Top Excel Certificates & Certifications Online

This article compares hands-on training in Microsoft Excel certificate programs and certification prep courses available for learning through live online training.

The certificate programs listed below offer a variety of choices for training in Excel that either contributes to using the spreadsheet software for getting promoted and working more efficiently at a current workplace or helping someone prepare for a certificate 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 three-hours to 24 weeks with tuition between $45 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 costs $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 courses 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 include learning key skills that should help in 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 Certificates

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 courses 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 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.

ONLC Training: Excel MOS Certification Bundle

Key Information

This course is available for live online training from anywhere.

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 through 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 for 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

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

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 that 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 Associated Certification (MOS)

Key Information

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

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 in combination prepare students for taking the MOS: Microsoft Excel Associate exam, which costs $100.

Prerequisites: These Certstaffix courses should be taken in sequence with no prerequisites required since students will progress through introductory, intermediate, and advanced training for Excel that prepares 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 those seeking MOS: Microsoft Excel Associate certification, enrolling with Certstaffix Training for this bundle of Microsoft Excel courses can prepare them for the certification exam. Upon completing the three Excel courses, students will possess the skills needed for passing the exam.

Emory University Continuing Education: Microsoft Excel Bootcamp

Key Information

This course is available for live online, in-person, or on-demand training.

This three-hour course allows students to choose between a live online format or in-person/classroom format for $895 as well as an on-demand self-paced format that costs $795.

Prerequisites: No prerequisites have been listed for this program.

This course trains participants in using Microsoft Excel for analyzing information with SubTotals, PivotTables, and Scenario Manager as well as managing and manipulating large data tables using Format as Table, Text-to-Columns, and text functions. Upon completing this Excel bootcamp, students will possess knowledge that prepares them with the skills needed to pass the Microsoft Excel certification exam.

Learning Tree: Microsoft Excel Training Course

Key Information

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

This three-day live online course costs $1,950.

Prerequisites: No prior experience is required. 

This Microsoft training course provides participants with key skills for creating and editing worksheets, applying formulas and functions, and analyzing data using charting, conditional formatting, sparklines, and PivotTables. Upon completing this course, students will be able to efficiently navigate and manipulate worksheets and workbooks in Excel.

Learning Tree: Microsoft Excel Data Analysis Course

Key Information

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

This two-day live online course costs $1,590.

Prerequisite: No prior experience is required.

This course trains participants in analyzing large amounts of data along with lessons in building complex spreadsheets, performing What-If analysis, applying functions, manipulating PivotTables, and using the advanced features available with Microsoft Excel. Upon completing this course, students will have developed skills in advanced Excel techniques for building intricate spreadsheets.

Udemy: Microsoft Excel Certification Training

Key Information

This on-demand course provides six and a half hours of recorded video to help in preparing for the Microsoft Excel Certification exam at the cost of $45 with discounts available.

Prerequisites: No prior experience is required.

This on-demand course provides comprehensive training in Microsoft Excel that includes lessons on storing, organizing, and manipulating and visualizing data in charts and graphs. Upon completing this course, students will possess a strong foundation in data management and data analytics in preparation for passing the Microsoft Excel 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 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 ability 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 that individual’s skill level. By contrast, an Excel-related certificate program provides training in skills that can contribute to performing more efficiently in the workplace. While a certificate program is not a certification, certificate training may 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 focusing on Microsoft Excel that confirms a certain level of aptitude with the spreadsheet software. By passing the exam, an individual certifies skills with the application. However, there are several tiers or 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 skills needed for performing calculations, data analysis, and other functions using the spreadsheet software. The training from a certificate program can contribute to passing a certification exam.

Should I Pursue a Certificate or a Certification?

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

Certification in Microsoft Excel on a resume can demonstrate to potential 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 future career by seeking professional training that provides a high level of skills for Excel along with 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 revenue and expenses, 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 cataloging and 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 summarizing and analyzing data with 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 skill 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 circumstances. 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 expertise with 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 Excel 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 other students. However, getting back out on the road after a long day at work to find a classroom somewhere may not appeal to everyone as the best way for spending an evening, which is what makes enrolling in a virtual learning course a convenient alternative for training. Excel not only serves as a staple in workplaces all around the world for handling everything from financial records to basic data but also in helping with routine household functions like organizing bills or 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 provide the skills needed for contributing to and maintaining an efficient and productive working environment.

Deciding on whether to enroll in an in-person or live online Excel 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 at 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 by connecting 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 length of the course.

In choosing online training to participate in a Microsoft Excel certification 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.