Excel Intermediate

Course Overview

Move beyond basic spreadsheets and start using Excel as a proper business analysis tool.
This course builds directly on the foundations established in Level 1. It focuses on understanding how Excel works, not just which buttons to press. Learners move from simple data entry into structured calculations, logical decision-making, and efficient data handling. The emphasis is on accuracy, consistency, and scalability—skills required to work confidently with real-world business spreadsheets created by others.

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Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:
• Existing Excel users with working knowledge of data entry, formatting, and basic formulas
• Professionals who regularly work with spreadsheets created by others and need to understand or manage the logic within them
• Users who want to reduce manual work and apply functions, references, and data logic correctly
• Anyone preparing to progress toward advanced Excel, reporting, or data analysis work

Required Knowledge:

Participants must:
• Be comfortable navigating the Excel interface
• Know how to enter, edit, and format data
• Understand and create basic arithmetic formulas
• Be familiar with basic chart creation and worksheet layout
• Have completed Microsoft Excel, Level 1 – Introduction or possess equivalent experience

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What You Will Learn

Function Structure & Referencing
• Understand the structure of Excel functions (syntax, arguments, and return values)
• Master relative vs. absolute cell referencing and when to use each
• Apply mixed references in practical calculations
• Link data across worksheets and between workbooks

Logical & Lookup Functions
• Use the IF function to apply conditional logic
• Apply XLOOKUP as a modern, reliable replacement for VLOOKUP
• Use SUMIF, SUMIFS, COUNTIF, and COUNTIFS for conditional calculations

Date & Error Handling Functions
• Perform date-based calculations using functions such as TODAY()
• Handle errors using IFERROR and ISERROR
• Understand common formula error messages and how to resolve them

Working with Structured Data
• Design and manage Excel Tables for structured, expandable data
• Understand the practical difference between a spreadsheet and a database
• Use Dynamic Arrays and functions such as UNIQUE, SORT, and FILTER

Data Cleaning & Text Manipulation
• Clean and standardise text using LEFT, RIGHT, MID, TRIM, CLEAN
• Change text case using UPPER, LOWER, and PROPER
• Combine text using CONCAT and TEXTJOIN
• Use COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTBLANK, MAX, MIN, and AVERAGE for analysis

Conditional Formatting
• Apply rules-based formatting to highlight trends and exceptions
• Use formula-driven conditional formatting for dynamic results
• Build clear, meaningful visual indicators within data

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Exclusions:

This course does not cover:
• PivotTables or PivotCharts
• Advanced statistical or financial modelling
• Power Query or Power Pivot
• DAX calculations or data models
• Macros or VBA automation
• Dashboard design or advanced visual analytics
These topics are addressed in higher-level or specialist courses.

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Key Learning Outcomes

At the end of this training, you should know how to:
• Write structured, reliable formulas using correct references
• Apply logical and lookup functions to solve business problems
• Work confidently with dates, errors, and formula logic
• Design and manage structured Excel Tables
• Clean, analyse, and highlight data using built-in Excel tools
• Understand and safely modify spreadsheets created by others

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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 3 – Advanced
• Excel PivotTables and Reporting
• Excel Formulas and Functions (Advanced)
• Power Query for Excel
These courses extend Level 2 skills into automation, reporting, and advanced data analysis.
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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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this intermediate level Excel course - it was the best course that I have undertaken and would highly recommend DTI for anyone looking to improve their understanding and general usage of Excel. Thank you Gary!