Microsoft Excel Certification: Cost and Benefits

Posted on 01/01/2019 by Niko Venev

If you work in a data-driven industry, you’ve probably come to recognize Microsoft Excel’s value in your workplace. Whether you’re a business owner or an employee, learning Excel can help you manage and interpret data within seconds, making your job easier. Many in the workforce express interest in learning Excel and testing for certification, but they can be intimidated by the potential investment. When attempting to budget for the Microsoft Excel certification cost, you’ll first have to realize that several factors can influence how much money you’ll ultimately invest in training and testing before you can become certified.


       

Live Excel Instructor-led Courses

Course Title (click for details & dates) Length Price (USD)
Excel - Level 1 1 day $275
Excel - Level 2 1 day $275
Excel - Level 3 1 day $275
Excel - Combo (Levels 1-3) 3 days $750
Excel - Dashboards 1 day $275
Excel - Data Analysis with PivotTables 1/2 day $275
Excel - VBA Programming 3 days $995
       

Self-Paced Excel eLearning

Course Title (click for details & purchase) Length Price (USD)
Excel 2016 eLearning Bundle 9 courses $250
Excel 2019 eLearning Bundle 7 courses $250
Excel 365 eLearning Bundle 7 courses $250
Excel 2016: Part 1 5 courses $125
Excel 2016: Part 2 5 courses $125
Excel 2016: Part 3 5 courses $125
Excel 2016: Part 4 5 courses $125
Excel 2016: Part 5 5 courses $125
Excel 2019: Part 1 5 courses $125
Excel 2019: Part 2 5 courses $125
Excel 2019: Part 3 5 courses $125
Excel 365: Part 1 5 courses $125
Excel 365: Part 2 5 courses $125
Excel 365: Part 3 5 courses $125
Excel 365: Part 4 5 courses $125
Office 365 - New Features and Overview eLearning Bundle 8 courses $250

Is Excel Training Worth It?

If you’re the head of a large corporation or a small business owner, investing in Excel training can offer you a number of benefits. When you learn how to navigate and work with these documents, you can access an unlimited amount of business-related data without having to wait for an employee to interpret it for you. Digital spreadsheets can quickly give you a glimpse into the health of your business, and they can illustrate:

  • Which aspects of your business are the most profitable
  • Which team members are the most productive
  • Where you should concentrate future efforts for maximum impact on your bottom line

With the changing landscape of modern business and the increased reliance on technology to process and interpret data, you can consider the initial Excel certification cost to be an investment in your company’s ability to match and exceed competitors’ efforts. Additionally, covering the costs for employees’ training can plant the seeds for a more productive staff. You can recoup at least some of your investment in training by taking advantage of deductions on your taxes.

Many employees find Excel certification worth it if they anticipate having to regularly use the program in their professional lives. Undergoing training to obtain even basic skills can significantly increase their competency on the job, especially if they expect to work with large amounts of data that they need to enter, update, or organize in spreadsheets. Further, many business owners provide incentives to employees who want to enroll in training and certification programs, including possible promotions.

 

What Does Microsoft Excel Certification Cost?

Those researching Microsoft Excel certification cost information may suffer from some sticker shock if they follow traditional paths to certification. Employees often look into obtaining the basic Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification provided by Microsoft. Certifications can be offered at different skill levels, including Specialist, Expert, and Master, and can cover the whole range of programs bundled in the Office suite, including Excel. While the test itself may only cost around $100, money spent on the goal of achieving certification can easily add up due to:

  • Training courses and classes
  • Practice test materials
  • Books
  • Other supplemental materials and services, such as tutoring
  • Potential retakes of tests

Third-party vendors of certifications do exist, but a fair number of employees decide that pursuing the MOS certification is more beneficial to their careers. The reason is simple: Employers tend to have an easier time verifying credentials provided by Microsoft.

Employees who find themselves wanting to pay for courses out of pocket may wonder about the feasibility of expenses related to Excel certification. Cost factors for Excel training can be offset in the long term, especially when considering that many employees enjoy a significant pay increase after learning how to use this software. In addition to developing expertise, employees may find Excel certification worth it simply because the skill is transferable between jobs: Occupational horizons may instantly widen for employees considering a change of position.

