WEEKLY BREAKDOWN SYLLABUS: MASTERING MICROSOFT EXCEL
WEEK 1: Excel Basics & Interface
Goal: Get comfortable with Excel's layout and basic operations.
• Topics:
o Excel interface, ribbons, workbooks, worksheets
o Basic formatting (cell, font, number)
o Data entry and navigation
o Basic arithmetic formulas (+, -, *, /)
• Practice:
o Create a personal budget sheet
• Resources:
o Excel for Beginners – Excel Exposure
o YouTube: ExcelIsFun, Leila Gharani
WEEK 2: Formatting & Managing Worksheets
Goal: Learn to structure and manage your workbook effectively.
• Topics:
o Cell formatting (date, currency, percentages)
o Conditional formatting
o Freezing panes, hiding/unhiding
o Worksheets: insert, delete, rename, move
• Practice:
o Create a monthly calendar or inventory tracker
• Resources:
o Microsoft Support Docs
o YouTube: Excel Campus
WEEK 3: Formulas & Functions I
Goal: Start using Excel’s built-in functions.
• Topics:
o Basic functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT, COUNTA
o Relative vs. absolute references
o AutoFill and Flash Fill
• Practice:
o Build a sales summary dashboard
• Resources:
o ExcelJet
o Udemy Free Intro Courses
WEEK 4: Formulas & Functions II (Intermediate)
Goal: Build logic and decision-making into your sheets.
• Topics:
o IF, AND, OR, NOT
o Nested functions
o Error handling: IFERROR
• Practice:
o Create a student grading system with pass/fail logic
• Resources:
o Excel Jet Logical Functions Guide
WEEK 5: Charts and Data Visualization
Goal: Represent data visually and make it interactive.
• Topics:
o Column, bar, line, pie, combo charts
o Customizing chart elements
o Sparklines
• Practice:
o Visualize sales or survey data
• Resources:
o YouTube: MyOnlineTrainingHub (Chart Tips)
WEEK 6: Data Cleaning & Validation
Goal: Prepare raw data for analysis.
• Topics:
o Data Validation (drop-downs)
o Remove duplicates
o Text functions: LEFT, RIGHT, MID, LEN, TRIM, CLEAN, TEXT
o Find & Replace, Flash Fill
• Practice:
o Clean a messy customer list
• Resources:
o Excel Jet Text Functions
o Chandoo.org Blog
WEEK 7: Tables & Named Ranges
Goal: Structure data for scalability and clarity.
• Topics:
o Excel Tables (Insert Table, Table Styles)
o Total Row, Table References
o Named Ranges
• Practice:
o Build an inventory management system
• Resources:
o Excel Campus: Tables & Structured References
WEEK 8: Lookup & Reference Functions
Goal: Master data retrieval techniques.
• Topics:
o VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP
o INDEX + MATCH (recommended over VLOOKUP)
o XLOOKUP (Excel 365/2021+)
• Practice:
o Create a product lookup tool
• Resources:
o YouTube: Leila Gharani on XLOOKUP
WEEK 9: Pivot Tables & Pivot Charts
Goal: Summarize and analyze large datasets.
• Topics:
o Creating Pivot Tables
o Pivot Chart basics
o Grouping, filtering, slicers
• Practice:
o Analyze sales by region, product, month
• Resources:
o MyExcelOnline’s Pivot Table Crash Course
WEEK 10: Advanced Functions & Formula Auditing
Goal: Boost speed and power with advanced techniques.
• Topics:
o SUMIFS, COUNTIFS, FILTER, UNIQUE (365+)
o Formula auditing, tracing precedents/dependents
o Array formulas (legacy and dynamic arrays)
• Practice:
o Build a dynamic report with criteria filters
• Resources:
o ExcelJet Advanced Formulas
WEEK 11: Dashboard Design & Interactivity
Goal: Build professional-level dashboards.
• Topics:
o Dashboard layout principles
o Using Form Controls (sliders, drop-downs)
o Combining Pivot Tables, charts, slicers
• Practice:
o Create a KPI dashboard for a business unit
• Resources:
o YouTube: Excel Dashboard School
o Chandoo Dashboard Tutorials
WEEK 12: Macros & Intro to VBA
Goal: Automate repetitive tasks.
• Topics:
o Record macros
o Intro to VBA editor
o Basic VBA scripts (copy, paste, loop)
• Practice:
o Automate monthly report generation
• Resources:
o Excel Campus: VBA Starter Kit
o AutomateExcel.com
Bonus Tips:
• Use Excel Practice Files from websites like Contextures or ExcelPracticeOnline.
• Supplement learning with platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or YouTube.
• After Week 12, practice by:
o Doing real-world projects
o Participating in Excel challenges (e.g., Excel Hash, Makeover Monday)
ALALADE VICTOR AYODEJI
