Top Excel Certificates & Certifications in Chicago

This article compares hands-on training in Microsoft Excel certificate programs or certification available for learning in classrooms in and around Chicago or through virtual learning.

The certificate programs listed below offer a variety of choices for training in Excel that either contributes to using the spreadsheet software in working efficiently at a current position or helps with preparing to pass a certification exam.

Prospective students can enroll in Excel certificate programs or certification preparation courses that provide options for taking steps towards a future career. Class duration ranges from six-hours to six-months with tuition between $100 and $4,995.

Noble Desktop: Excel Bootcamp

Key Information

This course is available for live online training (virtual learning) from anywhere.

This 19-hour live online bootcamp cost $549 with financial options available. 

Prerequisites: Students must feel comfortable using computers, but no other prior knowledge is required.

This program offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year.

This bootcamp trains students in becoming proficient with Microsoft Excel for learning about functions, formulas, PivotTables, macros, and time saving techniques associated with the spreadsheet application. Lessons cover key skills that should help with improving efficiency in the workplace. Upon completing this course, students receive an official certificate testifying to their mastery of the curriculum that they can link to social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Noble Desktop: Data Analytics Certificate

Key Information

This course is available for live online training (virtual learning) from anywhere.

Students can enroll in the six-week full-time or 24-week part-time live online course for $4,995 with financial options available.

Prerequisites: Students must feel comfortable using computers, but no other prior knowledge is required.

This course offers additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of the class as well as an opportunity to retake the course for free within one year. 

This course focuses on providing the skills needed for becoming a Data Analyst with knowledge in data analysis and visualization, business intelligence, and database management. Training includes learning Microsoft Excel for handling database and statistical functions, including using PivotTables. Upon completing this certificate program, participants will be qualified for tech-related work across a spectrum of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, real estate, education, and video game development.

CTS Training: Excel Advanced

Key Information

420 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611

This single-day course can be taken inside Chicago classrooms or live online for $499.

Prerequisites: This course requires no prerequisites, but beginner-level and intermediate skills for working with Excel would be beneficial.

Training includes learning how to work with multiple Excel worksheets and workbooks, using lookup functions and formula auditing, automating workbook functionality, and forecasting data. Upon completing this course, students will have skills for working in a variety of capacities related to data analysis.

Sprintzeal: Microsoft Excel Certification Course

Key Information

73 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603

This course costs $4,975 for three-days of training inside Chicago classrooms or $1,475 for 24 hours of live online training. 

Prerequisites: No prerequisites have been listed for this program.

This course provides training from entry-level to advanced skills for Microsoft Excel that includes learning how to design and manage spreadsheets, analyze chunks of data efficiently, and use PivotTables and PivotCharts. Upon completing this Excel course, students will possess skills in data analysis, number crunching, and data visualization.

Chicago State University: Microsoft Excel Certification Training

Key Information

9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60628

This six-month on-demand, self-paced course costs $575 with installment options available.

Prerequisites: This course requires no prerequisites, but students must feel comfortable using computers and have some familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.

This course aims to train students in creating, modifying, and formatting Excel worksheets as well as performing calculations and learning Excel’s advanced features, including PivotTables, audit worksheets, data tools, macros, and collaboration methods. Upon completing this course, students should be prepared to pass the Microsoft Excel Expert Certification exam.

ONLC Training: Excel MOS Certification Bundle

Key Information

233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606

This certification program focuses on training for passing the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exam through training that includes a live online instructor-led (ILT) course along with an on-demand self-study course in an Excel MOS Certification bundle that costs $1,250 or $1,425 with the MOS Certification Add-on. The ILT course alone costs $945 or $1,120 with the MOS Certification Add-on. The on-demand self-study option by itself costs $495 or $670 with the MOS Certification Add-on.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites have been listed for this course.

It should be noted that ONLC courses are taught through remote instructors who are not in the same room as their students but teach these classes live online with participants having the option of using ONLC’s up-to-date computer labs.