At Certstaffix Training, our Excel courses have been specifically designed to prepare you for taking the MOS certification test. We offer a number of classes for varying skill levels, from basic to advanced, and always have a live instructor available to walk you through the training. Sign up for one our online courses to invest in your digital literacy and demonstrate competency in your workplace!

 

Microsoft Excel Certifications:

 







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How Much Do Your Online Excel Classes Cost?

Our live online Excel class prices start at $275 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Excel eLearning courses cost $125 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.

What Microsoft Excel Skills Should I Learn?

A: If you are wondering what Microsoft Excel skills are important to learn, we've written a Microsoft Excel Skills and Learning Guide that maps out Excel skills that are key to master and which of our courses teaches each skill.

Read Our Microsoft Excel Skills and Learning Guide

What is Microsoft Excel and Why is it Important to Learn?

A: Excel is an industry standard spreadsheet program created by Microsoft that can be used to enter, edit, and compute numerical data analysis for professional business use. It increases productivity and the accuracy of important data. Those involved in financial calculations (financial analysts), accounting (bookkeepers), and other positions that use spreadsheets to organize data may benefit most from an Excel course to learn Excel. Excel can be used to develop budgets, track sales, create reports, graph data, and streamline accounting tasks. Enrolling employees in an online Excel class is a great way to ensure they have the skills needed to succeed in their role at your company.

More Information on What is Excel and Why is it Important to Learn

What's the Best Way to Learn Excel for Beginners?

A: Learning the fundamentals of Excel can give employees the capability that they need to enter data into digital spreadsheets and process it quickly. The best online Excel classes teach the basics of the Excel spreadsheet program to analyze data and define what workbooks are and train employees on how to correctly use formulas and program features such as pivot tables. Investing in a live instructor online Excel class that can guide students through lessons is almost always the best way to learn Excel. At the end of a basic Excel course, students should be able to track numbers, input data and formulas (data calculations), sort through data, and create charts (data visualization).

More Information on the Best Way to Learn Basic Excel

Is Excel Training and Certification Worth the Cost?

A: Business owners and employees who work with data and spreadsheets may find that attending an Excel course can sharpen skills, ensure data accuracy, and increase productivity in the workplace. Formal training can pay dividends, especially if a certification test, such as the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exam, is taken. Investing in training can help employees prepare for the test as well as reduce or eliminate the need for exam retakes. Moreover, employees may consider training and certification a worthwhile investment in their careers, as the skill can be applicable to future jobs and even different industries.

More Information on Excel Certification Cost and Benefits

Are Intermediate and Advanced Excel Skills in Demand?

A: While basic knowledge of Excel can improve employees’ productivity and help them contribute to the overall health of a business, intermediate and advanced Excel skills can transform employees into indispensable assets to employers. Higher-level Excel skills are applicable across several different industries, and hiring managers are increasingly seeking applicants with in-depth knowledge of the software. Employees with even basic Excel proficiency enjoy significant pay bumps and rosier long-term career prospects. Business owners who hire employees with great Excel skills can find themselves relying on their quick analysis of business-related data to make important decisions.

More Information on the Benefits of Advanced Excel Training

Which Excel Formula Should I Use When?

A: Determining which Excel formulas and functions you should use in your office can depend on the specific business tasks that you want to perform. Whether you’re attempting to juggle human resource duties, like schedules or benefit planning, or keep operations running smoothly by checking inventory or running balances, there’s a perfect Excel formula or function for you. Using just a few of the many available Excel formulas and functions can save you time, keep your records accurate, and ensure that you’re maximizing your productivity, among other advantages.

More Information on Excel Formulas and Functions

What Are Advanced Excel Skills, and How Can I Learn Them Online?

A: When hiring managers talk about “advanced Excel,” they’re usually referring to Excel’s most complex features and functions and the higher-level skills that are required to use them. Employees with advanced Excel skills often occupy positions that require expert data analysis and organization, such as accountants and bookkeepers. To learn Excel advanced skills, you can enroll in online courses that offer training on how to work with common complex Excel features like VBA programming or PivotTables. Obtaining advanced Excel skills can often put you on the path to a promotion or help you stand out from a crowd of job applicants, and companies benefit from the greater efficiency that comes with having highly skilled workers.

