Maybe it’s because those who have been using Excel for a long time feel that they are more advanced than the basics. This is a problem, as humans we feel the need to be categorised, label, always wanting to fit in somewhere feel accepted be part of a group.
I disagree with being forced to feel that I must fit in a specific model otherwise you are weird, quirky.
Quirky is good, individual and I think this is the way the school and other institutes need to start thinking rather than put everyone into one box because that makes life easier for the rest of us to know what to do with these people and how to educate them in whatever subject.
We all learn through different styles. Some are visual that's me. Others are amazing I feel at listening to several steps and making the connections and pictures in their heads to understand. Then there are those that are tactile who need to see and do. The best way to learn something new is by trying it for yourself – Doing repeatedly.
Let’s put categorising aside, to be able to teach by looking at the problem differently we should ask the questions:
- What is the task you need done?
- What don't you understand?
- Show me how you think you would tackle this task - have a wild guess
Discussions around walk me through the process of this Excel Spreadsheet, looking at existing formulas and functions to see where the data is being pulled from, checking are the existing functions correct. At times by pure luck you are getting the right answer but change one character or piece of data and that function is going to fall over.
There are over 300 functions that Microsoft Excel is capable of, picking the right one can be daunting. You could click on Excel Function Wizard type a few key words of what you are trying to do. For example, type “Remove Spaces”. Excel will return TRIM. Maybe you are trying to find information from a master list. You have been given a Product Code/Student ID/Invoice Number and you want to see if it is existing in a master list. If it does you need it displayed on a different sheet.
Lookup Data in Excel
There are several LOOKUP functions in Excel however the most popular by far is the VLOOKUP. Most people find it easier than the INDEX function combined with the MATCH Function. Even though the INDEX and MATCH function nested together is much more powerful.
What’s In An Intermediate Level of Excel?
The focus for an Excel Intermediate level courses is functions. Logical functions like IF. The IF function come with a family. IFERROR, IFNA, IFS. Nesting functions is popular at this level of Excel and the IF function can be nested with functions that might make no sense if they acted alone like the AND, OR and NOT functions.
The VLOOKUP as mentioned before is the most popular and can be covered at either Level Intermediate or Advanced it will depend on the Training facility you choose.
Who should do and Excel course?
The list is long these are just a few and not limited to Educators, Accountants, Project Managers, Office Administrators, Logistics Officers, Project Assistants.
Conclusion
Excel Intermediate Level courses are most popular because this is what you can't pick up on your own as this level covers formulas and functions. They are harder to Google and YouTube for, I mean you can Google but knowing which out of the 300 or so functions that Excel is capable of which one do I need and when.
My take on Intermediate Excel is, what do you need to know to get your specific job done. What is it that you don't understand about your spreadsheet and those are the topics you should focus on irrespective of the label Introduction or Advanced.
AZ Solutions Pty Ltd also provided face to face Microsoft Office Computer Training Courses in Sydney – Sutherland Shire – Western Sydney – Eastern Creek – Curans Hills.
Book a professional facilitator with over 24 years’ experience in their field.
www.azsolutions.com.au