This prep bundle of courses provides hands-on training on several levels of Microsoft Excel software for gaining the knowledge needed to earn MOS certification. Upon completing this program, participants should have the knowledge necessary for passing the authorized Microsoft Excel exam.

Ledet Training: Microsoft Excel 501—Microsoft Excel Bootcamp

Key Information

17 North State Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602

This three-day bundle of courses costs $999 for training in introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels of Microsoft Excel. 

Prerequisites: No prerequisites have been listed. 

This bootcamp combines the Excel 101, Excel 201, and Excel 301 courses into a single bundle taught on consecutive days, which provides compact, immersive training for acquiring skills in Microsoft Excel. Upon completing this course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the spreadsheet application.

Certstaffix Training: Microsoft Excel Associate Certification (MOS)

Key Information

205 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60601

Certstaffix Training offers courses that prepare students for passing the MOS: Microsoft Excel Associate exam. These live online courses include the single-day Excel—Level 1 course for $275, the single-day Excel—Level 2 course for $275, and the single-day Excel—Level 3 course for $275 that combine to prepare students for taking the MOS: Microsoft Excel Associate exam, which costs $100.

Prerequisite: These Certstaffix courses should be taken in sequence with no prerequisites required since students will progress through introductory, intermediate, and advanced training for Excel to prepare them for the MOS certification exam.

Students receive a Certstaffix Training Digital Badge after completing each course with an option for retaking any of the courses for free within six months.

For anyone seeking MOS: Microsoft Excel Associate certification, enrolling with Certstaffix Training for this bundle of Microsoft Excel courses can prepare students for passing the certification exam. Upon completing the three Excel courses, students should possess the skills needed for passing the exam.

NYIM Training: Excel Specialist Certification Program

Key Information

This course is available for live online training (virtual learning) from anywhere.

This 19-hour live online program costs $899, which is due before the start of the course.

Prerequisites: Students must feel comfortable using computers, but not other prior knowledge is required. 

This course provides opportunities to retake the class for free within one year along with video training for help in passing the certification exam.

This certificate program includes training from three Microsoft Excel courses for learning fundamental, intermediate, and advanced skills with the spreadsheet software. Upon completing this certificate program, participants will possess the knowledge needed for passing the Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification exam.

FAQ for Excel Certificates

People often get confused over the differences between certificate programs and certifications for training in Microsoft Excel. In a nutshell, the key difference is the level of proficiency demonstrated in identifying an individual’s skills. Certificate programs provide detailed technical training in specific areas while a certification verifies that a person has a high level of skills within a profession established through passing an exam.

In order to achieve Microsoft Excel certification, a candidate has to pass a proctored exam that meets the standards set for working with the spreadsheet application by confirming an individual’s skill level. By contrast, an Excel-related certificate program provides training in skills that contribute to performing efficiently in the workplace. While a certificate program is not the same as a certification, certificate training can help with passing a certification exam.

What is the Difference Between a Certificate and a Certification?

Anyone considering Excel-related certification or enrolling in a certificate program must realize that there are differences between the approaches. Certification involves passing an exam in Excel that confirms a certain level of aptitude with the spreadsheet software. By passing the exam, a person exhibits strong skills. However, there are several tiers of Excel certification that demonstrate different levels of expertise for working with the spreadsheet application.

By contrast, certificate programs offer completion-based training provided through in-person or live online courses that can last weeks or months. Upon completing a certificate program, students gain a solid foundation in Excel and possess the skill needed for performing advanced calculations, data and other functions using the spreadsheet software. The training from certificate programs can contribute to passing a certification exam.

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

More data gets processed these days than could have ever been imagined in the past. While several applications, tools, and platforms have been designed to help with data management and analysis, Microsoft Excel remains among the most popular and widely used tools across several industries.

