Excel 365 Fundamentals – Getting Started and Core Skills
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Excel 365 Fundamentals – Getting Started and Core Skills
This course is part of Master Microsoft Excel & 365 Apps: Beginner to Advanced Specialization
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What you'll learn
Master the essential features of Excel 365, including its interface and navigation tools.
Gain proficiency in creating spreadsheets, entering data, and using Excel templates.
Learn how to apply and customize formulas for efficient data analysis.
Explore tools like conditional formatting, charts, and real-time collaboration in Excel.
Skills you'll gain
Tools you'll learn
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March 2026
20 assignments
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There are 19 modules in this course
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Learn the core skills needed to navigate and master Microsoft Excel 365 in this comprehensive beginner course. From basic navigation to more advanced formula creation and data analysis, this course is designed to provide you with a solid foundation for using Excel effectively in various contexts. Throughout the course, you'll engage in hands-on exercises that will reinforce the concepts and techniques covered in the lessons. You'll explore how to navigate the Excel interface, customize your workspace, and efficiently create and manage spreadsheets, followed by mastering essential formulas and formatting features. The course journey starts with an introduction to Excel 365 and its online portal, providing you with a user-friendly guide to start working. It then takes you step-by-step through critical tasks like creating spreadsheets, applying functions and formulas, and organizing your data with tables and lists. You'll also learn how to present your findings with charts and apply advanced formatting techniques to enhance the appearance and usability of your worksheets. This course is perfect for beginners with little to no experience in Excel. It is designed for individuals who want to develop their foundational skills in spreadsheet creation, data organization, and basic data analysis. There are no prerequisites, making it ideal for anyone looking to improve their Excel skills from scratch. By the end of the course, you will be able to confidently navigate Excel 365, create spreadsheets, apply formulas, format data, analyze information, and collaborate in real-time with others.
In this module, we will introduce the Excel 365 Beginner course and provide an overview of what to expect. You’ll also learn how to access and navigate the online portal, followed by an exercise to solidify your foundational Excel knowledge.
What's included
3 videos2 readings
3 videos•Total 11 minutes
- Introduction to the Specialization•3 minutes
- Excel 365 Online Portal•7 minutes
- Microsoft Excel 365 Beginner – Course Introduction Exercise•1 minute
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
- Introduction to the Course 'Excel 365 Fundamentals: Getting Started & Core Skills'•10 minutes
- Full Specialization Resources•10 minutes
In this module, we will guide you through the steps to launch Excel and explore its interface. You’ll also learn how to personalize your workspace with the Quick Access Toolbar and keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 37 minutes
- Launch Excel•4 minutes
- Explore the Interface•10 minutes
- Work with Contextual Menus, Ribbons, and Panes•5 minutes
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar•7 minutes
- Keyboard Shortcuts•8 minutes
- Get Started in Excel 365 Exercise•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Get Started in Excel 365 - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you how to create and manage Excel spreadsheets. You will explore templates, organize workbooks, and practice entering and formatting data, including text, numbers, and dates.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 36 minutes
- Excel Templates•7 minutes
- Work with Workbooks and Worksheets•7 minutes
- Save Workbooks to OneDrive•5 minutes
- Enter Text, Numbers, and Dates•7 minutes
- Custom Lists•7 minutes
- Create an Excel Spreadsheet Exercise•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Create an Excel Spreadsheet - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce you to the fundamentals of Excel formulas, starting with the order of operations (BODMAS). You’ll also learn how to create simple formulas and explore key functions for everyday calculations.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 48 minutes
- The Order of Operations (BODMAS Rule)•7 minutes
- A Simple Formula•7 minutes
- The 'Big 6' Functions•6 minutes
- Absolute vs Relative Referencing•7 minutes
- Quick Calculations with Autosum•6 minutes
- Auto-Fill and Flash Fill•11 minutes
