Excel. Known by all. Hated by many. Understood by few. Nowadays we talk about digitalization. You can hear about "big data", "cloud computing", "AI", "machine learning", "robotic process automation". If you are like me, you have already used SQL Servers and you know how to do an SQL Query, either through MS Access or by building Macros in Excel you also got in touch with VBA (Visual Basic). Maybe you even learned some other programming languages. If you are in Accounting and Finance (but not only) you might have used basic accounting software or sophisticated ERPs such as Oracle, Navision or SAP. You can even have exposure to specialized tools like Hyperion, Cognos and many others.

But when it comes to keeping things simple, down to earth, because of it's native flexibility and versatility you always come back to Excel. Especially if you need to get creative. New templates, reports, formats and forms, building out of the box numeric tools (like pricing tools), there is no faster and easier solution than using the "old" Microsoft Excel.

You might wonder where your level is. I have a simple quiz for you (answers below so don't cheat). If you get the answers right to this quiz based on the introductory course please skip to the Advanced course. The 101 course might be too easy for you.

Question 1. I have just named a cell in my Excel file. I can call the cell through this name but also through it's reference:

a. True

b. False

Question 2. What is the difference between naming a cell $A$1 and A1?

a. absolutely no difference

b. $A$1 is a fixed reference (cell)

c. A1 is a fixed reference (cell)

Question 3. The function left(text, num_chars):

a. returns the number of characters in a text

b. subtracts a number of characters (indicated by "num_chars") from the right side of a text ("text")

c. subtracts a number of characters (indicated by "num_chars") from the left side of a text ("text")

Question 4. The "Goal seek" option can be found under:

a. Formulas / Function library

b. Data / What-if-Analysis

c. Formulas / Calculations

Question 5. You can write a formula in cell C1 adding cells A1 and B1:

a. Writing from your keyboard "=A1+B1" in cell C1

b. Writing from your keyboard "=" then left clicking (mouse) A1, writing "+" and then left clicking (mouse) B1

c. both a. and b.

Answers (1a2b3c4b5c)

With four-five correct answers you can move to the advanced Excel course.