5 Approaches to Learning Excel

Learning how to become a power excel user takes time and years of practice. Don’t expect to understand everything at the onset as it can be very frustrating. The learning curve and the language used takes time to understand, never mind the program interface itself. You should dedicate at least an hour everyday at work or at home to learn something about excel. Here are some approaches you can take to learn faster and become more productive.

1) Templates are useful for getting to know what excel can offer as well as how calculations and formulas work. Once you have the template you can change it to suit your needs. This way you learn how to use excel and gain practice in adapting it.

2) Excel Books – there are loads of ebooks and courses you can take on the subject.

3) There is plently of information on the web in forums and blogs on the subject. If you ever have a problem on how to do something in excel, then searching the web is likely to be your first approach, especially when looking for free templates.

4) Many documents and manual computer tasks can be automated using excel or even word. Try and think of what documents could be improved using excel. This can be your chance to volunteer to solve a problem and improve overall productivity. It also gives you another excuse to practice excel on office time.

5) Learn to become a recognised expert for the program. You will reach to a stage when you are fairly confident with excel and are very efficient in using it. You have to really know what you are doing in order to pass. The good thing about it is that you need to become knowledgeable in the less well known commands and tools that excel offers such as input tables, goal seek and scenario planner. There are resources on the web and books that detail what is required in the exam and what you need to learn.

Combine as many of the 5 approaches above, and you will learn excel faster than you ever imagined. Just make sure you don’t forget to practice and write down what you have learned in detailed steps. Over time you are likely to forget, so you will have something to refer back to.

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