 365 functions, data modeling, and automation.

View Advanced Level 2 outline →

The recommended core path

For most learners, these four courses form the natural progression from spreadsheet fundamentals to advanced reporting.

Basic Excel

Worksheet operations, essential formulas, data tools, charts, and introductory PivotTables.

View outline

Intermediate Excel

Intermediate functions, VLOOKUP, worksheet controls, combination charts, PivotTables, PivotCharts, and dashboards.

View outline

Advanced Excel — Level 1

Advanced formulas, structured data tools, PivotTables, PivotCharts, Copilot-assisted analysis, and introductory macros.

View outline

Advanced Excel — Level 2

Complex logic and lookups, modern Microsoft 365 functions, Power Query, Power Pivot, dashboards, and automation.

View outline

After Level 1, specialize according to your work:

Power Query

Best when you repeatedly clean, combine, reshape, or refresh data from files, folders, workbooks, Excel, or Power BI.

View outline

Excel Data Analysis

Best for statistical analysis, forecasting, advanced PivotTables, Power Pivot, ToolPak, regression, and decision support.

View outline

VBA

Macros and VBA

Best when you need to automate repeatable tasks, create programs, use loops and logic, or build UserForms.

View outline

Need broad coverage in one program?

Comprehensive Excel is the two-day fast-track option covering formulas, data tools, PivotTables, charts, dashboards, macros, Power Query, and Power Pivot.

View Comprehensive Excel

Compare the courses.

Use this table when two or more courses appear suitable.

Course	Best for	Recommended prerequisite	Core outcome	Outline
Basic Excel	Beginners and self-taught users with gaps	None	Confident everyday Excel use	View
Intermediate Excel	Basic Excel users ready for stronger functions and reporting	Basic formulas and worksheet navigation	Intermediate functions, data tools, charts, PivotTables, and dashboards	View
Advanced Level 1	Regular Excel users ready for structured analysis	Basic formulas and worksheet navigation	Lookups, data tools, PivotTables and PivotCharts	View
Advanced Level 2	Experienced report builders and analysts	Level 1 skills or equivalent	Complex formulas, modeling, dashboards and automation	View
Comprehensive Excel	Teams needing broad coverage quickly	Basic familiarity is helpful	Two-day end-to-end Excel capability	View
Power Query	Recurring data-cleaning and consolidation work	Comfortable with tables and datasets	Refreshable transformation workflows	View
Excel Data Analysis	Analysts, managers and decision-support teams	PivotTable familiarity recommended	Statistics, forecasting and analytical interpretation	View
Macros and VBA	Users automating repetitive spreadsheet processes	Strong everyday Excel knowledge	Programmable Excel automation	View

Still unsure? Match the problem.

Choose the statement that sounds most like your current challenge.

“I still struggle with formulas and everyday Excel.” “I know the basics but need stronger functions, charts, and PivotTables.” “I need stronger formulas, lookups and PivotTables.” “My reports and formulas are becoming complex.” “I clean and combine the same files every month.” “I need statistics, forecasting and deeper analysis.” “I want Excel to perform repetitive tasks automatically.”

Need a customized Excel pathway?

Tell us what your team currently does in Excel. We can recommend, combine, or customize modules around your actual reports and workflows.

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