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Free Excel roadmap · 9 steps

How to learn Excel: a step-by-step roadmap

The order I recommend, after 25 years of teaching Excel. Each step lists what to learn, three free tutorials to start with, and the course that goes deeper.

Check your level first →Find your course in 30 seconds

Step 1: Get comfortable with the basics

Move around quickly, format cleanly and stop doing things the slow way.

What to learn

  • The ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar and the keyboard shortcuts you will use daily
  • Number formats, Format Painter and conditional formatting basics
  • Freezing panes, custom views and keeping big sheets readable

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Tips & Shortcuts →Beginner · 138 lessons

Step 2: Learn the essential formulas

Formulas are where Excel starts doing the work for you.

What to learn

  • Relative and absolute references ($A$1) and why they matter
  • IF, COUNTIF, SUMIFS and the other everyday functions
  • Lookups with VLOOKUP, INDEX and MATCH, plus text and date functions

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Dashboard & Data Analysis Masterclass →Its function toolbox covers VLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS and more

Step 3: Keep your data clean

Good analysis starts with clean, consistent data.

What to learn

  • Excel Tables, sorting and filtering
  • Drop-down lists and data validation to stop bad entries
  • Flash Fill, filling blanks and importing CSV files

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Tips & Shortcuts →Its data entry section covers Flash Fill, drop-downs and the data entry form

Step 4: Analyze data with PivotTables

Summarize thousands of rows in seconds, without a single formula.

What to learn

  • Building PivotTables and PivotCharts
  • Grouping, Show Values As, and calculated fields
  • Slicers and timelines for one-click filtering

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Dashboard & Data Analysis Masterclass →PivotTables, slicers and GETPIVOTDATA, in real builds

Step 5: Build charts people understand

Pick the right chart, then make it clear.

What to learn

  • Choosing the right chart for the message
  • Combo, waterfall, Pareto and progress charts
  • Dynamic charts that update with your data

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Charts, Infographics & Data Visualisation →50+ charts · ★ 4.8 on Udemy

Step 6: Put it together in a dashboard

One page that answers the questions people ask every month.

What to learn

  • Dashboard layout and design principles
  • KPIs, sparklines and conditional formats
  • Interactivity with slicers and form controls

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Dashboard & Data Analysis Masterclass →10 complete dashboards · ★ 4.5 from 7,580 ratings

Step 7: Automate data prep with Power Query and Power Pivot

Clean the data once, then refresh it for ever.

What to learn

  • Power Query: import, clean and combine files
  • Power Pivot: relationships and a data model
  • DAX measures for reports that recalculate themselves

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Power Query, Power Pivot, DAX & Power 3D Map →199 lessons · 17 hours

Step 8: Automate repetitive tasks

Stop doing the same steps every week.

What to learn

  • Recording and editing macros
  • VBA basics: variables, loops and buttons
  • Office Scripts for Excel on the web

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel Macros & VBA Programming for Beginners →No coding experience needed

Step 9: Work with AI in Excel

Let AI do the typing, and know how to check its work.

What to learn

  • Copilot in Excel and AI agents that edit your workbook
  • Writing prompts for formulas, cleaning and analysis
  • Checking AI results before you trust them

Free tutorials

Go deeper: Excel AI Agents: Copilot Agent Mode & Claude in Excel →New on Udemy

Where to go after Excel

Once the nine steps feel comfortable, these are the natural next moves.

Power BIInteractive reports, using the Power Query and DAX skills from step 7.Financial modelingStatements, project costing and DCF valuation, from a blank file.StatisticsUnderstand what your numbers really mean, in Excel.

Questions about learning Excel

How long does it take to learn Excel?

It depends on your goal. Most people can handle the basics and everyday formulas within a few weeks of regular practice. PivotTables, charts and dashboards take longer, and Power Query and VBA longer again. Work through the roadmap one step at a time and practise on real files.

Can I learn Excel for free?

Yes. Every step on this page links to free tutorials with videos and practice files. A full course helps when you want everything in order, with exercises, in one place.

What should I learn first in Excel?

Start with the basics in step 1, then the essential formulas in step 2. Almost everything else in Excel builds on those two. Not sure where you are now? Take the free Excel skill check.

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11 step-by-step courses on Excel, Power BI, Python and AI, all on Udemy with lifetime access.

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