- Introduction to Excel Formulas Exercise•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to Excel Formulas - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explain how named ranges can simplify and clarify your Excel formulas. You’ll also gain hands-on experience creating and using named ranges in your own spreadsheets.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 14 minutes
- What Are Named Ranges?•3 minutes
- Create Named Ranges•4 minutes
- Use Named Ranges in Formulas•3 minutes
- Use Named Ranges Exercise•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Use Named Ranges - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will cover various formatting techniques, including applying number formats, customizing cells, and using AutoFormat to style your worksheets quickly and uniformly.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 50 minutes
- Apply Number Formats•12 minutes
- Format Cells, Rows, and Columns Manually•13 minutes
- AutoFormat Data•4 minutes
- Find and Replace Formatting•6 minutes
- Copy Formatting: Format Painter•5 minutes
- Clear Cells•5 minutes
- Format Numbers and Cells Exercise•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Format Numbers and Cells - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will show you how to work with Excel tables, including converting data to tables, using structured references, and practicing with real-world exercises to master table management.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Excel Tables Explained•8 minutes
- Format Data as an Excel Table•10 minutes
- Table References in Formulas•7 minutes
- Excel Tables Exercise•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Excel Tables - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will demonstrate various formatting techniques, including organizing rows and columns, aligning text and numbers, and applying themes to give your worksheets a professional finish.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 37 minutes
- Work with Rows and Columns•9 minutes
- Align Text and Numbers•9 minutes
- Merge Cells vs Center Across Selection•7 minutes
- Apply and Modify Themes•9 minutes
- Format Worksheets Exercise•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Format Worksheets - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will guide you through effective list management in Excel, from sorting and filtering data to adding subtotals and applying custom sorting rules for more flexible analysis.
What's included
8 videos1 assignment
8 videos•Total 43 minutes
- How to Structure a List•7 minutes
- Sort a List: Single-Level Sort•5 minutes
- Sort a List: Multi-Level Sort•6 minutes
- Sort a List: Sort with Custom Lists•4 minutes
- Filter a List - Numbers and Text•8 minutes
- Filter and Sort by Color•4 minutes
- Add Subtotals to a List•6 minutes
- Excel Lists Exercise•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Excel Lists - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you how to efficiently move, link, and copy data across worksheets. You’ll also learn about 3D referencing and how to use hyperlinks to navigate between data sets.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 46 minutes
- Cut, Copy, and Paste•5 minutes
- Paste Options•9 minutes
- Paste From Clipboard•4 minutes
- Move and Copy Worksheets•7 minutes
- 3D Referencing•6 minutes
- Insert Hyperlinks to Worksheets•8 minutes
- Move and Link to Data Exercise•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Move and Link to Data - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce intermediate formulas, including lookup functions, logical tests, and text manipulation techniques to help you manage more complex data analysis tasks.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 47 minutes
- Lookup Functions: VLOOKUP Explained•10 minutes
- Lookup Functions: XLOOKUP Explained•6 minutes
- Logical Functions: IF, AND, OR•10 minutes
- Text Functions: PROPER, TRIM, CLEAN•8 minutes
- Time and Date Functions: TODAY, NOW, WORKDAY•7 minutes
- Introduction to Intermediate Formulas Exercise•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Introduction to Intermediate Formulas - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will explore data analysis techniques, including using the Quick Analysis tool, selecting charts, and creating in-cell charts to quickly highlight trends and insights in your data.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 47 minutes
- Quick Analysis Button•7 minutes
- Choose the Right Chart Type•7 minutes
- Present Data with Charts•6 minutes
- Format a Chart•11 minutes
- In-Cell Charts: Sparklines•6 minutes
- In-Cell Charts: The REPT Function•5 minutes
- Analyze Data Exercise•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Analyze Data - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will show you how to apply conditional formatting in Excel, including using data bars, color scales, and icon sets to visually highlight key data points and trends.
