Master Excel for Business: Is This Coursera Specialization Worth It?
If you’re looking to boost your career with practical business skills, you’ve probably realized just how important Excel is on a modern resume. But finding the right online Excel course—one that’s in-depth, up-to-date, and employer-recognized—isn’t easy.
That’s why today, we’re diving deep into one of the most comprehensive Microsoft Excel specializations available: Excel Skills for Business by Macquarie University on Coursera. In this review, we’ll cover everything from what you’ll learn to whether it’s worth the monthly fee—and most importantly, whether it makes a real difference in your job prospects.
Image source: Coursera.org
Why Learn Excel for Business?
Everyone knows Excel, but few really master it. Hiring managers often cite Excel as one of the most valuable and underdeveloped skills in the workplace. According to a report from Burning Glass Technologies, over 80% of mid-level business jobs require Excel proficiency, yet most new hires lack advanced Excel skills.
That’s what makes a structured course like Excel Skills for Business so valuable.
Whether you’re handling financial data, sales forecasts, or project planning, having deep Excel knowledge can set you apart—and even pave the way for promotions or new roles.
What Is “Excel Skills for Business” on Coursera?
Offered by Macquarie University and taught by Associate Professor Prashan S. M. Karunaratne, this is a four-part specialization designed to help business professionals build job-ready Excel skills—from scratch.
This isn’t just another “Excel for beginners” tutorial. It’s a curated path that goes from the fundamentals straight through to advanced topics like dashboard creation and complex data modeling.
✅ Courses Included:
- Excel Skills for Business: Essentials
- Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate I
- Excel Skills for Business: Intermediate II
- Excel Skills for Business: Advanced
Each module includes structured lessons, digital practices, and downloadable Excel workbooks based on real-world business scenarios.
💡 Who Should Take This Course?
The course is best for:
- Business professionals looking to upskill
- Job seekers aiming to add valuable credentials
- Data analysts or project managers needing more advanced Excel techniques
- Students or recent grads entering business fields
No prior experience is needed to start. The course is designed to build progressively.
What You’ll Learn (Course Breakdown)
Excel Skills for Business taps into real workplace use cases rather than abstract theory.
Here’s a breakdown of each level:
| Level | Key Skills |
|---|---|
| Essentials | Interface, formatting, basic formulas, basic charts |
| Intermediate I | VLOOKUP, IF statements, filters, multiple sheets |
| Intermediate II | Data validation, conditional formatting, automation |
| Advanced | PivotTables, dashboards, macros, data modeling |
This isn’t a one-and-done overview—you genuinely build Excel mastery one course at a time.
Real Reviews from Students
“I completed the Excel Skills for Business specialization and found it incredibly helpful. The instructors explain concepts clearly, and the hands-on exercises really reinforced my learning.” — u/ExcelLearner2023 on Reddit
One review from the Coursera platform reads:
“This specialization has been a game-changer for my career. I’ve applied what I learned to streamline processes at work, and it’s already led to a promotion.” — Sarah T.
Of course, not every review is glowing:
“Some of the assessments felt overly specific and a bit frustrating, but it didn’t take away from the overall value.” — u/DataAnalystPro
Overall, the consensus is clear: if you’re willing to put in the time, the outcomes are well worth it.
Is It Better Than Other Excel Courses?
There are plenty of Excel courses online. How does this one compare?
| Platform | Course Title | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Coursera | Excel Skills for Business | Deep, structured, university-certified |
| Udemy | Excel from Beginner to Advanced | Cheaper, flexible, variable quality |
| LinkedIn Learning | Excel Essential Training | Quick hit, less comprehensive |
| edX | Data Analysis in Excel | More niche, for data-specific roles |
Coursera’s specialization stands out for being academic-backed, hands-on, and directly applicable to everyday business operations. It’s not the cheapest, but it arguably offers the most complete Excel learning experience—especially for business professionals.
Potential Downsides
We don’t recommend this course if:
- You’re looking for a quick, weekend crash course
- You don’t want to pay for a subscription (Coursera Plus is $59/month)
- You’re already highly advanced in Excel looking for specialized features (like Power BI)
Some learners reported struggles with the quizzes, and limited direct interaction with instructors. That said, Coursera’s peer forums offer community support, and the structured curriculum generally flows well.
How Long Does It Take?
Time commitment is where you’ll make the real investment. Coursera estimates around 106 hours to complete the full specialization. That’s about 2–3 months if you stick to steady weekly learning.
If you binge through the content in a month, the entire course could cost just $59. Stretch it out, and it becomes pricier.
However, considering Excel mastery could help land you a better job, raise, or new freelance opportunity, the value could be 10x or more than the upfront fee.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you’re serious about earning job-ready Excel skills, this specialization is absolutely worth considering. It delivers:
- Deep, progressive learning from beginner to advanced levels
- Real-world projects and tools you’ll actually use on the job
- A university-issued certificate from Macquarie University
- Access to the full Coursera ecosystem with a Plus subscription
It’s not perfect—some learners mentioned minor platform issues and quiz frustration. But the quality of instruction, downloadable worksheets, and business use-case focus make it one of the strongest Excel certifications online.
👍 Best for: Professionals ready to commit time to level-up their Excel game.
👎 Skip if: You want a quick shortcut or ultra-budget Excel course.
Want to give your resume a serious edge?
One Last Thing…
A recent analysis by CourseReport highlights how spreadsheet skills continue to dominate job listings in business, operations, and admin-focused roles. If you’re on the fence, just remember this: the skills you build in Excel don’t stay in the spreadsheet—they show up in the boardroom, in your paychecks, and in your job security.
Ready when you are.
📚 Source: Course research from Coursera & long-tail SEO keyword insights from “Excel Skills for Business: A Comprehensive Review.”
Image credit: Coursera.org
Let us know in the comments—what’s your biggest struggle with Excel?