Interesting question - How to learn Excel?
Posted
Sat, Jul 18 2009 14:27
by
Nate Oliver
I received an email from a nice fellow, from a very large Minneapolis-based organization, yesterday, asking how a coworker could learn to use Excel.
This is a pretty good question, for mature individuals in the workforce, or potential hobbyists who might think they'll have a need for the software, at some point.
Here's my advice, based on my experience.
I would not start on your own - the realm of possibilities are too vast and while it's easy enough to say "read the manual", you won't know what you're looking for.
A primer is in order. I would scour local Community Colleges for primer courses, e.g., if you were in the Twin Cities, Normandale Community College offers a beginner Excel course, on the weekends, for $99:
http://normandale.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=6235&int_category_id=5&int_sub_category_id=26&int_catalog_id=0#
The point in doing this is two-fold:
- Friendly price-point
- Establish a base understanding of Excel with hands-on assistance
I don't necessarily recommend that particular course or institution, as I haven't attended either, but it's an example of the concept. And they offer more advanced courses, too.
Once you have a good working base knowledge of Excel, and remember, we're learning to crawl before we walk, and walk before run, then I recommend to self-study.
Microsoft Excel MVP, Tom Urtis, has a write-up on this very subject, layering on additional Excel insight, in the following link:
http://www.atlaspm.com/faqxllearnmore.html#104
And I agree with this, as this is how I approach learning how to use Excel.
A few additional comments. You're not Neo, and this isn't 'The Matrix', you can't download an understanding of Excel directly into your brain. If you want to learn how to effectively use Excel, you've got to want it, and study it quite a bit, to the point where you feel your working knowledge is adequate.
I really believe that self-study and experimentation on Spreadsheets, that are mission-critical to you, are imperative for learning how to use Excel, versus contrived academic work. Have you ever been in a car that you're driving to a location you've never been, and you can recall how to get there, next time? But, while being a passenger, none of the voyage is retained?
In my experience, Excel is very much like this. It's easier to learn and retain if you're piloting, and what you're practicing is important to you.
With that, good hunting!