Microsoft® Excel Stage 1 Training Course
Fast track from Absolute Beginner to a Confident, Super Productive user of Excel
Duration: 3.5 hours
Excel Essential Skills - Stage 1
About this course
This introductory course is offered as a 3.5 hour short-course focusing on getting you started in Excel. It covers the skills that are essential to creating professional worksheets.
Is this course suitable for you or your team?
This course is aimed at people who will be creating or updating Excel worksheets in a business environment. This course is definitely for you if:
- You are new to Excel and would like a beginner course
- You currently make minor updates to existing files and would now like to learn how to create worksheets from scratch
- You haven't used Excel for a while and would like a refresher course
Learning outcomes
This hands-on course guides you through the fundamental skills required to be able to create, modify, format and print Excel files. The topics covered set you up perfectly for the next level course, Excel Organising and Analysing Data - Stage 2.
Course pre-requisites
This course is designed for users who are proficient at using the Microsoft® Windows environment, a mouse and keyboard.What you will learn...
Excel can be a little overwhelming and bit intimidating when you first get into the application. In this module you will learn how to start Excel and work with only the areas you need at this stage of your learning journey.
TOPICS COVERED
Introducing Excel
Starting Excel
Excel screen components
The tabs you will need at this level of your learning
Workbooks and worksheets
Entering data is easy when you know how. Trying to work it out yourself can cause all kinds of problems. In this module you will learn the tips and tricks of entering and updating data, and how to avoid data entry frustrations.
TOPICS COVERED
Selecting and moving around the workbook
Entering data into the worksheet
Deleting and replacing data
Using Undo and Redo
Spell Check
Overlapping data
Working with columns
Adjusting the column width
Making changes to the data
Learn how to be the 'boss' of your files. Master the many ways you can save your work, close and open files, delete and rename them AND how to avoid many 'gotcha' situations that can have your heart racing if you're unaware of them!
TOPICS COVERED
Saving your file for the first time
Using Save As to make a copy of an existing file
Closing a file
Starting a new workbook (file)
Opening an existing workbook
Current or active workbook
Using AutoSave
Understanding how to create calculations and read other people's calculations is a fundamental and essential skill to have if you want to be a proficient user of Excel. Learn how to confidently create calculations that are free from error.
TOPICS COVERED
Different data types
Creating calculations
Checking cell content using the Formula bar
Creating a formula - step-by-step
Calculating percentages
Calculating GST
Copying formula
Using the SUM function
You have a worksheet full of data and now you want to make modifications to it. Learn how to change the layout of the worksheet, copy calculations, move and copy data between worksheets. This module is NOT TO BE MISSED as it contains so many 'gotcha' and 'ah-ha' moments.
TOPICS COVERED
Inserting, deleting and hiding rows or columns
Search the workbook using Find
Copying calculations
Creating an absolute reference
Moving and copying information
Moving and copying using the mouse pointer
Copying an entire worksheet
Deleting a worksheet from a workbook
Your data can look very 'black & white', very plain and somewhat boring without formatting. Learn how to make your data pop! Add some pizzazz to your report AND learn why understanding number formatting is essential. You'll also learn what to look out for when working with already formatted cells.
TOPICS COVERED
Understanding Number formats
Avoid Number format 'gotchas'
Font and Alignment formatting
Merged & Center options
Removing formatting from a cell
OK... so you have your data laid out beautifully, your calculations are all 'on-point'. Your formatting is outstanding... so how come you can't print it? Learn all of the 'gotcha's' of printing and how to avoid them so that you can print your masterpiece with ease!
TOPICS COVERED
Previewing your work before printing
Setting up the worksheet for printing
Inserting a page break
Selecting what will print
Adjusting preset print settings
Additional print settings
What you will get...
A copy of our super popular step-by-step workbook along with file downloads for every exercise we cover together. Perfect to follow along with during the training, and to refer to after the training.
Capped class size to ensure you have the hands-on time required and your questions answered.
Need proof of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD)? On completion of the workshop, by request, we will send you a “Certificate of Attendance” confirming your participation and the duration of the training session.
For onsite workshops only
Please note: we are currently running onsite workshops in the Auckland region only.
The exercise files used during the onsite session will be emailed to our onsite contact prior to the session. Each participant receives a printed copy of the workbook for this course.
Need training laptops? Not a problem. For a small fee we can supply laptops for you to use. We have 6 to share. All are thoroughly sanitised before and after use.
For online sessions only
We use the latest version of Zoom or Microsoft Teams to deliver this course live online. If you would like to follow along with your trainer please ensure you have the desktop version of Microsoft Excel available. Having a webcam and headphones available ensures you can enjoy interacting with your trainer and fellow participants. Please ensure your browser software is up to date too. For the best experience we would recommend using Microsoft Chromium Edge or Google Chrome as your browser.
Details on how to connect to the session, along with your workbook and exercise files will be emailed to you prior to your session. Having a printed copy of the workbook handy during your learning will be extremely beneficial to your learning.
Any questions, please contact us at ask@excelatwork.co.nz.

Onsite training for your team
Need a quote for an onsite workshop for your team?
Please contact us today.
This training is for the Windows version of Excel and may not be suitable for Mac users
Keen to do all 3 Stages of Excel?
Talk to us about booking an
'Excel Combo' and save!
"Excellent all round"
Just excellent, all round
Tim Joyce
NZ Branch Manager
"Awesome teacher"
I knew the basics of Excel but learnt a lot more. Well worth doing. Workbook is great. Glad we can keep this to go back to.
Trudy Piercy
Administration Manager
"I feel great"
You explained the course very well and made it very interesting. Totally enjoyed it. I feel great!
Vasant Vale
Warehouse Manager