How to Earn a Microsoft Excel Certification in 2024: Top Tips and Resources

Why Get Certified in Microsoft Excel?

If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you’re trying to decide whether getting certified in Excel is worth it. As well as the commitment of taking a certification, there are also the cost, time, and relative benefits to consider. Thankfully, there are plenty of upsides to getting an Excel certification:

Demonstrates proficiency

A Microsoft Excel certification isn't just a credential; it's a concrete demonstration of your ability to proficiently use one of the most essential tools in data analysis. This certification is a clear indicator to employers of your skills in navigating complex Excel functionalities, setting you apart in the job market.

Enhances employability

In an increasingly competitive job landscape, Excel proficiency is often a baseline requirement. Being certified elevates your resume, showcasing your commitment to professional development and your capability to handle data-centric roles effectively.

Expands career opportunities

Excel's widespread application across sectors like finance, marketing, and operations means that certification opens doors to a variety of career paths. As a certified Excel professional, you can explore roles that specifically require advanced Excel knowledge, such as data analyst, business intelligence specialist, or financial analyst.

Increases productivity and efficiency

Through certification, you gain in-depth knowledge of Excel's advanced features. This expertise allows you to streamline workflows, automate calculations, and enhance data analysis, leading to increased productivity in your professional role.

Boosts confidence

Achieving Excel certification confirms your ability to tackle complex tasks with the software. This assurance is invaluable, especially when faced with challenging data-related problems, ensuring you can approach them with confidence.

Facilitates data-driven decision-making

Excel certification equips you with the skills to analyze data effectively, create insightful visualizations, and generate accurate reports. These abilities are crucial in today’s data-driven business environment, where informed decision-making is key to success.

Some of the fundamental Excel formulas you’ll need to get certified

How Long Does it Take to Get Certified in Excel?

According to the official Microsoft Certification pages, you’ll need around 150 hours of hands-on experience and instruction, as well as relevant industry experience. You can gain such hands-on practice with our Excel Fundamentals Track.

Excel Certification Eligibility and Requirements

Pursuing a Microsoft Excel Certification means choosing the right level and version that aligns with your skills and goals. Microsoft offers two primary levels of certification in Excel - the Excel Associate and the Excel Expert. Each of these levels is available for different versions of Microsoft Office, including 2016, 2019, and 365, catering to the evolving landscape of Excel functionalities.

Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate

For the Excel Associate level certification, you’ll ideally have around 150 hours of instruction and hands-on experience with Excel, as well as proven proficiency at an associate level in a relevant role.

• Overview: The Excel Associate certification is geared towards individuals seeking to demonstrate fundamental skills in Excel. It covers essential features like creating and managing worksheets, applying formulas, and creating charts.
• Versions available: This certification is offered for Microsoft Office 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 Apps. Each version focuses on the specific functionalities and tools available in that iteration of Excel. The 2013 version is now discontinued.
• Skills measured: Managing worksheets and workbooks, performing operations with formulas and functions, creating charts and tables, etc.
• Cost: $100

Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert

If you want to take an Expert level certification in Excel, Microsoft recommends you have 150 hours of experience at an industry expert level.

• Overview: The Excel Expert certification is designed for advanced users who wish to demonstrate a higher level of proficiency in Excel. This certification involves complex tasks like managing advanced formulas, macros, and data analysis.
• Versions available: Similar to the Associate level, the Expert certification is available for Microsoft Office 2016, 2019, and 365 Apps, with each focusing on the advanced features specific to that version. The 2013 version is now discontinued.
• Skills measured: Advanced data management, creating complex formulas and macros, managing advanced charts and tables, etc.
• Cost: $100

Understanding the Microsoft Excel Certification Exams

Let’s take a look at the most recent certification exams from Microsoft, the MO-210 (Associate) and MO-211 (Expert) for Microsoft 365, as outlined on Certiport.

Excel Associate (Microsoft 365 Apps) Exam MO-210

This exam assesses a candidate's foundational skills in Excel and their ability to apply these skills in practical scenarios.

Exam focus

• Core areas: Creating and managing worksheets and workbooks, utilizing cells and ranges, tables, formulas and functions, and crafting charts and objects.
• Real-world applications: Test takers need to demonstrate the ability to create diverse workbooks, like budgets and financial statements, and use graphical elements to represent data.

Exam structure

• Objective domains: The exam encompasses several key areas, including worksheet and workbook management, data manipulation, table management, formula and function operations, and chart management.
• Performance-based approach: Candidates are evaluated through practical tasks in a simulated environment, focusing on understanding the purpose and usage of Excel's functionalities.

Preparation tips

• Utilize learning resources: Study guides and practice exams from Microsoft are essential for thorough preparation.
• Gain practical experience: Hands-on practice with Excel is crucial to understanding and applying the software's features effectively.

Excel Expert (Microsoft 365 Apps) Exam MO-211

This exam is designed to evaluate an individual's advanced capabilities in Excel, focusing on creating, managing, and distributing complex spreadsheets for various specialized purposes.

