Advanced Excel Course
XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, advanced pivots, Power Query, Power Pivot and automation for people who already use Excel daily.
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Microsoft Excel training
Excel Course
Go from entering data to building reports your manager can trust - formulas, data cleaning, pivot tables, charts and dashboards, taught on realistic business files.
- Hands-on, project-based
- Trainer feedback on every module
- Free counselling & demo on request
- Format
- Live, instructor-led
- Duration
- Shared at counselling
- Fees
- Shared on enquiry
- Level
- Beginner to advanced
Excel course overview
This Excel course is built around the work people really do in spreadsheets: reconciling a bank statement, summarising a month of sales, cleaning an export from an accounting system, and turning rows of numbers into a one-page report.
You start with a solid foundation - structured tables, references, number formats and core functions - and move steadily into lookups, pivot tables, charts, an introduction to Power Query and Power Pivot, and dashboard design. For the deeper formula and automation material, the Advanced Excel course picks up where this one ends.
Who this course is for
- Students and fresh graduates who want a job-ready spreadsheet skill
- Accounts, finance, HR, sales and operations staff who build reports by hand
- Professionals who use Excel daily but rely on copy-paste and manual fixes
- Anyone planning to move on to Power BI or analytics
Prerequisites
- A Windows or Mac computer with Microsoft Excel (desktop version recommended)
- Basic computer skills - no prior Excel knowledge needed
What is Excel and why does it still matter?
Excel is the place where most business data first lands: system exports, vendor sheets, survey results and budget drafts. Knowing how to structure, clean and summarise that data quickly is the base skill underneath every analytics role - including those that later move to Power BI.
Core topics inside the course
Excel formulas and functions
SUM, IF, COUNTIFS, SUMIFS, text and date functions, plus how absolute and relative references really behave when you copy a formula.
Data cleaning
Remove duplicates, fix text-stored numbers, split columns, standardise dates and spot the blank rows that quietly break totals.
Pivot tables
Summarise thousands of rows, group dates, add slicers and build calculated fields without writing a formula per cell.
Charts and dashboards
Choose the right chart, remove clutter and combine KPIs, charts and slicers on a single readable page.
Power Query and Power Pivot
An introduction to repeatable cleaning and multi-table models - covered in depth in the Power Query course.
Macros
Record and edit simple macros to automate repetitive formatting.
What you will learn
- Build clean, structured tables and use Excel Tables correctly
- Write formulas with the right reference type and avoid common errors
- Use IF, SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, XLOOKUP and text/date functions confidently
- Clean messy exports into analysis-ready data
- Summarise and slice data with pivot tables and pivot charts
- Design charts and a simple dashboard for a business audience
- Protect sheets, validate input and prepare print-ready reports
Tools covered
- Microsoft Excel
- Excel Tables
- PivotTables
- Power Query (intro)
- Power Pivot (intro)
- Data validation
- Conditional formatting
Practical projects
Monthly sales summary. Turn a raw 5,000-row sales export into a clean table and a pivot-based region and product summary.
Expense tracker with controls. Build input sheets with data validation, lookups and conditional formatting that flags overspend.
Management dashboard. Combine KPIs, pivot charts and slicers on one page for a monthly review meeting.
Detailed curriculum
The program is taught module by module. Each module ends with a hands-on exercise built on business-style data.
Module 1Excel foundations
- Workbook structure, cell types, number and date formats
- Excel Tables, sorting, filtering and freeze panes
- Relative, absolute and mixed references
Module 2Formulas and functions
- Logical functions: IF, AND, OR, IFS
- SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, AVERAGEIFS
- Text functions: LEFT, MID, TEXTJOIN, TRIM
- Date functions and common formula errors
Module 3Lookups
- VLOOKUP and its limits
- XLOOKUP for exact and approximate matches
- INDEX and MATCH - when it is still useful
Module 4Data cleaning
- Remove duplicates, Text to Columns, Flash Fill
- Fixing text-stored numbers and inconsistent dates
- Data validation and drop-down lists
Module 5Pivot tables and pivot charts
- Rows, columns, values and filters
- Grouping dates and numbers
- Slicers, timelines and calculated fields
Module 6Charts and dashboards
- Selecting chart types for the question being asked
- Formatting for clarity
- Dashboard layout with slicers
Module 7Introduction to Power Query, Power Pivot and macros
- Import and transform data with Power Query
- Data Model basics
- Recording and editing a simple macro
Module 8Capstone project and review
- End-to-end report built from a raw dataset
- Trainer feedback and review
Learning methodology
Every concept is taught on a working file. You see the business question first - for example, "which regions missed target last quarter?" - and then build the formula, query or measure that answers it.
