Excel for Beginners (2026): Formulas, Charts and Data Basics
Short answer: Excel is a spreadsheet tool for storing, calculating and analysing data in rows and columns. As a beginner you only need a few things to be useful: how to enter and format data, the core formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, IF, COUNTIF, VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP), how to sort and filter, and how to make a simple chart and PivotTable. Excel is one of the most widely used workplace skills, especially in data, finance and operations, so it is well worth learning first.
Excel pairs naturally with SQL for data work. Once you are comfortable here, read SQL for beginners, and see how the two compare in Excel vs Power BI.
What is Excel used for?
Excel stores data in a grid of rows and columns and lets you calculate, analyse and present it. It is used across almost every industry for reporting, budgeting, tracking, quick analysis and dashboards. For anyone starting in data analytics, business or operations, Excel is usually the first tool employers expect.
The core features to learn first
| Feature | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Entering & formatting | Type data into cells and format it clearly | Numbers, dates, currency, headings |
| SUM / AVERAGE | Add up or average a range | =SUM(B2:B10) |
| IF | Return one value or another based on a condition | =IF(C2>100, “High”, “Low”) |
| COUNTIF / SUMIF | Count or add only rows that match | =COUNTIF(A2:A50, “Mumbai”) |
| VLOOKUP / XLOOKUP | Look up a value in another table | =XLOOKUP(E2, A:A, B:B) |
| Sort & Filter | Order and narrow your data | Sort by sales, filter by city |
| Charts | Turn numbers into a visual | Column, line or pie chart |
These cover most everyday tasks. Once they feel natural, you can move on to PivotTables and more advanced formulas.
Formulas: the heart of Excel
A formula always starts with =. You can do simple maths (=A1+B1), use functions (=SUM(A1:A10)), and combine them. Two ideas help early on: cell references (pointing a formula at other cells) and dragging a formula down a column to apply it to many rows. Learning to “think like Excel” with references is what turns a beginner into a confident user.
PivotTables and charts
A PivotTable summarises a large table in a few clicks — for example, total sales by city or count of orders by month — without writing formulas. Paired with a chart, it is how most quick reports are made. These two features alone make Excel feel powerful, so they are worth learning early after the basic formulas.
How to practise
- Get a small dataset (sales, expenses, or any list) into a sheet.
- Write
SUM,AVERAGEandIFformulas on it. - Sort and filter it, then make a chart.
- Build one PivotTable to summarise it.
- Repeat with new data until it feels easy.
Learn Excel at TryCatch Classes
TryCatch Classes’ Advanced Excel Training with AI takes you beyond the basics into advanced formulas, XLOOKUP and dynamic arrays, macros and VBA, PivotTables and charts, and financial modelling, with practical projects, resume building and interview preparation. Excel also features in our Data Analytics course. Learn at our Borivali West classroom or live online, with a 100% placement guarantee.
A note from Mehul Prajapati, Founder, TryCatch Classes
I have spent 18+ years in IT and training and have personally mentored 12,000+ students. If you are planning your next step in learning Excel and want a second opinion on your learning path, I am happy to help.
“The technology you learn today may change tomorrow, but your ability to learn will always be your biggest strength. Stay curious, keep upgrading yourself, and never stop growing.”
Message me on WhatsApp at +91 99301 12627 and tell me which blog you read. I would love to hear from you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Excel hard to learn for beginners?
No. The basics (entering data, SUM, AVERAGE, IF, sorting and filtering, a simple chart) take only a few days. More advanced features like PivotTables, XLOOKUP, macros and financial modelling take longer, with practice.
Do I still need Excel if I am learning data analytics?
Yes. Excel is usually the first tool employers expect, and it is widely used for quick analysis and reporting even in teams that also use SQL and Power BI. It is a strong foundation.
What are the most important Excel formulas to learn first?
SUM, AVERAGE, IF, COUNTIF/SUMIF and a lookup function (VLOOKUP or the newer XLOOKUP). With these plus sorting, filtering and PivotTables you can handle most everyday tasks.
Excel or Power BI, which should I learn first?
Excel first. It teaches the data fundamentals and is used everywhere, and Power BI builds naturally on that once you are comfortable. See our Excel vs Power BI comparison for details.
Cover image: photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash.
Keep reading
Data Analytics & BIData Analyst Interview Questions for Freshers (2026): With AnswersCommon data-analyst interview questions for freshers with short answers, grouped by SQL, Excel, statistics and metrics, visualisation and the case/behavioural round, plus how to prepare and…Data Analytics & BISQL for Beginners (2026): Write Your First Queries, Step by StepData Analytics & BIData Analyst vs Business Analyst (2026): Which Career Should You Choose?← Previous articleHow to Choose a UX/UI Design Course in Mumbai (2026): A Practical ChecklistNext article →How to Choose a Graphic Design Course in Mumbai (2026): A Practical Checklist