Exam focus

• Core areas: The exam tests the ability to customize Excel environments for specific project needs, thereby enhancing productivity. Key areas include managing workbook options and settings, managing and formatting data, creating advanced formulas and macros, and managing advanced charts and tables.
• Expert-level applications: Candidates are expected to demonstrate expertise in creating sophisticated workbook examples like custom business templates, financial charts, amortization tables, and inventory schedules.

Exam structure

• Objective domains: The exam covers a range of advanced topics, including:
• Managing workbook settings and collaboration features.
• Advanced data manipulation and formatting.
• Creating and troubleshooting complex formulas and macros.
• Developing and managing sophisticated charts and PivotTables.
• Performance-based approach: The exam format involves completing practical tasks in a simulated environment, emphasizing understanding the purpose and common usage of advanced Excel functionalities.

Preparation tips

• Study resources: Utilizing Microsoft's official study guides and practicing with advanced-level Excel projects is crucial for preparation.
• Hands-on experience: Gaining in-depth, practical experience with Excel's expert features is essential for success in the exam.

Step-by-Step Guide to Earning Your Excel Certification

Achieving a Microsoft Excel Certification is a journey that requires dedication, preparation, and a clear understanding of the process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this path successfully.

1. Choose the right certification

Begin by determining your level - whether you're better suited for the Excel Associate or Excel Expert certification. This decision should be based on your current expertise and career goals. Additionally, consider which version of Microsoft Office (2016, 2019, or 365 Apps) you are most familiar with, as each version has its own specific certification exam.

2. Understand the exam requirements

It's important to familiarize yourself with the details of the certification exam you've chosen. This includes understanding the skills that will be measured and the format of the exam. Official Microsoft certification websites offer comprehensive details on exam objectives and prerequisites, which are crucial for effective preparation.

3. Prepare for the exam

Your preparation should involve studying the official Microsoft study guides and other training materials relevant to your chosen exam and version of Excel. Beyond theoretical study, practical experience with Excel is essential. This hands-on practice ensures you are comfortable and proficient in all aspects of the application. You can get hands-on with our Data Analysis in Excel course.

4. Practice with Excel

Engaging with practice exams is an important step in your preparation. These exams provide a sense of the exam structure and question types. Use these practice opportunities to identify and focus on areas where you need additional study or practice to enhance your proficiency.

5. Schedule the exam

Once you feel adequately prepared, schedule your certification exam at an authorized testing center or through an online platform. When choosing a date for your exam, ensure it aligns with your readiness and fits your schedule.

6. Take the exam

On the day of the exam, approach it with confidence, remembering that it is designed to assess practical knowledge similar to the tasks you've practiced. Stay calm and focused, applying your study and practice experience to effectively navigate the exam.

7. Maintain and renew certification

Achieving your Excel certification is a milestone, but the journey doesn't end there. The field of Excel is continuously evolving, and some certifications may require periodic renewal. Staying up-to-date with these requirements is crucial for keeping your certification valid and your skills relevant.

Preparing for Excel Certification with DataCamp

We have a range of courses and resources that can help you master Excel in preparation for a certification. Here are some ideas for where to get started.

For beginners

• Begin your Excel journey with our Introduction to Excel our browse all Excel courses. They are an excellent starting point for those new to professional spreadsheet use.
• The Spreadsheet Fundamentals skill track builds upon your basic skills, preparing you for more complex tasks and insightful business decision-making.
• Learn how to analyze data with pivot tables and intermediate logical functions before moving on to tools such as what-if analysis and forecasting with our Analysis in Excel course.
• Our Excel Formulas Cheat Sheet is a handy reference for some of the essential formulas you’ll need.
• With our tutorial on the essential Excel formulas, you’ll get a close look at how to use Excel.

Our Excel Basics Cheat Sheet can help you gain certification

For advanced users

• Enhance your data analysis skills with advanced functions like VLOOKUP in the Data Analysis in Spreadsheets course.
• Master the art of analyzing and comparing data using Pivot Tables with the Pivot Tables in Spreadsheets course.
• If you’re looking to go deeper in Excel analysis, our Introduction to Statistics in Spreadsheets focuses on averages, distributions, hypothesis testing, and more.
• Discover how to manipulate data in Excel with our Data Manipulation in Excel Cheat Sheet.

Final Thoughts

Enhancing your Excel skills and achieving certification is not just about passing an exam; it's about mastering a tool that can significantly elevate your professional capabilities. Whether you're starting fresh or fine-tuning advanced skills, the path to Excel mastery is a rewarding one, opening doors to new opportunities and insights.

Ready to take the first step? Begin your journey with DataCamp’s Spreadsheet Fundamentals skill track, designed to set you on the path to Excel proficiency. With dedication and the right resources, your certification is within reach, and the skills you acquire will serve you for years to come.