SLW#052 :Learn Excel the Smart Way

Detail is Easy, Simplicity is Hard

Mastering Excel can feel like learning a new language. The real challenge? Keeping it simple. Sure, you can dive into every feature and function, but the trick is finding what’s essential—and ignoring the noise. That’s where real productivity happens.

Free Isn’t Always Free

You could spend hours on free tutorials scattered across the internet. But here’s the catch: free can be costly. Every hour you spend scrolling through tutorials is time you could be using to actually learn Excel in a way that impacts your work. Watching 10,000 hours and gaining nothing? That’s an expensive lesson.

Effective Learning Has a Formula

When you see someone mastering Excel to tackle problems fast, it’s because they’ve invested time in key skills—not everything, just the essentials. I’ll show you exactly how to focus your efforts.

10 Essential Tips for Learning Excel Effectively

These steps are designed to help you build strong Excel skills on your own:

1. Master Core Functions First

• Focus on Essentials: Lookup functions like XLOOKUP, VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX + MATCH; Logical functions like IF, IFS, IFERROR, AND, OR; Text split functions such as TEXTSPLIT, TEXTBEFORE, TEXTAFTER; and calculation functions such as SUMIF, AGGREGATE, MAX, MIN are all must-knows.
• Plan Your Weeks: Dedicate specific weeks to mastering each function category, starting with the most useful for your current work tasks.

2. Practice with Real Data

• Get Real Data: Practicing with relevant data makes learning practical and engaging.
• Create a Practice Dataset: Use data from a real project, fictionalized if needed, and regularly update it to practice new functions.

3. Learn in Short, Consistent Bursts

• Stick to Daily Mini-Sessions: Spend 15-20 minutes daily on a new function or skill.
• Set Reminders: Set a daily reminder to review one new function, keeping a list of functions to check off as you go.

4. Create a Quick-Reference Guide

• Document Your Essentials: Jot down critical functions and shortcuts in a quick-reference guide.
• Organize by Category: Group your notes (e.g., data functions, shortcuts) for easier access when you need them.

5. Apply Skills Right Away

• Practice Each New Skill: Applying new functions in real projects solidifies learning.
• Log Your Use Cases: Record a real-world example for each function you learn and use it within a week to reinforce it.

6. Stick to Simple Charts for Visuals

• Start with Basics: Bar, line, and pie charts are straightforward and effective.
• Practice with Each Project: Create at least one simple chart per project to convey information clearly.

7. Use Excel Tables for Data

• Convert Data to Tables: This makes it easy to sort, filter, and update.
• Automate for Consistency: Start new projects with tables to keep data organized and accessible.

8. Memorize Keyboard Shortcuts

• Use High-Impact Shortcuts: Ctrl + C (copy), Ctrl + T (table), Alt + = (autosum) are time-savers.
• Add a Shortcut Daily: Incorporate a new shortcut every day to increase your speed.

9. Focus on One Task at a Time

• Set Specific Goals: Learn functions needed for a specific task, like building a dashboard.
• Write Down Your Weekly Goal: Define your Excel target and list only necessary skills.

10. Pick Just One or Two Learning Resources

• Limit Your Sources: Choose one or two reliable resources and stick to them for structure.
• Bookmark a Go-To Source: Choose a dependable YouTube channel or course to avoid resource overload.

The Faster, Structured Path to Excel Success

If you’re looking for a way to master Excel without wasting hours, I’ve built an online course for exactly this purpose. It’s a simple, one-course solution that takes you from beginner to advanced with clear, straightforward applications tailored for business needs.

Check out my signature course "Excel Analytics OS" here 

Final Thought: Treasure Your Time

Don’t let your Excel journey become a never-ending search for answers. With a clear plan and consistent practice, you can master the essentials and start using Excel in powerful ways that save you time. Every hour saved is an hour gained.

细节容易，简单才难

掌握Excel就像学一门新语言。真正的挑战？保持简单。你可以深入研究每个功能，但关键在于找到必要的内容，忽略那些无关的噪音。这样你才能真正提高效率。

“免费”其实并不免费

你可以在网上找到无数免费的教程，但免费并不代表没有成本。你花在教程上的每一个小时，都是你本可以用来学习对工作真正有用的时间。观看数千小时的教程却一无所获？那才是高成本的代价。

有效学习有公式

当你看到别人用Excel快速解决问题时，那是因为他们投入时间专注学习关键技能——不是全部，而是重点。我会告诉你如何集中精力学习。

Excel高效学习的10个要点

这些步骤可以帮助你自学，建立牢固的Excel技能：

1. 优先掌握核心函数

• 重点关注：查找函数如XLOOKUP、VLOOKUP、HLOOKUP、INDEX + MATCH；逻辑函数如IF、IFS、IFERROR、AND、OR；文本拆分函数如TEXTSPLIT、TEXTBEFORE、TEXTAFTER；计算函数如SUMIF、AGGREGATE、MAX、MIN等。
• 分周学习：为每个函数类别分配一周时间，从最适合当前工作需求的函数开始。

2. 使用真实数据练习

• 选择真实数据：使用与你工作相关的数据，能让学习变得实用且有趣。
• 创建练习数据集：使用项目中的数据（即使是虚构的），并定期更新，练习新的函数。

3. 短时、持续学习

• 每日简短学习：每天花15-20分钟学习一个新函数或技巧。
• 设置提醒：每天提醒自己复习一个新函数，记录一个函数清单，完成后打勾。

4. 创建快速参考指南

• 记录要点：记录关键的函数和快捷键，形成快速参考。
• 按类别组织：按类别分组（如数据函数、快捷键），方便快速查找所需内容。

5. 立即应用新技能

• 实际应用：在项目中应用新学到的函数，让学习扎实有用。
• 记录实例：每次学到新函数时，记录一个实际应用案例，并在一周内使用它以加深记忆。

6. 简单图表更有效

• 从基础图表开始：柱状图、折线图和饼图简单直观。
• 每个项目练习：每个项目至少创建一个简单图表，清晰传达信息。

7. 将数据转换为Excel表格

• 转换成表格：这让你更容易排序、筛选和更新数据。
• 自动化一致性：新项目开始时，将数据转换成表格，保持数据结构整齐可查。

8. 记住快捷键

• 高效快捷键：如Ctrl + C（复制）、Ctrl + T（表格）、Alt + =（自动求和）等可以省时。
• 每天增加一个快捷键：每天练习一个新快捷键，逐渐提高效率。

9. 一次专注一个任务

• 设定具体目标：学习特定任务所需的函数，比如建立一个仪表板。
• 写下每周目标：定义你的Excel目标，并列出仅此任务所需的技能。

10. 只选择一两个学习资源

• 限制资源：选择一到两个可靠的资源并坚持使用，保持学习结构清晰。
• 书签保存可靠资源：选择一个可靠的YouTube频道或课程，避免信息过载。

更快、更系统的Excel学习路径

如果你想高效掌握Excel而不浪费时间，我创建了一个在线课程，就是为此设计的。这是一个简单的课程，从入门到进阶，提供清晰、实用的业务应用。

查看我的旗艦课程 “Excel Analytics OS"  

總結：珍惜你的时间

不要让你的Excel学习成为一个无尽的搜索。清晰的计划和持续的练习，可以帮助你掌握关键技能，让Excel在你的工作中发挥强大作用。节省每一个小时，都是赚到的时间。