More Information on Advanced Excel Skills and How to Learn Them Online

Why Is Microsoft Excel Important, and What’s the Best Way to Learn It?

A: Learning Excel is one of the best ways to increase your value as an employee. Aside from helping you to learn the skills necessary to successfully manage data, taking an Excel Microsoft Office Specialist certification course and earning this credential can result in a pay raise or a promotion. While many employees choose to learn Excel in an on-site classroom, others are increasingly turning to online Excel courses for instruction. The best online excel classes are structured, specialized, and built upon preexisting knowledge. High-quality training courses can cost hundreds of dollars, regardless of whether the classes are taken in person or online.

More Information on Why Microsoft Excel Is Important and How to Learn Excel

What Excel Skills Do Employers Value, and How Can I Improve on Mine?

A: While many employers value advanced Excel skills, basic Excel knowledge can also be in demand, as long as those skills are relevant to the job that you’re performing. At a minimum, employers expect that employees understand the fundamentals of the software, including basic navigation, formulas, find and replace, and sorting and filtering. To improve your Excel skills and stand out as a candidate, brush up on the fundamentals by reviewing basic features and functions and practicing them within the program. For top-notch, quick instruction, enroll in professional Excel courses designed to improve your skills within only a few days.

More Information on the Excel Skills Employers Value and How to Improve Them

What Are the Benefits of Learning Excel, and How Can I Learn it Fast?

A: Professionals who rely on Excel to manage data may find that sharpening their Excel skills helps them to be more productive and efficient at organizing and analyzing data, performing complex calculations, and creating graphs and charts. Job-seekers with demonstrable Excel skills increase their attractiveness to employers, find it easier to make career transitions, and may even enjoy significant pay increases. To simplify and speed up your ability to learn Excel, determine which particular skills you need to effectively perform your job and sign up for an Excel course that builds upon your knowledge and covers these concepts.

More Information on the Benefits of Learning Excel and How to Learn it Fast

How Can I Learn Excel Quickly?

A: Learning Microsoft Office programs like Excel quickly will depend on your ability to identify which features and functions of the program you will need to use regularly to perform your job and focus on learning each while using good time-management skills. To further speed up the process of learning, you can take advantage of the software’s built-in shortcuts and workflow streamlining features. If you sign up for a reputable, instructor-led online Excel class, you can learn Excel skills in as little as one day.

More Information on How to Learn Microsoft Excel Quickly

What Levels of Online Excel Classes Are Available?

A: [Instructor-led] - There are three levels of online Excel classes available: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Basic level 1 is for those who are new to Excel or need a refresher on the basics. Intermediate level 2 is for those who want to learn more about intermediate-level features and functions. Advanced level 3 is for those who want to take more advanced Excel training to learn more advanced formulas and functions. [eLearning] - There are three to five levels for online excel classes delivered by eLearning video tutorials. Both learning methods allow students to learn one of the most important Microsoft Office Suite programs.

What Topics Are Covered in Your Excel Training?

A: Popular topics covered in both our onsite and online Excel courses to learn Excel include, but are not limited to:

  • Advanced Formulas
  • Built in Functions
  • Conditional Formatting
  • Creating Charts
  • Data Analysis
  • Data Entry
  • Data Visualization
  • Data Calculations
  • Data Validation
  • Data Modeling
  • Excel Tables
  • External Databases
  • Pivot Tables
  • And many more important skills to learn the Excel program...

Who Uses Microsoft Excel?

A: Microsoft Excel is a versatile spreadsheet program used by professionals in a variety of industries. The program is widely used in business and finance to manage data, create charts & graphs for data visualization, analyze data with pivot tables and perform complex calculations. Additionally, Excel is used by financial analysts, business intelligence analysts, scientists, researchers, and students to organize and analyze data for tasks such as data modeling. With its many features and functions, Excel is a powerful tool used by professionals across many industries.

How To Learn Excel For Data Analysis?

