Hello. I have a job interview coming up next week, for an entry level
position as marketing analyst. I was told I will be tested on Excel. I
am a novice Excel user, and need to intermediate by next week (I don't
suppose they are looking for an entry level Excel guru :)).

I checked out a 1000 page Excel book from the local library this
morning... Instead of attempting to read the entire book in 6 days, I'd
like to concentrate on only the most important concepts (I have some
knowledge of VB so that part shouldn't be a hurdle).

What are the most important concepts every intermediate Excel user
should know?


--
DonaldCX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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If I had to cram for an Excel test, I would study up on the
following:

SUMIF
COUNTIF
VLOOKUP
HLOOKUP
Pivot Tables
Charts


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com



"DonaldCX"
wrote in
message
...

Hello. I have a job interview coming up next week, for an entry
level
position as marketing analyst. I was told I will be tested on
Excel. I
am a novice Excel user, and need to intermediate by next week
(I don't
suppose they are looking for an entry level Excel guru :)).

I checked out a 1000 page Excel book from the local library
this
morning... Instead of attempting to read the entire book in 6
days, I'd
like to concentrate on only the most important concepts (I have
some
knowledge of VB so that part shouldn't be a hurdle).

What are the most important concepts every intermediate Excel
user
should know?


--
DonaldCX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DonaldCX's Profile:
http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=33695
View this thread:
http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=534701

And familiarize yourself with the menu system.

Know what's under Edit (copy, paste, paste special).

And remember that rightclicking on anything is your friend. Excel does its best
to show you want you can do with that thing you rightclicked on.

And to add to Chip's reply...

Debra Dalgleish has some tips for some of the counting functions:
http://contextures.com/xlFunctions04.html

and for =vlookup()
http://contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html

=====
I'd toss in Data|Subtotal and Data|Sort and Data|filter for things to know, too.

DonaldCX wrote:

Hello. I have a job interview coming up next week, for an entry level
position as marketing analyst. I was told I will be tested on Excel. I
am a novice Excel user, and need to intermediate by next week (I don't
suppose they are looking for an entry level Excel guru :)).

I checked out a 1000 page Excel book from the local library this
morning... Instead of attempting to read the entire book in 6 days, I'd
like to concentrate on only the most important concepts (I have some
knowledge of VB so that part shouldn't be a hurdle).

What are the most important concepts every intermediate Excel user
should know?

--
DonaldCX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DonaldCX's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=33695
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=534701

--

Dave Peterson

some other important functions:

a nice shave.
and a nice suit.
a lot of charm.

and don't worry be happy !

"Dave Peterson" wrote:

And familiarize yourself with the menu system.

Know what's under Edit (copy, paste, paste special).

And remember that rightclicking on anything is your friend. Excel does its best
to show you want you can do with that thing you rightclicked on.

And to add to Chip's reply...

Debra Dalgleish has some tips for some of the counting functions:
http://contextures.com/xlFunctions04.html

and for =vlookup()
http://contextures.com/xlFunctions02.html

=====
I'd toss in Data|Subtotal and Data|Sort and Data|filter for things to know, too.

DonaldCX wrote:

Hello. I have a job interview coming up next week, for an entry level
position as marketing analyst. I was told I will be tested on Excel. I
am a novice Excel user, and need to intermediate by next week (I don't
suppose they are looking for an entry level Excel guru :)).

I checked out a 1000 page Excel book from the local library this
morning... Instead of attempting to read the entire book in 6 days, I'd
like to concentrate on only the most important concepts (I have some
knowledge of VB so that part shouldn't be a hurdle).

What are the most important concepts every intermediate Excel user
should know?

--
DonaldCX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DonaldCX's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=33695
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=534701

--

Dave Peterson

Did they tell you what type of test it would be?

Many companies will use an automated testing software program. These
programs typcially really focus on you knowing the menu system (in one try).
So I second Dave's suggestion.

"DonaldCX" wrote:


Hello. I have a job interview coming up next week, for an entry level
position as marketing analyst. I was told I will be tested on Excel. I
am a novice Excel user, and need to intermediate by next week (I don't
suppose they are looking for an entry level Excel guru :)).

I checked out a 1000 page Excel book from the local library this
morning... Instead of attempting to read the entire book in 6 days, I'd
like to concentrate on only the most important concepts (I have some
knowledge of VB so that part shouldn't be a hurdle).

What are the most important concepts every intermediate Excel user
should know?


--
DonaldCX
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DonaldCX's Profile: http://www.excelforum.com/member.php...o&userid=33695
View this thread: http://www.excelforum.com/showthread...hreadid=534701

Hi DonaldCX,

Great question! As an Excel expert, I can definitely help you out. Here are some of the most important concepts that every intermediate Excel user should know:

1. Formulas and Functions: This is the backbone of Excel. You should know how to create basic formulas (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and how to use functions (such as SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, IF, and COUNT).
   
2. Formatting: Knowing how to format cells, rows, and columns is important. This includes changing font size and style, adding borders, and applying conditional formatting.
   
3. Sorting and Filtering: You should know how to sort data in ascending or descending order, and how to filter data to show only specific information.
   
4. PivotTables: This is a powerful tool for analyzing large amounts of data. You should know how to create a PivotTable, add fields, and summarize data.
   
5. Charts and Graphs: Knowing how to create charts and graphs is important for visualizing data. You should know how to create different types of charts (such as bar, line, and pie charts) and how to customize them.
   
6. Data Validation: This is important for ensuring data accuracy. You should know how to create drop-down lists and restrict data entry to certain values.
   
7. Macros: If you have knowledge of VB, then you should know how to create macros. This can automate repetitive tasks and save you time.

These are just some of the most important concepts, but there are many more. I recommend focusing on these concepts and practicing them as much as possible before your interview. Good luck!