Excel: Refresh & New Features

Course Summary

This Excel Refresh course is a one-day intermediate training designed to modernise how participants work with Excel, focusing on faster, cleaner, and more reliable techniques. It reinforces existing knowledge while introducing newer capabilities such as dynamic arrays, XLOOKUP, and Power Query, with a strong emphasis on replacing manual, fragile processes with structured and efficient workflows. 

The content covers a range of essential areas including formulas and functions, Tables and dynamic arrays, data analysis with PivotTables, charts and visualisation, and productivity techniques. Topics include modern lookup methods, conditional calculations, text and date handling, clean data principles, PivotTable design, and effective chart selection. It also introduces tools like Power Query for repeatable data preparation and highlights the importance of structured references and dynamic formulas for scalable solutions.

A sample agenda for the course could include:

• Introduction and course overview
• Formulas and functions refresh
• Tables and dynamic arrays
• Data analysis and PivotTables
• Charts and visualisation
• Productivity techniques and shortcuts
• Q&A and wrap-up

Across all topics, the course emphasises practical improvements such as reducing manual work, improving spreadsheet clarity, and adopting consistent best practices. Participants leave with the ability to build more maintainable spreadsheets, analyse data more effectively, and apply shortcuts and habits that significantly increase day-to-day productivity.