How to Learn MS Excel for Free: Your Ultimate Guide

Tom
4 min readFeb 25, 2025

Learning Microsoft Excel can be an invaluable skill, whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or business professional. With the rise of data-driven decision-making, knowing how to effectively use Excel can set you apart in the workforce. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available that will allow you to learn MS Excel for free, helping you to master this powerful tool without any financial investment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started on your Excel learning journey.

Free Resources to Learn MS Excel

1. GoSkills & HubSpot Academy Excel for Marketers Course

This free course focuses on the most commonly used formulas, functions, and shortcuts in Excel, tailoring specifically to marketing professionals. Designed for busy schedules, the course can be completed in under two hours and offers a certificate of achievement upon completion. Start learning here.

2. Microsoft’s Excel for Windows Training

Accessing Microsoft’s official training hub gives you a treasure trove of free tutorials covering the latest versions of Excel. The training is organized by functional learning modules, making it easier to navigate and apply your new skills practically. You can explore this resource here.

3. The Spreadsheet Page

Contextures, founded by Debra Dalgleish, offers hundreds of customizable Excel templates, along with step-by-step instructions for various tasks including data validation, creating PivotTables, and conditional formatting. Check out the fantastic templates available at Contextures.

4. Chandoo.org: Excel in an Hour

Chandoo.org features a free course containing 16 easy-to-follow tutorial videos, complete with downloadable exercise files and reference guides. This is a fantastic resource for quickly learning common Excel functions, and it also grants a certificate upon completion. Access the course here.

5. Trump Excel

Created by Microsoft Excel MVP, Sumit Bansal, this website offers over 100 Excel functions with detailed examples and videos. You’ll also find Excel tips for productivity and comprehensive tutorials covering topics like Excel Power Query and VBA. Plus, you can download a free 51 Excel tips ebook. Explore the site here.

6. Simplilearn: Introduction to MS Excel

Simplilearn provides a free, seven-hour self-paced video course that warms you up to essential spreadsheet features and data analysis. Great for beginners, this course also issues a shareable certificate upon completion. Find out more here.

7. Microsoft Excel — Improve Your Skills Quickly (Udemy)

This free Udemy resource covers spreadsheet terminology, workbook creation, data input, and formatting. It’s designed for beginners and is comprehensive, ensuring you grasp Excel basics effectively. Enroll in the course here.

Additional Tips for Excel Mastery

Practice with Free Spreadsheets

Nothing beats hands-on practice. Download free Excel spreadsheets from sites like Vertex42, Zapier’s Excel guide, and GCF LearnFree. Regularly practicing with real data will enhance your learning experience.

Daily 10-Minute Email Course (Spreadsheeto)

Sign up for Spreadsheeto’s daily 10-minute email course designed to ensure consistent learning. This is an excellent way to enhance your Excel skills gradually without feeling overwhelmed. Sign up here.

Beginner Tutorials and Resources

Websites like GoSkills and Udemy provide various beginner tutorials, downloadable templates, and shortcuts. These resources are perfect for getting acquainted with Excel’s features.

Exploring Paid Resources for Advanced Learning

While the free resources are abundant, you may also consider investing in quality paid courses for more structured learning. Websites like GoSkills and Udemy offer advanced classes that can significantly enhance your Excel skills. You might find their content beneficial as you progress from basic to advanced mastery.

For example, check out these online courses to elevate your proficiency in Excel.

Conclusion

Learning Microsoft Excel is an essential skill that can enhance your productivity and career prospects. By leveraging the free resources listed above, you can embark on your journey from basic to advanced Excel capabilities at no cost. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to polish your skills, these courses will help you efficiently learn Excel and unlock numerous possibilities in your professional life.

If you appreciate the information provided and want to support our mission at Excel Foundations, consider donating or purchasing our ebook for more comprehensive insights on mastering Excel.

Next Steps

  1. Enroll in a Free Course: Start with a structured course like GoSkills’ Excel for Marketers or Udemy’s Improve Your Skills Quickly to build a solid foundation.
  2. Utilize Microsoft’s Training Resources: Visit Microsoft’s official training hub for tutorials and materials directly from the source.
  3. Practice Hands-On: Download free practice spreadsheets from Vertex42 and apply what you’ve learned to real-life scenarios.
  4. Subscribe to Learning Emails: Sign up for Spreadsheeto’s daily 10-minute email course for continuous learning without feeling overwhelmed.
  5. Explore Additional Resources: Consider enhancing your learning with articles such as HubSpot’s guide on learning Excel resources for more comprehensive insights.
  6. Join Online Forums: Engage with others on platforms like Reddit’s Excel community to ask questions, share knowledge, and find additional resources.

This post was originally featured on Excel Foundations

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Written by Tom

IT Specialist with 10+ years in PowerShell, Office 365, Azure, and Python. UK-based author simplifying IT concepts. Freelance photographer with a creative eye.

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