A: Excel is a spreadsheet program used by professionals in a variety of industries for data management, analysis, and visualization. If you want to learn how to use Excel for data analysis, you can attend online Excel classes or take eLearning video tutorials that will teach you the basics and more complex tasks of the program (like pivot tables). As with any software, it's important to have a good foundation in the basics before moving on to more advanced concepts. Once you have a good understanding of the program, you can begin to learn how to use Excel for data analysis.

What Are Excel Pivot Tables?

A: Excel pivot tables are one of the most powerful features of Excel. They allow you to quickly and easily summarize data in a variety of ways. You can use pivot tables to create reports, analyze data, and make decisions.

Excel pivot tables are created by placing fields of data into specific areas called buckets. The data in each bucket is then summarized and displayed in a table. You can use the pivot table to see how the data changes based on the values in each bucket.

There are four main areas of a pivot table:

  1. The Filters area allows you to filter the data in the pivot table.
  2. The Columns area allows you to choose which columns of data to include in the pivot table.
  3. The Rows area allows you to choose which rows of data to include in the pivot table.
  4. The Values area allows you to choose how the data in the pivot table should be displayed.
How many hours does it take to learn Excel?

A: It depends on your level of expertise and how much time you are willing to dedicate to learning the program. If you are starting from scratch, it will take longer than if you already have some experience with spreadsheets and data entry. Generally speaking, you can expect to spend at least 10-20 hours learning the basics of Excel. However, becoming an expert can take much longer, sometimes hundreds of hours of practice.

What is basic Excel training?

A: Basic Excel training covers the fundamental skills and concepts needed to use this popular spreadsheet software effectively. Topics typically covered in a basic Excel training course include entering and editing data, creating formulas and functions, working with charts and graphs, and using various excel features such as pivot tables. Whether you're just getting started with Excel or looking to brush up on your skills, a basic Excel training course can help you get the most out of this powerful software.

How many days will it take to learn Excel?

A: Assuming you have a basic understanding of computers and how to use them, it should take you about 3-5 days to learn the basics of Excel. However, if you want to become an expert at using Excel, it will take much longer – months or even years of practice. Our Excel classes can fully train you on all of Excel's features. There are also plenty of resources available online and offline to help you learn Excel at your own pace. And once you get the hang of it, Excel can be an incredibly powerful tool for managing data and analyzing information.

What is the best way to learn Excel?

A: If you want to learn Excel, there are a few different ways you can go about it. You can attend an excel training course, either in person or online. You can also watch video tutorials or read books and articles on the subject. Whichever method you choose, make sure you start with the basics and work your way up to more advanced concepts. With a little patience and practice, you'll be an excel expert in no time!

What are the top Excel skills?

A: When it comes to Excel, there are a few key skills that can really help you get the most out of the program. Here are four of the top Excel skills that you should focus on developing:

Top Microsoft Excel Skills

1. Navigating the interface – One of the most important things you can do in Excel is to learn how to navigate the interface effectively. This means knowing how to find the right tools and features quickly and easily, without getting lost in the process.

2. Working with data – Another key skill is knowing how to work with data in Excel. This includes everything from inputting data correctly to performing calculations and analysis.

3. Creating charts and graphs – Visualizing data is a key part of working with Excel, and being able to create charts and graphs can be a huge help.

4. Automating tasks – Finally, learning how to automate tasks in Excel can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. This could involve creating macros or using built-in features like pivot tables.

Developing these key skills will help you get the most out of Excel and make your work with the program much more efficient. Invest some time in learning and practicing these skills and you’ll be surprised at how much easier Excel can become.

Where Can I Learn More About Excel?

Excel Blogs

Excel User Groups

Excel Online Forums

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Certstaffix Training provides Excel classes near me or online, depending on the number of students involved. We offer online courses for individual learners, as well as in person classes at your office for corporate groups. Our trainers are highly experienced professionals with the expertise necessary to help you gain a thorough understanding of Excel concepts and tools. With our courses available online for individuals or in person for corporate groups, it's easy to develop your Excel skills. Start learning today and see how Certstaffix Training can help you reach your goals.

 

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