Excel remains one of the most widely used tools in business, yet most professionals only tap a fraction of its capabilities. This course equips employees with the practical Excel skills needed to analyze data, build accurate calculations, and create clear visual insights that support better decision-making. Through hands-on exercises and real business scenarios, participants learn how to work confidently and efficiently in Excel-regardless of their starting skill level.

Who This Course Is For

• Professionals who use Excel in daily operations
• Employees who manage budgets, sales data, or operational reports
• Supervisors and analysts who need stronger data-driven decision-making skills
• Anyone seeking to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence in Excel

No prior Excel experience is required.

Key Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

• Navigate Excel efficiently and structure data for analysis
• Apply formatting and table tools to create clean, professional worksheets
• Build formulas and functions that automate calculations
• Sort, filter, and manage large datasets
• Use logical functions to evaluate conditions and model scenarios
• Create charts and visualizations that communicate insights clearly
• Optional: Apply lookup functions (VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, XLOOKUP) to connect data
• Optional: Build practical business tools such as budgets, forecasts, and amortization schedules

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Course Modules

1. Excel Foundations
   • Understanding the Excel interface
   • Navigating worksheets efficiently
   • Selecting cells, ranges, and differences
   • Using the Fill Handle
   • Building structured tables for clean data
   • Table features for sorting, filtering, and analysis
2. Working with Data & Worksheets
   • Inserting, deleting, and resizing rows/columns
   • Consolidating data across sheets
   • Alignment tools: Merge & Center, Wrap Text, Orientation
   • Custom cell formatting for clarity and consistency
3. Formatting for Professional Results
   • Applying and modifying number, date, and percentage formats
   • Custom format examples
   • Pre-tax cost calculations
   • Autofill techniques for fast, accurate work
4. Core Formulas & Math Functions
   • Writing basic formulas
   • Division and other math functions
   • Absolute vs. relative references
   • Order of operations
   • Array formulas (Intro)
   • Function Wizard basics
5. Sorting, Filtering & Data Management
   • Basic and custom sorting
   • Creating and using custom lists
   • Filtering data, including unique values and number filters
   • Clearing filters and restoring full datasets
6. Viewing & Navigation Tools
   • Freezing rows and columns for easier analysis
7. Conditional Formatting & Visual Insights
   • Creating rules to highlight key information
   • Data bars, color scales, and icon sets
   • Data series examples for trend identification
8. Essential Functions for Everyday Work
   • SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN
   • Working with multiple ranges
   • Editing predicted ranges
   • Logical functions: IF, IFS, AND/OR
   • "What-If" analysis
   • Nested functions
   • Autofill with logical functions
9. Charts & Data Visualization
   • Chart basics and insertion
   • Chart design tools and contextual tabs
   • Editing chart elements and data series
   • Creating charts from partial tables
   • Data labels and pie chart best practices
10. Lookup & Reference Functions
    • LOOKUP and VLOOKUP
    • INDEX/MATCH
    • XLOOKUP
    • Autofill techniques for lookup formulas
11. Applied Business Scenarios
    • Budget and expense tracking
    • Orders and sales analysis
    • Forecasting and trend evaluation
    • Inflation discounting
    • Amortization schedule
    • Future value calculator
    • Invoice template
    • Dialog box controls (intro to form controls)

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No public sessions are currently scheduled.
Contact opce@uah.edu to schedule this course for your organization.