MS EXCEL Application in BA jobs!

Based on experience, proficiency in MS Excel is a must. In some companies, BA tasks and responsibilities encompasses data analysis using MS Excel and MiniTab for special data analysis, generation of reports, automation of trackers and templates using VBA (macros) for process efficiency and accuracy of reports.To set the proper expectation, some employers will require you to undergo a skills proficiency test to gauge your MS Excel skills.
You can be straightforward to the interviewer that you don't know everything about MS Excel but you are open minded and willing to undergo training if needed. This could be a weakness but you can turn this around by informing the interviewer that you are doing something to turn this weakness to a strength by studying. You Tube offers MS Excel tutorials if you need to harness your MS Excel skills. You can highlight your other skills to compensate for this.

In my previous team, not all BAs know how to do VBA and other MS Excel but these BAs have outstanding training, facilitation and public relation skills. They usually handle the client/stakeholders presentation and training. But of course, they also took the initiative to learn the needed MS Excel skills because they are not always conducting presentations and training.

The skill to get the job done is all that required. No one knows everything, but everyone knows something.


I come across with this course syllabus, it has basic, intermediate and advance levels -


Basic Level
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Introduction to Spreadsheets
Understanding Microsoft Excel
Excel Workbook Windows
Basic Spreadsheet Skills
Excel Help System
Opening and Closing Workbooks
Understanding Workbook File Formats
Creating New Workbooks
Selecting Cells
Auto Sum and Auto Fill Function
Cell Referencing and Request
Formatting Cells
Formatting Numbers
Placing Cell Alignment
Cell, Rows and Columns
Understanding Worksheets
Editing, Copying and Moving Cells
Page Layouts in Excel
Proofing Workbooks
Basic Options, Ribbons and Toolbar



Intermediate Level
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Introduction to Excel Spreadsheet Intermediate Level
Defining Names in Excel
Sorting Data
Using Excel Tables
Filtering Data in Excel
Understand Charts
Chart Design Options and Tools
Chart Format Tools
Combo Charts
Functions within Excel
Understanding Date Function
Information Functions
Logical Functions
Financial Functions
Find and Replace
Headers and Footers
Adding Comments
Conditional Formatting


Advanced Level
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Introduction to Excel Advanced
Using Text to Columns
The Paste Special Function
Data Validation
Subtotals and Grouping
Consolidating Data
Scenario Analysis
Data Tables in Scenario Analysis
What-if Analysis
Mats and Trig Functions
Text Functions in Excel
Using Lookup Functions
Vlookups
HLookups
Using Statistical Functions
Databse Functions
Formaula Auditing and Error Tracing
Hyperlinks in Excel
Linking Data
Understanding Pivot Tables
Using Pivot Charts
Workbook Properties
Protecting and Sharing Worksheets
Data Encrypting and Finalising Workbooks
Understanding to Macros
Custom Number Formats in Excel
Using Custom Lists
Working with Templates
Tracking Changes in Excel
Merging and Compare Excel Workbooks
Microsoft Excel Software


All the best!!