Excel Essential Skills
Overview
This course is designed to provide the fundamental concepts of Microsoft Excel, a tool for generating spreadsheets. In this course you’ll learn by doing and get a good overview of what Excel is capable of and how to use it more effectively by creating a simple Excel report that demonstrates how to use Excel without breaking anything. We’ll also throw in lots of keyboard shortcuts and time saving tips that will help you work smarter, not harder.
Who should attend
Anyone who wants to gain more confidence in using Excel. Maybe you’ve just started using it in your new role or perhaps you’ve been using it for years but aren’t sure if you’re doing things the ‘right’ way. This course will give you the foundational skills and confidence you need to start using Excel effectively.
Prerequisites
We recommend that attendees are familiar with Microsoft Windows, including opening and saving files.
What you'll learn
By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of Excel and will be able to complete your daily spreadsheet tasks with confidence and ease.
Course content
Excel Window & Office Backstage: Learn the Microsoft lingo for Excel so that you can understand what Excel gurus and how-to articles are talking about when you need help. Learn how to save your files into the cloud with OneDrive.
Navigating Around the Workbook: Learn some keyboard shortcuts to quickly get you to where you need to go in your Excel file.
Using Find and Replace: Don’t waste time looking for something when Excel can do the work for you.
Entering and Editing Data: Learn a few tricks to save you time with data entry.
Working with Worksheets: You might call them ‘tabs’. Change the name, colour and even location of these key structural Excel components.
Selecting Ranges: Look like an Excel whiz and select exactly what you need quickly and error free.
Using Formulae: Learn the key rules for success when using Excel to do basic calculations.
Using Functions: Calculate totals and averages using built in Excel functions.
Inserting & Deleting Rows & Columns: Future proof your Excel worksheet and make sure that adding and deleting data does what it’s meant to do.
Cut, Copy and Paste: Copy and paste data without breaking the spreadsheet
Using Drag and Drop, Fill and AutoFill: We’ll show you a few things about how Excel thinks that will dramatically reduce the time you spend copying and pasting data.
Using Absolute References: Refer to other cells in calculations and formulae, and learn what $A$1 means. Hint: It has nothing to do with money.
Sorting and Filtering Lists: Sort and filter data to find exactly what you need. Discover ways to analyse your data using filters.
Excel Tables: Learn how to change a regular range into an Excel Table, and discover a whole new set of features and shortcuts.
Changing the Worksheet Appearance: Change cell borders, colours and apply number formatting (such as $19.95 instead of 19.950000 or 19) to make your report easier to read.
Using Charts: Insert charts that make it easy to spot trends in your data.
Page Layout View and Printing: Share your report without fighting with the printer
Common questions
When does Excel Essential Skills next run?
The next date is Thu, 3 Sept 2026, and there are 35 further dates scheduled. Delivered ACE Training Auckland, ACE Training Christchurch, ACE Training Wellington, ACE Training Hamilton. Every date and its format is listed on this page.
How much does Excel Essential Skills cost?
From $450 + GST per person. Pricing can differ by date and location, so check the option you want before booking.
Do I need any prior experience?
We recommend that attendees are familiar with Microsoft Windows, including opening and saving files .
Can I attend online, or does it have to be in a classroom?
Both. Some dates run live online and others in-class — each date on this page shows its format, so pick whichever suits.
Can you run this course for my team?
Yes. Any ACE course can be delivered in-house at your workplace and tailored to your team's tools and goals — quote course code Excel-Essential-Skills when you enquire.