Certification in Microsoft Excel on a resume can demonstrate to employers that a candidate has authenticated skills in Excel for using functions and tools such as PivotTables, VBA, and macros. While many professions use Excel, some jobs require greater proficiency with operating the spreadsheet application. Possessing Excel certification validates someone’s willingness to invest in a career with regard to professional training that includes a high-level of training in Excel and the determination required for passing a certification exam.

Do I Need to Become Certified to Find a Job?

Microsoft Excel is the most widely used spreadsheet application around the world that helps users organize information, log business expenses and revenue, and analyze data. Enhancing knowledge with Excel can expand anyone’s options for employment with skills for arranging numbers, monitoring financial transactions with accounting, managing contact information for organizing leads and clients in business as well as tracing sales information, ROI (return on investment), and business critical data.

Individuals can find certification programs for training in Excel to learn advanced techniques that include formulas and functions for working more efficiently as well as being able to summarize and analyze data using tables, charts, and PivotTables.

Training in Microsoft Excel should help anyone’s resume standout in a job search armed with knowledge in data analysis, data manipulation, and functions with skills in an efficient method for transforming information. 

What Certificate Program is Right for Me?

Individuals can achieve three levels of Excel certification as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) with Excel Associate Certification, Excel Expert Certification, and Excel Master Certification.

To gain the Excel Associate Certification, a candidate must demonstrate knowledge with essential Excel capabilities and functions for creating worksheets and workbooks, managing spreadsheet data, and performing basic formatting tasks. The exam also requires that students demonstrate the ability to create tables, ranges, objects, and charts as well as working with basic functions and formulas.

To pass the Excel Expert Certification exam, an individual must exhibit skills with the spreadsheet software beyond what is needed for passing the Associate Certification exam. Candidates must indicate an ability to create, manipulate, and share professional-level spreadsheets related to a variety of purposes or situations. Excel Expert Certification verifies that an individual can manage numerous workbook options and settings, format datasets, create advanced formulas and macros as well as create and work with advanced charts and tables.

The Excel Master Certification represents the highest level of certification available with Microsoft Office. To achieve this level of certification, candidates must demonstrate that they have mastered not only a single Office application but that they have mastery in four different Microsoft apps. This requires an individual to pass Expert-level exams in Excel and Word along with passing an exam for PowerPoint, and one additional Office application such as Outlook or Access.

Which is Better: In-Person or Online Classes

Choosing between enrolling in an in-person or live online Microsoft certificate program will depend greatly on an individual’s ambitions or comfort level. Some people simply prefer learning inside a classroom for being able to physically interact with teachers and classmates. However, getting back out on the road after a long day at work to find a classroom somewhere in Chicago may not appeal to everyone as the best way to spend an evening, which would make enrolling in a virtual learning course a convenient option for training. Excel not only serves as a staple in workplaces throughout the world for handling everything from financial records to basic data but for also helping with basic household functions like organizing bills and collecting recipes. Anyone working anywhere from a corporation to an academic institution to freelance work uses Microsoft Excel, which means that training in the spreadsheet software can deliver the skills needed for contributing to and maintaining an efficient and productive working environment.

Deciding whether to enroll in an in-person or live online certificate program will depend on an individual's situation in life. Live online training allows individuals to receive the same level of education that they would get from sitting inside a classroom while being able to learn from home. Either method of training provides an effective way for improving on skills with Excel for help with finding a new career or advancing within a current position.

Which is Better: Live Online or Asynchronous Classes?

Anyone considering training for Microsoft Excel can choose between synchronous or asynchronous training. Synchronous classes take place in real-time with students and instructors participating at a designated time from different locations through a live stream. Asynchronous classes provide more dynamic and flexible scheduling for students with the option of being able to access course material from any location at any time during the duration of the course.

In choosing online training to participate in a Microsoft Excel certificate program, people can choose between synchronous or asynchronous approaches. Synchronous courses let instructors and students interact in real-time while asynchronous courses allow participants to access lessons and material whenever they choose.