Microsoft Excel for Beginners

Microsoft Excel for Beginners gives learners a practical introduction to creating and working with spreadsheets. Across eight Modules, learners cover workbooks and worksheets, accurate data entry, cell and number formatting, basic formulas and functions, Excel Tables, sorting and filtering, clear charts, and final checking, saving, sharing and printing.
The course is designed for beginners and keeps the focus on everyday workplace tasks. It does not move into Power Query, Data Models, advanced analysis or macros.

👥 What you need

No previous Excel qualification is required. Learners need sufficient English to follow the teaching and assessment, an internet connection and a suitable device with access to a current supported Excel environment for practice.

⏱ Learning time

Allow approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, including teaching videos, self-study activities and the final assessment.

📘 Module 1 — Getting Started with Excel Workbooks and Worksheets

A workbook is the Excel file; worksheets are the individual sheets inside it. Rows are numbered, columns are lettered and their intersection forms a cell such as A1. Learners should recognise common desktop and web interface differences without assuming every version looks identical.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Understand the Excel interface, workbook/worksheet structure and A1 cell references.
✓ Create a new workbook, rename two worksheets and enter headings in A1:C1.

Workplace application: Create a new workbook, rename two worksheets and enter headings in A1:C1.

📘 Module 2 — Entering, Editing and Organising Data

Select a cell, enter a value and confirm the entry. Tab and Enter can support efficient movement through a simple list. Use clear, single-row headers and keep one record per row. Review entries before calculations depend on them.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Enter and edit text, numbers and dates accurately and organise simple records.
✓ Build a small staff directory with Name, Department and Extension columns; correct an intentional entry error.

Workplace application: Build a small staff directory with Name, Department and Extension columns; correct an intentional entry error.

📘 Module 3 — Formatting Cells, Numbers and Worksheets

Apply suitable number formats for currency, percentages and dates; use borders, bold text and restrained fills to clarify headers and sections. Number formats affect display, not the stored value. Currency symbol behaviour can depend on locale and selected format.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Use formatting to make information readable without changing underlying values.
✓ Format a monthly budget with a clear header row, GBP-style currency where appropriate and readable date formats.

Workplace application: Format a monthly budget with a clear header row, GBP-style currency where appropriate and readable date formats.

📘 Module 4 — Basic Formulas and Functions

Excel formulas begin with =. Learners use arithmetic operators and functions such as SUM and AVERAGE with cell/range references. Relative references adjust when copied; absolute references such as $A$1 remain fixed.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Create simple calculations using formulas, cell references and common functions.
✓ Create a weekly expense table and calculate line totals plus a SUM for the overall claim.

Workplace application: Create a weekly expense table and calculate line totals plus a SUM for the overall claim.

📘 Module 5 — Creating and Using Excel Tables

A Table adds structured formatting and built-in filtering controls and can expand as records are added. Select the data, create a Table and confirm whether the first row contains headers. Use clear column names and avoid blank header cells.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Convert a clean data range into a structured Excel Table.
✓ Convert an office-supplies list into a Table and add a new item to observe the expanding structure.

Workplace application: Convert an office-supplies list into a Table and add a new item to observe the expanding structure.

📘 Module 6 — Sorting and Filtering Data

Sorting changes record order based on selected fields. Filtering temporarily hides rows that do not meet criteria. Learners should keep the full dataset selected or work within a Table so related row data stays together.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Rearrange and narrow data without deleting records.
✓ Sort a client list by sales value and filter it to show one region and values above a chosen threshold.

Workplace application: Sort a client list by sales value and filter it to show one region and values above a chosen threshold.

📘 Module 7 — Creating Clear Charts

Use column/bar charts for category comparison and line charts for trends over time. A pie chart may be suitable for a small number of parts of a whole, but it should not be used when categories are numerous or comparisons are difficult. Add a clear title and check that the selected source range is correct.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Choose and create simple charts that communicate the intended message.
✓ Create a line chart showing monthly revenue and a column chart comparing departments.

Workplace application: Create a line chart showing monthly revenue and a column chart comparing departments.

📘 Module 8 — Checking, Saving, Sharing and Printing Workbooks

A workbook is the Excel file; worksheets are the individual sheets inside it. Rows are numbered, columns are lettered and their intersection forms a cell such as A1. Learners should recognise common desktop and web interface differences without assuming every version looks identical.

By the end of this module, learners will be able to:

✓ Complete basic quality checks and save/share work appropriately.
✓ Perform a final workbook check, save with a controlled filename, inspect Print Preview and describe a suitable sharing method.

Workplace application: Create a new workbook, rename two worksheets and enter headings in A1:C1.