Why Excel Is Still Relevant in 2024
Despite the rise of data platforms like Tableau, Google Sheets, and Notion, Excel remains an unmatched tool in business environments. Whether you’re analyzing marketing data, preparing budgets, or managing client contacts, Excel’s flexibility and power are second to none.
And yet… most of us only ever scratch the surface.
According to a 2022 report by NewVantage Partners, over 70% of professionals say they use Excel weekly but feel unprepared for advanced business tasks. Enter: Excel Skills for Business: Essentials.
What Is ‘Excel Skills for Business: Essentials’?
- ➡️ A beginner-level Excel course created by Macquarie University
- ➡️ Available through Coursera, one of the most trusted online platforms
- ➡️ Designed for total newcomers or people with limited spreadsheet experience
- ➡️ Teaches skills directly applicable to business scenarios
This course is part of a full Specialization, but it’s also structured to stand alone. So even if you don’t continue with the other modules, you’ll walk away with solid, real-world Excel abilities.
What You’ll Learn
The course follows a clear learning path, starting with absolute basics:
- How to navigate the Excel interface
- Performing calculations using SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and proper cell references
- Formatting spreadsheets to make data clearer and more professional
- Working with data: sorting, filtering, and basic conditional formatting
- Creating simple visualizations like line and column charts
- Printing and preparing spreadsheets for reports or presentations
You’ll also complete interactive quizzes and real business assignments—so you’re not just learning for the test; you’re learning for your next salary negotiation.
Who Is This Course For?
This Excel course is perfect if:
- You’ve never used Excel before
- You’ve used Excel but only through trial and error
- You run your own business and need reliable spreadsheet skills
- You’re a student or recent graduate entering the job market
- You work in HR, finance, operations, marketing, or sales and want to upskill
Think of it as a complete “reset” on Excel—the right way to learn, with guided instruction instead of guesswork or watching random YouTube clips.
Why Learners Rave About This Course
Thousands of Coursera users have rated this course 4.9/5—with over 88% giving it a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Here’s a sample of what real students are saying:
“Absolutely love this course, it’s well structured, informative, detailed, crystal clear, easy to follow along, and so much fun.” — YouTube user and verified student
“Even after using Excel at work for years, I realized how much I didn’t know. Highly recommend it to anyone starting or wanting to refresh.” — Coursera review
These reviews highlight two key strengths: the course’s clarity and its relevance to work.
Pros & Cons of Excel Skills for Business: Essentials
Let’s be real—no course is perfect. Here’s a balanced look:
What We Love
- Extremely beginner-friendly, no prior Excel experience required
- Structured lessons flow logically and build confidence
- Real-world business examples—not just academic theory
- Quizzes and assignments help apply what you learn
- You can audit the course for free (pay only for certification)
Some Downsides
- May feel slow for users already familiar with Excel
- Assignments can lack enough context for total beginners
- Doesn’t cover advanced Excel features like pivot tables or macros
- Certification has a cost unless financial aid is approved
But if your goal is to build a solid, usable Excel foundation? This course delivers.
A Word on Certification (Is it Worth it?)
The course is free to audit—but if you want the official certificate (which looks great on resumes and LinkedIn), you’ll need to pay a modest fee, often around $49 to $99. You may also qualify for financial aid through Coursera if you’re unable to afford it.
Whether you’re job hunting or trying to climb the ladder at your current job, having a Coursera certificate from a university like Macquarie can set you apart.
✅ Tip: Completing this course makes you eligible for more advanced follow-ups in the Excel Skills for Business Specialization series on Coursera.
How It Compares to Other Excel Courses (Quick Take)
Other popular Excel courses include:
- Microsoft Excel Essential Training from LinkedIn Learning—great for quick tutorials but more technical
- Excel from Beginner to Advanced on Udemy—larger course but with inconsistent teaching style
- GoSkills Excel Course—ideal for micro-lessons, but lacks business context
Excel Skills for Business: Essentials stands out by combining the structure of an academic program with practical, interactive learning.
According to LearnDataSci, “Coursera’s Excel Skills for Business specialization is one of the most comprehensive and job-focused beginner tracks available online.”
Source: LearnDataSci’s Best Excel Courses, 2023
Bottom Line: Should You Take This Course?
If you’re serious about learning Excel not just as a tool, but as a business asset—it’s hard to find a better course than Excel Skills for Business: Essentials.
Whether you’re 19 or 59, employed or job hunting, this course gives you:
- ✔ Clear direction without being overwhelming
- ✔ Immediate use cases in budgeting, analysis, and reporting
- ✔ A strong professional credential from Macquarie University
And the best part? You can start for free. Try it out and see the difference structured, high-quality instruction can make. By the time you finish, you won’t just understand Excel—you’ll be using it to drive better business decisions.
Ready to Get Started?
Don’t wait another year to “get around” to learning Excel.
Start now by enrolling in Excel Skills for Business: Essentials on Coursera. It could be the most career-rewarding skill you build this year.
🔎 Bonus: What to Take Next
Once you finish the Essentials course, consider the full Excel Skills for Business Specialization. It includes intermediate and advanced modules covering:
- PivotTables & PivotCharts
- Data validation
- Advanced functions
- Macros and Excel automation
But none of that will click without the strong foundation you’ll get from this first step—which is exactly what this Essentials course is all about.
📷 Course Preview Image
Let this be the year you finally get fluent in the language of business data. Excel might just be the skill that opens new doors in your career—and Excel Skills for Business: Essentials is your smartest first step.