Each module closes with an exercise you complete yourself, followed by trainer feedback. Mistakes are part of the process: we cover the errors people actually hit, such as text-formatted numbers, broken lookups and wrong relationship direction.
Training files and practice datasets are provided so you can repeat every exercise after class.
Training format, batches and certification
Format. Instructor-led, practical sessions. Online, classroom and hybrid options are confirmed when you speak to us.
Batches. Upcoming batch dates are shared during counselling so you get current information. Ask for weekday, weekend or fast-track availability.
Certification. You receive a CharterPeak course completion certificate on completing the program and its assessments. This is not a Microsoft certification. If you want to prepare for a Microsoft exam such as PL-300, tell us and we will map the syllabus to the official skills outline.
Your trainers
Trainer names, backgrounds and areas taught are listed on our trainers page. Ask for a short demo class or a call with the trainer before you enrol.
Sample lesson: fixing a lookup that returns #N/A
A common first problem: a VLOOKUP returns #N/A even though the product code is clearly in the table. In class we trace the cause - usually a trailing space or a code stored as text on one side - fix it with TRIM and VALUE, then replace the formula with XLOOKUP so the result is easier to audit. This is the style of every lesson: a realistic fault, a diagnosis, a durable fix.
Career applications
- MIS executive, reporting analyst and data entry-to-analysis roles
- Accounts, finance and FP&A support
- Sales operations and business operations
- HR and payroll reporting
- A base for data analyst roles that also use Power BI
Continue your learning path
- Deepen your formulas in the Advanced Excel course
- Learn structured analysis in Excel data analysis
- Build better reports with the Excel dashboard course
- Automate cleaning with Power Query
- Combine tools in the Excel + Power BI + Data Analytics program
Frequently asked questions
I only know basic Excel. Which course should I join?
If you can enter data and use SUM but not lookups or pivot tables, start here. If you already use XLOOKUP and pivot tables, look at the Advanced Excel course.
Do you teach XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP?
Both. VLOOKUP is taught because you will meet it in existing workbooks; XLOOKUP is taught as the preferred approach where your Excel version supports it.
Which Excel version do I need?
Microsoft 365 or Excel 2021 is recommended so you can use XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays. Older versions work for most topics; we flag the differences.
What jobs use these skills?
Reporting, MIS, accounts, operations, sales support and entry-level analyst roles all use them. We do not guarantee placement - see Excel skills for jobs for how employers describe the requirements.
What is the duration of the Excel Course?
Duration depends on the batch (weekday, weekend or fast-track). We confirm the schedule and total hours when you speak to us, so you get current information rather than a fixed number on a web page.
Who can join the Excel Course?
Students, graduates, working professionals and career changers. The prerequisites are listed on this page; if you are unsure, book a free counselling call and we will point you to the right starting course.
Is the training practical?
Yes. Each module is taught on working files with exercises you complete yourself, followed by trainer feedback and project work.
Is the training online or in a classroom?
Delivery options depend on the batch. Ask about current online, offline and hybrid availability when you enquire.
Is certification provided?
You receive a CharterPeak completion certificate after finishing the program and its assessments. It is not a Microsoft certification and we do not promise exam results.
What fees and payment options apply?
Fees depend on the batch and format and are shared on enquiry. See our refund policy before you enrol.
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Read guide →Ready to start?
Talk to us about your background and goals. We will recommend the right batch and starting point - no pressure.