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What Advanced Excel Skills Are Employers Looking For?

Are you an accountant, VBA projects developer, business analyst, data analyst or an auditor? Then having advanced excel skills is something that you should be looking into.

The increasing dependency on Excel, due to the world becoming a lot more data-driven, has increased the demand for Excel experts with these skills.

In addition to that, we can agree that the above-mentioned job roles require you to carry out data research or data analysis and will demand an advanced level of Excel expertise.

In order for you to remain an asset to your employer while you advance in your career, here are a couple of skills to ensure you have.

1. Data validation

This skill plays a significant role in financial modelling. You need to know how to apply data validation to input cells and how to use the indirect function to create an advanced listing.

2. Pivot tables

In Excel, this is a crucial tool for data summarization. You need to have a basic understanding on how to add/remove/refresh data in a pivot table. You should also know how to use calculated fields and pivot charts.

3. VBA & Macros

You need to have the knowledge on how to write a macro so as to automate you day to day work. VBAs on the other hand allow you to give instructions to Excel to get things done.

4. Keyboard Shortcuts

You have to remember that speed matters a lot when it comes to analytical work. The most efficient way to accelerate your speed is by learning some excellent keyboard shortcuts

5. Power Pivots

This is a powerful feature that connects your pivot tables with external databases and can be refreshed on cue. You need to learn this skill so as to deal with much larger data sets.

6. Advanced Charts

These are one of the most effective ways to display the data analysis that you have already done. Words and tables tell a story, but an image tells a thousand words. What you need to learn is how to pick the right chart, the ability to combine various charts into one and the ability to set up dynamic and interactive charts.

7. Conditional Formatting

This function changes the colour of a cell and its contents given a certain condition. Conditional formatting can be sophisticated but even the simplest colour changes can be hugely beneficial. For example, if you have volumes sold by sales staff each month. Just three clicks can reveal the top 10% of salespeople by performance. Imagine how impressed your employer would be if you readily presented this information.

8. Advanced Formulas

These formulas will help you to crunch data, analyse it and get answers to the most complex questions. What you will need to learn is not only how to use them but also how to debug them, audit them and which formula to use in which occasion.

In conclusion,

Do you have what it takes to take your career to the next level? If you don’t feel ready and would like to learn these skills, our team is offering Advanced Excel Training which you should feel free to join.