Excel Introduction

Course Overview

Build a solid Excel foundation using correct methods from day one.
This course introduces Microsoft Excel from the ground up. It focuses on how Excel should be used in a business setting, not shortcuts or bad habits. Learners gain the core skills needed to create clean, accurate, and usable spreadsheets that can be built on in later training. This is an essential starting point for anyone who wants reliable, transferable Excel skills.

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Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for:
• Individuals with little or no formal training in Excel
• Participants who have only used Excel for basic data entry
• Administrative professionals, office staff, or support personnel working with spreadsheets or reports
• Anyone who wants to learn Excel properly using business best practices

Required Knowledge:
• Basic computer literacy (keyboard, mouse, file handling)
• No prior experience with Microsoft Excel is required

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What You Will Learn

Core Excel Skills
• Navigate the Excel interface confidently
• Understand the difference between a spreadsheet and a database
• Enter and edit data accurately in cells
• Insert, delete, and adjust rows and columns
• Copy, move, and manage data across worksheets

Formatting for Presentation
• Apply font, alignment, number, and border formatting
• Manage cell styles and worksheet layout
• Create headers and footers
• Use Freeze Panes to lock key rows or columns

Introduction to Calculations
• Write basic formulas using arithmetic operators
• Use AutoSUM to create totals
• Understand relative cell referencing and how formulas behave when copied

Visualising Data
• Create basic charts: Pie, Column, Line, and Mixed
• Choose appropriate chart types for different data sets

Sorting and Filtering
• Perform single-level sorting (ascending and descending)
• Apply multi-level sorting
• Retrieve records using AutoFilter, Custom Filter, and Advanced Filter

Preparing for Output
• Configure page layout and print settings
• Save files in different formats, including .xlsx, .csv, and .pdf

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Exclusions:

This course does not cover:
• IF functions, logical formulas, or lookups
• Tables, PivotTables, or data models
• Conditional Formatting
• Absolute or mixed cell referencing
• Power Query, Power Pivot, or macros
• Advanced charting or dashboard design
These topics are covered in higher-level courses.

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Key Learning Outcomes

At the end of this training, you should know how to:
• Work confidently within the Excel interface
• Create structured, readable spreadsheets
• Enter, format, and manage data correctly
• Write simple formulas that behave as expected
• Sort, filter, and present data for basic reporting
• Prepare worksheets for printing and sharing

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Delivery Format

This is a classroom-based course. Each participant will have access to a fully equipped workstation with Microsoft Excel installed. The instructor will guide the course using live demonstrations, practical exercises, and real-time feedback.
Training Environment Includes:
• Individual PCs with Microsoft Excel (Office 365 or Excel 2021 or later)
• Course materials and online notes
• Comfortable classroom setting conducive to learning

Participants are not required to bring their own laptop.

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Recommended Progression Pathway

After completing this course, learners should consider:
• Microsoft Excel, Level 2 – Intermediate
• Excel Tables and Data Management
• Excel Formulas and Functions (Foundation)
These courses build directly on the skills introduced in Level 1.

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Learner Support

Participants will have indefinite online access to all practice files and notes at https://www.dti.ie. Email support will also be offered on items covered during this course at support@dti.ie.

Best Course Ever!

Hi Gary Thanks very much for yesterday it was great, the course content and the way you delivered it was top class . We all agreed it was the best course we were ever on...