What's included
5 videos1 assignment
5 videos•Total 28 minutes
- Highlight Cell Values•7 minutes
- Data Bars•7 minutes
- Color Scales•4 minutes
- Icon Sets•5 minutes
- Conditional Formatting Exercise•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Conditional Formatting - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will teach you how to insert and format images, icons, and diagrams to make your spreadsheets more engaging. You’ll also learn to collaborate with threaded comments for better teamwork.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 42 minutes
- Add Interest with Pictures and Icons•10 minutes
- Insert Shapes and Text Boxes•10 minutes
- Create Diagrams Using SmartArt•8 minutes
- Insert Screenshots and Clips•4 minutes
- Insert and Respond to Threaded Comments•6 minutes
- Insert Pictures and Other Graphics Exercise•5 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Insert Pictures and Other Graphics - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will cover workbook view management techniques, including adjusting zoom levels, arranging multiple worksheets, and freezing panes for easier data navigation.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 19 minutes
- Workbook Views and Zoom•8 minutes
- Arrange Workbooks and Worksheets•6 minutes
- Freeze Panes•4 minutes
- Work with Views Exercise•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Work with Views - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will guide you through the steps to prepare your worksheets for printing, from adjusting margins and orientation to inserting headers, footers, and page breaks for professional presentation.
What's included
7 videos1 assignment
7 videos•Total 33 minutes
- Set Margins and Orientation•4 minutes
- Set and Clear the Print Area•3 minutes
- Insert Page Breaks•4 minutes
- Set Print Titles and a Background•5 minutes
- Insert Headers and Footers•7 minutes
- Print a Workbook•7 minutes
- Prepare for Printing Exercise•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Prepare for Printing - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will show you how to finalize your workbook by protecting data, inspecting for errors, and saving it in various formats for easier sharing and compatibility.
What's included
4 videos1 assignment
4 videos•Total 22 minutes
- Protect Cells, Worksheets, and Workbooks•7 minutes
- Inspect the Workbook for Issues•8 minutes
- Save the Workbook in Different Formats•4 minutes
- Finalizing the Spreadsheet Exercise•3 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Finalizing the Spreadsheet - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will introduce you to Excel 365 Online, where you’ll learn how to collaborate in real-time, share workbooks, and integrate your Excel files with Microsoft Teams for efficient teamwork.
What's included
6 videos1 assignment
6 videos•Total 27 minutes
- Work with Files in Excel Online•6 minutes
- Share Workbooks with Others•6 minutes
- Co-Author Workbooks in Real-Time•5 minutes
- Add an Excel Workbook to Microsoft Teams•3 minutes
- Excel Live: Share a Workbook in a Teams Meeting•3 minutes
- Excel 365 Online Exercise•4 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
- Excel 365 Online - Assessment•15 minutes
In this module, we will wrap up the beginner course by reviewing key takeaways and guiding you on your next steps to continue mastering Excel skills for personal or professional use.
What's included
1 video1 reading3 assignments
1 video•Total 7 minutes
- Microsoft Excel 365 Beginner Conclusion•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Conclusion to the Course 'Excel 365 Fundamentals: Getting Started & Core Skills'•10 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
- Full Course Practice Assessment•15 minutes
- Microsoft Excel 365 Beginner – Conclusion - Assessment•15 minutes
- Full Course Assessment•60 minutes
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Frequently asked questions
Excel 365 Fundamentals is a beginner-level course designed to introduce users to the core features and functions of Microsoft Excel 365. It’s highly relevant because Excel is one of the most widely used tools in both personal and professional settings. Gaining proficiency in Excel can enhance your ability to analyze, organize, and present data effectively, which is essential for tasks ranging from basic record-keeping to complex data analysis.
This course covers the essential skills needed to get started with Excel 365. It includes topics like navigating the Excel interface, creating and formatting spreadsheets, working with basic formulas, and analyzing data with charts and tables. You'll also learn how to collaborate using Excel Online and apply essential functions like VLOOKUP, conditional formatting, and data analysis tools. The course is ideal for individuals looking to build a strong foundation in Excel.
After completing the course, you’ll be able to efficiently navigate Excel 365, create and format spreadsheets, use basic and intermediate formulas, and visualize data with charts. You will also understand how to collaborate on workbooks, apply formatting tools, and manage your data using Excel tables and lists. Whether for personal projects or professional tasks, you will have the skills to use Excel effectively for a variety of data management needs.
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