How to Choose the Right Excel Training for You and Your Team

Having worked in this industry for the last 25 years I have overseen literally tens of thousands of trainees through our Microsoft Excel Training Classes, so I thought a little comparison style blog on training methods was long overdue. Hopefully this will help you to make an informed decision when it comes to your or your company's Excel training needs. 

First off and importantly, MS Excel is one of the most popular business software tools used in the world today. And if we really want to split hairs and be factually correct and unambiguous, the most popular tool is in fact Microsoft 365 (formally Office 365) which includes Excel – this suite boasts over a billion installations worldwide! It grows every year and it's not going anywhere. Even AI uses and chooses to integrate with Excel to automate calculations, analyze trends, and even optimize data workflows - but we'll save 'AI and Excel, a marriage made in Cyberspace' for another blog.  

The majority of Excel users utilize less than 5% of the program, which always surprises me, considering the vast treasure trove of features and tools that are available and can be easily accessed to boost productivity and business processes. That tells us that 95% of Excel’s incredibly helpful features remain unused or misunderstood and are literally left on the table, like a big Excelephant in the room! (sorry, couldn't resist). 

So, how do we know what we don’t know and how do we access them? Well, that’s where we come in, we offer Excel training (amongst other computer and business skills training classes) that covers all the essential features, the latest tricks and shortcuts, advanced techniques and everything you need to know to get to that elusive 100% all-encompassing Excel knowledge. And with a little post training practice, you’ll go from a “Huh?” to a “Aha!”, whilst your productivity soars and your income potential goes through the roof (have a peek here on the types of job positions and levels of salary you could be accessing with Excel proficiency). 

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the different learning methods, exploring the unique value of each option, and discover why in-person training might just be the hidden treasure you’ve been looking for.

The Spectrum of Excel Training Options

There are 4 main training options when it comes to Microsoft Excel.

1. Video-based Training

While this field of training has exploded with the rise of the internet, it has been around for a long time, with options like ordering CDs containing recorded Excel training videos.

The key benefits of this type of learning – is that they’re budget friendly, and can be watched at your own time and pace, making it suitable to after hours and weekend learning. 

Students have the option of pause, rewind, or they can speed up lessons based on their needs and can learn from the comfort of their home or workspace.

The downside of this training is that without structured class times, procrastination is a real issue, with students struggling to complete the learning.

And without live trainers, students are unable to ask questions so they get stuck and often give up.

2. Online Live Excel Training

Here you learn Excel in real-time with live instructors from the comfort of your couch (pajamas optional but not encouraged).

This is the next best thing to in-person instructor-led training. All you need is a computer with Excel installed and decent internet connection.

Classes are typically taught using Microsoft Teams or Zoom and are interactive with students able to ask questions and completing practice labs.

Companies with staff in multiple locations can benefit from this sort of training – as trainees can connect remotely from different locations, reducing the need to travel to the same location, whilst still benefiting from group training rates. 

Training Connection offers both public live online Excel classes, if you want to register 1 or 2 trainees, as well as private group online Excel classes.

While online training is convenient, virtual high-fives can’t replace the energy of an in-person learning environment.

3. In-Person Training

This is what is referred to as traditional classroom-based training. For example, we have training center in Downtown Los Angeles where we run public Excel classes every month.

Students can enroll in Introductory, Intermediate or Advanced classes that are taught by live face-to-face trainers. Class sizes are small averaging around 7-8 trainees, and come with benefits such as a money back guarantee and a free repeat.

Free repeats are particularly useful in case you need a refresher a few months after your initial class, so make sure that these are included before registering for a class (ours are automatically included).

The biggest benefit of In-Person Excel Training is knowledge retention.

Research published in the Journal of Educational Technology Systems reported that participants who attended in-person training sessions experienced significantly higher knowledge gains compared to those in online sessions.

Source: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08923647.2022.2029090#d1e935

While it may not be as cost-effective as video-based training, the saying holds true: ‘you get what you pay for’. When investing in education for yourself or your staff, it's essential to prioritize the highest quality learning that fits within your budget.

4. Group Onsite Training

This is where an expert Excel trainer visits your workplace to deliver in-person training. If you have a team of Excel users looking to upskill but still want high-quality, face-to-face training, this is an excellent option.

One of the biggest advantages of private group training is the ability to customize the curriculum. This is especially beneficial if you want to combine topics from different Excel courses we offer.

From a pricing standpoint, group training is highly cost-effective, providing in-person instruction at a value comparable to video-based training.

Additionally, group training can serve as a team-building experience. Employees often appreciate a break from their usual work routine, and the interactive learning environment fosters camaraderie and boosts workplace morale.

Summary

Each training option has its own perks, and choosing the right format will ultimately depend on a number of factors, such as your budget, your discipline for self-study, the no. of trainees involved, location of the trainees etc.

That said, in-person sessions offer an unmatched learning experience that online alternatives struggle to achieve. The combination of face-to-face interaction, instant feedback, and collaborative exercises creates an environment where both skills and professional relationships flourish.

Our Choice: First Prize: In Person Classroom Based Excel Training. Second Prize: Onsite Excel Training Classes.

For more information about Excel Training options please visit our website or give us a call on 310.909.8606.