Advanced Excel Training - takes you to the next level

Just take a moment if you will, to imagine being a contestant on a popular quiz show. I am sure you would feel quite confident if the first question to appear on your screen asked you to explain "what is Microsoft Excel?" If a practical challenge was incorporated into this quiz, I believe that you could go one step further without too much difficulty and create a spreadsheet, perhaps input some data and even present this information in a graphical format. However, if the quiz master was to press you further, could you create a pivot table or record a macro? If you have come to a grinding halt at this point in your quest to be quiz champion, it would suggest that you may be in need of advanced Excel training.

To attend an advanced Excel training course, it is expected that you have mastered the basic and intermediate principles of this spreadsheet program. Gaining an understanding of the more advanced features of Excel will enable you to be more efficient and ultimately, more effective in using this powerful software. To illustrate this point, let us consider some of the tools that are often explored on advanced Excel training courses.

Pivot tables

The ability to create pivot tables is one of the most powerful features of Excel, yet often appears daunting. A pivot table enables the user to quickly reorganise and summarise data without using formulae. It allows you to take selected data from an original spreadsheet and view it from different angles. Essentially, it is possible to summarise large quantities of data and subsequently identify meaningful trends and relationships.

Macros

If you frequently perform the same task in Excel, rather than continuing to repeat the process, it is possible to automate the task with a macro. An Excel macro is a set of instructions that is set in motion by a pre-selected shortcut, toolbar button or icon in a spreadsheet. Recording and using macros is useful because it saves time and streamlines your procedures when working with Excel.

Advanced Formulae

Creating and using formulae is one of the basic functions of Excel software. However, many people have not explored the full potential of this particular facility. For example, Excel can be used to create financial formulae for use in business projections and these results can eventually impact upon the decision making process.

These are just some of the tools that are covered during advanced Excel training courses. If you are interested in updating your knowledge of Excel to quiz championship standards then consider either self-directed learning or instructor-led courses. There is also the option to tailor instructor-led courses that exactly meet your requirements on a one-to-one level or group training for colleagues.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on advanced excel training, please visit http://www.microsofttraining.net